Learning and schools

6/25/2021 (Permalink)

Did you know that SERVPRO helps schools stay up to code with clean healthy environments for your children. We will even respond to emergency clean up situations.  Having seen in recent news the fly infestation that occurred at a local Chelsea School we were compelled to spread the word.

We can give schools a once over deep cleaning after summer breaks or vacation weeks to make sure that students come back to a fresh clean environment ideal for learning. If your school has recently updated its equipment or has a lot of broken desks and older books to get rid of let us know we can haul it away to free up more space for learning. Did one of the kids in protest vandalize the school in some way in protest of an event that occurred at the school let us know and we will respond to quickly get you cleaned up and back to normal learning . Prolonged distractions can be detrimental to the education process and even emotionally upset students if it was derogatory.      

Smell something funny, see something on a wall that does not look just right, or some new visitors that you know should not be there. Well we are here to tell you if you can see it, smell it or even hear it the problems is far worse than what is within the range of our senses.  It is very critical that you call in professionals to detect not only the immediate problem but also have the knowledge to detect the root reason that the problem exists in the first place. 

Let me explain, with the case of the Chelsea school the problem was a fly infestation. They did not just appear for no reason. They had to have a ripe environment with an adequate food and water source, and an over abundance of sewer water was just the thing. The flies were not really the problem a broken sewer pipe was. Having gone undetected for an undetermined amount of time allowed for the flies to blossom and become the major issue that it was forcing a school closure.

 We see this all too often within businesses and a lot of damage can occur from not having an assigned person trained to look for the subtle signs that prevent a much larger issue.  Dedicating one person to do a once over the entire building daily and making notations of any odors, visual changes, as well as any animal or insect changes is pivotal to building health.

Along with several incidents of that same person not having the authority or not knowing what to do if there are changes to the environment. Emergency Ready Plans for businesses guide the individuals on the front lines through policy, procedures and protocols to make sure that issues are addressed quickly and correctly. They can be customized to the needs of your facility and can include evacuation routes and meeting points. Main points of contact in case of an emergency and closest emergency service locations can also be included. As a preparedness plan I ask you, if you asked your primary team where the water and electrical shut valves were for the building will they be able to tell you? Most will not our preparedness plan will put all that information at your fingertips from where ever you are.

It is a mobile app that will keep each locations information separated as well right at your fingertips. The best part is it can be shared with whomever you would like to share it with so long as they download the app to their phone. A version that can be edited is available to the key players while a non-editable version can be sent out to local managers.

No one plans for an emergency but having a plan in place and having people that know what to do should an emergency arise can be the difference between a slight issue and a major emergency. Working with a company whose network spans the country ensures 24 hours 7 days a week availability and response time mitigates the damages and provides solid clear cut direction for your staff.

Our staff is trained to clean and sanitize building materials, surfaces and contents following the restoration industry standards along with using FDA registered cleaners and disinfectants. Bleach does not get it done on pesky situations. Call the professionals at SERVPRO of East Boston to ensure your next problem does not become a major problem.

Boston ready!

4/1/2021 (Permalink)

Is Boston Ready for the next major storm and what is it doing to prepare for the rising tides. A town almost entirely built through human design in the middle of a bay is subjected to the ebb and flow of the tide more than most and its lack of elevation adds to the problem. To better understand this problem let us take a quick look at the history of Boston and how it came to be.

Tidal flats were filled in to create shipping ports. They were filled in with rocks, dirt and yes trash. A lot of the quaint neighborhoods such as the Back Bay, East Boston, Charlestown and the South End were built on landfills. I know shocking right. Needless to say, they are low-lying areas susceptible to the rising seas. Even the airport used to be a collection of 5 islands filled in to serve a purpose.

Ok so that is a very quick back story so what dangers does this possess. To understand this, you need to know how high everything is. At best Boston is considered 14 meters above sea level, with many spots being directly at sea level. In recent years and by recent we mean the last century sea levels have risen 28 centimeters. There is talk about as much as a 3 meter rise due to greenhouse gases by 2100. This puts Boston in line to be one of the top 10 most vulnerable cities in the world.

You just did the math the city is still not underwater. Well let us take a look at high tides, storm surges and damage than can result from it. Storm surge tides are on the rise just ask an adjacent town like Winthrop or Dorchester about high tides during storms. These homes have been damaged in recent years resulting catastrophic damage.

Homes built at sea level, condos below grade even by as little as a half an inch are being denied coverage or being subjected to very limited coverage. So limited in fact it is only the drywall being covered for demolition and replacement. Often we are seeing that none of the contents, electrical systems, plumbing,  insulation, flooring is being covered. This is very stressful for all involved. Especially since the corrosive nature of salt water is that more damaging than traditional water damage.

Understanding your policies and exclusionary clauses as flood plains are redrawn is essential FEMA has a flood map page where you can input your address and get a quick assessment of your homes risk. This will allow you to prepare for upcoming storms and possibly reassess your coverage for insurance.

NOAA estimates from May of 2019 to April of this year 2020 there will be 12-19 flooding events. How many have you already seen? Boston is working hard to prepare for these events. They have developed a Climate preparedness plan. There is a website you can follow and stay up to date on the latest meetings, proposals and individual neighborhoods plans for their specific needs. This website is full of reports, strategies, design and technology initiatives.

The city needs your help be it actively attending meetings to keep pulse with the changes and provide input on the impact these plans could have on your daily living. There are surveys for various community projects that will provide developers with real world feedback on things like commuting challenges projects may pose. We all know you want to be heard about the increased commuting problems.

 We at SERVPRO of East Boston, Chelsea, & Revere see firsthand effects from these flooding events. We see the devastation that they cause, and we are seeing increasing restrictions on insurance coverage from these events. We have also seen Facebook pages dedicated to community discussions as well as grassroots efforts to find solutions to pollution. Keeping pollution out of the streets and in the trash barrels where they belong will ensure sewer drains maintain the flow of water. Less clogging means less flooding. We can all make a difference in how climate change affects our communities.

Steps in the Emergency restoration process

4/1/2021 (Permalink)

Everyone company wants to get back to normal as soon as possible, with as little cost and intrusion into their life as possible. Guess what??? That expectation is the worst way to approach this kind of water loss. While it sounds great what is the big deal. Let us explore the things that can happen when you actually move too quickly.

Having anything submerged in water means it was able to saturate. Saturated clothing can be wrung out but is still wet at the fiber level. Guess what wood does the same thing. Unlike clothing wood structures cannot be thrown into a dryer. That is right inside those beams are still wet. Behind that wall is soaked, oh your home is insulated yeah that’s wet too. That beautiful wood floor is sitting on a subfloor that space is wet too. However will you get it dry. Well if you do not have high powered fans and commercial grade dehumidifiers it can take months yes months to air dry.

Aside from the fact that everything is wet, said you were flooded right? Guess what dispite what you think flood water is not clean. At all!!!! It is flooded because the water did not have a normal place to drain. Where does most city water drain into??? That is right the sewer system.. Sooo if you are flooded because the sewer system is not working that is right folks you have been flooded with sewer water.

CHECK FIRST

• Is mold already growing
• Is electricity on & active ( Never walk through water to power off electricity)
• Check for gas leaks
• Is the structure safe
• Wear protective eye glasses, Shoes and gloves and respirator if you suspect mold.
• Do not mix chemicals the vapors can be deadly ( Especially Bleach and Vinegar)

Step by Step guide:

• Get to safety: If the rain has stopped flooding is still possible as the water drains from some areas and into others. Makes sure you stay safe. Once it is safe to do so start assessing the personal damage you have incurred.
• Insurance: Most people have home owners insurance. Guess what they do not cover flood insurance so start there. If you were flooded and do not have flood insurance you are on your own. Even if you do it is your responsibility to keep the home safe and reduce damages as much as you can. Which means you cannot wait to hear from the insurance company. Should you get mold or rot from waiting most likely it will not be covered due to the fact that it is considered secondary damage. Meaning it would not occur if you had started to clean up immediately.

The clean up: What can you do before the adjuster arrived from the insurance company.

1. Take pictures of everything, before you or anyone do any work what so ever.
2. Clean up areas of the house so that wall, and floor damage can be easily seen.
3. There can be hidden damage, such as behind the walls so it will be reassessed as work begins.
4. Reach out to government agencies for potential assistance for aid. ( Please note that a federal disaster must be declared for you to apply for this type of assistance.
5. Hire an electrician to come in and assess the safety of electrical system of the home. This will tell you what is safe and not safe to turn on ( Never turn on equipment that was submerged any salvageable items could spark and become a total loss)
6. Check with the local town to see if the water is safe to use or if it was adversely affected by the flood waters.
7. Go through your food and make sure you throw out anything not in a metal can. Make sure you get rid of the labels and get new ones. To identify the food later. The cans must be washed if you are going to keep them . o.
8. All your silverware and utensils have to be cleaned and sorted. Wood, plastic or anything no metal or ceramic needs to go
9. Cut and remove walls ( Even if they do not look damaged)
   1. If you see a water line ..Cut the wall at a minimum of 2 feet above that line.
   2. Remove insulation and yes throw it away.
   3. Take off the base boards , they may be able to be dried and saved but at least removing them assured they are not holding in moisture.
10. It is recommended anything that cannot be dry cleaned should be thrown away. This includes but is not limited to furniture, clothing, and blankets.
    1. Carpets must be pulled up and while the carpet may be able to be cleaned and dried the pad cannot so throw that way.. Do not re-attach the carpet before the floor it sits on is fully dry ( Yes we have to say that again) To avoid any issues make sure that you do this within 48hrs after the water goes down so that it does not have a chance to grow anything it should not be growing ( which is anything)
11. Flooring: Be it if you have wood, vinyl, laminate or tile if it was submerged in flood water it really has to go.
    1. If you are not sure if the tile or its adhesive is asbestos get it tested.
    2. If it is a painted surface and you are not sure about the presence of Lead that too should be tested.
    3.             This step while will be a bit of a delay keeps you, your family and the workers safe.
12. Subfloors: Guess what your floors sit on a floor and regardless of what sort of main floor you have most of the time the subfloor is plywood and will be affected by the water. The top floor must be removed so that this level of floor can dry fully. Make sure you do not have any buckling before you put a new floor on top once it is dry. If so you may need to replace that.
13. Set up fans and Dehumidifiers to created a vortex to encourage drying. Proper fan positioning and temperature regulation will speed up the drying process.
14. ****BLEACH**** DOES NOT KILL MOLD… PERIOD….
15. If you see mold… There is a very specific process that must be followed. The most important step is to NOT spread the spores all over the house. So DO NOT VACCUM them unless you have a hepa-vaccum.

Contact a professional and keep in mind this is not a two or three day process. Have the right expectations going in to this. It will ease your mind and reduce the amount of stress that you have. Expecting something to be done to fast can result in long term damage that will cost more. It will also put undue stress on all involved. Take a step back and know that it could be a month or even more depending on how extensive the damage is.

Water Power Unite!!

4/1/2021 (Permalink)

Water is not always bad. 

Modular hydropower

While existing hydropower is among the least expensive sources of electricity, building a new plant can be expensive. Modern technologies are needed to reduce installation and civil works costs. One potential answer is modular hydropower, which uses separate, similar components that can be constructed off-site then easily integrated into new or existing sites and scaled to greater capacities.

Modular hydropower systems for non-powered dams and other untapped sites can lower construction costs and reduce environmental impacts. For example, a 24-foot long and 16-foot high prototype dam, composed of six precast blocks, was built in Massachusetts as part of the HydroNext Initative in order to lower cost, improve performance, and promote environmental stewardship of hydropower development.

Powering non-powered dams

Today hydropower is the largest renewable energy source in the U.S. Still, tens of thousands of dams across the country don’t produce power. Adding generation equipment to these sites could add up to 12 GW of new hydropower capacity to the grid, and using existing dam infrastructure can lower construction costs and reduce permitting time—meaning hydropower is added to the grid faster. Because 49% of hydropower capacity is owned by the U.S. Government, federal dams represent a big opportunity to develop non-powered dams. 

Pumped-storage hydropower

Pumped storage house (PSH) works like a big battery. It pumps water to a higher elevation, which can then be released at any time to turn turbines and meet energy demand. As the largest form of utility-scale energy storage, PSH helps stabilize America’s power grid. It can respond quickly to grid instability or power outages and balance variable generation, such as from wind and solar. The country’s 42 PSH plants help make the electric grid reliable and resilient, but Energy Department-funded research shows we can add even larger amounts of new, flexible, low-cost PSH.

Tidal energy

Tides occur worldwide, but making electricity out of them requires a 16 foot difference  between low and high tides. While there are no permanent tidal power plants in the United States yet, conditions are good for tidal power generation in the Pacific Northwest and the Atlantic Northeast regions. The Energy Department has funded research to develop new ways to install, maintain, and decommission tidal power plants. Recently, the Energy Department continued funding for Verdant Power, Inc. to optimize a way to deploy and retrieve three tidal turbines together as a single system with one on-water operation without diver support.

Wave Energy

Ocean waves pack immense energy. The challenge for scientists—and a focus of the Energy Department—is developing technology that can safely, reliably, and cost-effectively convert wave energy into usable electricity. But once that’s done, the potential for wave energy to supply power to major cities and distributed applications—like naval bases, desalination plants, and subsea data centers—is high. To address this challenge, the Energy Department-funded the Wave energy prize, an 18-month public competition, that ended with prize winner AquaHarmonics demonstrating a five-fold increase in the energy capture potential of their MHK device—which the two-person team built in a garage. 

Fire Safety

4/1/2021 (Permalink)

It is that time of the year again, fires lots of fires.

Let us have a real talk about the power cords, extension cords, outlet plugs, and power strips. They are not the same thing and they are not meant to be plugged into each other. The only time a power strip can have an extension cord plugged into it is when it has been hard wired into the system.

Power strips/ surge protectors/ Hard wired power strips: They are different. But we use them for the same purpose added outlets and to extend the reach of our outlets to something further away. There are some precautions that many do not know or tend to ignore for convenience. Two different types of power are drawn from various equipment high power and low power. High power equipment tends to be stuff that turns one and off ovens, toasters, coffee pots, microwaves, space heaters, refrigerators etc. Low powered equipment tends to be more steady with its power use. Computers, cell phones, Radios, TV’s etc. Know what you are trying to plug in and make sure that you stay safe.

Extension cords: We all use them. Are we using them properly? Most likely NO. Did you know they are not meant for long term use. There is also a purpose to that pesky 3^rd prong on the end. The one that many of you cut off. It is a grounding wire. Ok so you didn’t break it off on purpose. It got stepped on by accident and broke off. The fact that it is missing renders the cord no good. The equipment and items that are plugged into it are not grounded. (We will get into that later) If the extension cord is not being used do not leave it plugged in. It too can not handle high powered equipment.

3 prong vs 2 prong: OK this is a simple visual but has lasting consequences. So you have a wall plug that allows only 2 prong devices. You bought one of those 3 prong adapters, and it has that weird metal thing that you have no idea why it is there. So you plug it into the outlet plug in your device and carry on with your day. Guess what that’s wrong. That little metal piece has a purpose. You are supposed to plug the adapter in such a fashion that the metal piece hangs over the screw in the middle. You are supposed to remove the screw and secure this metal hook to the faceplate. That is what converts it to a grounded outlet. ( MIND BLOWN>>>WE KNOW)

Overloading: This is another step that many ignore. They think because they have space left on the power strip they can keep plugging things in. Or if they have something like Christmas lights they can connect an infinite number of strings together to get from one side to the other. You have to take into account the capacity load that the strip can take and how much energy each piece of equipment that is being plugged is going to draw. This will avoid over loading not only the strip or power cord but also the outlet. Many outlets are tied to others and do not run on an independent power source. Understanding how everything is connected can cut down on electrical issues.

Frayed cords ( NO duct tape is not a proper fix) Before you use any electrical cords, power cords, power strips, even the cords to the items you are trying to use. It is important to inspect them. Items that have been stored could have cracked or become frayed from age. They could have been gnawed at by an animal over the course of being stored. Place duct tape over the cord does not make it safe. Will it make the item work? Probably but it is NOT safe.

Grounding: So if you are not sure what grounding is or why it is important. It gives electrical surges a place to go other than into your home or office. Providing pathways for it to travel that are safe and less conductive. Easy enough. OK so your building or home is not properly grounded. What does that mean? It means all metal becomes a conductor. You along with the static in the air also becomes a conductor. In a power surge situation the energy will escape into the building. Your body can become the conductor as electrical currents flow through easily. Fires start more easily, electrical noises increases, as does the risk of electrical shock. The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) states that "better than 80% of all electronic system failures that are attributed to power anomalies are actually the result of electrical wiring or grounding errors or are generated by other loads within the customer's facility.

Being electrician is not for everyone. It is also not a part time hobby like a handy-man. Make sure that you are hiring a properly license and certified electrician. For those basics around the house have a light understanding of how all of your various options work. This will keep you and everyone in your home safe.

Fire at a local Boston restaurant

4/1/2021 (Permalink)

There was a kitchen fire at a local Irish pub in Boston. It was an electricial fire that caused fire damages to immediate areas and soot and smoke damage to the entire structure. 

The crew arrived quickly and demo'd the area was severely affected by the fire. While there was a fire there was also water damage from the fire department extinguishing the fire. The crew has extract the water in the basement. The set up drying equipment for a three day dry out. Throughtout this process there was strong communication with the owners/ insurance company. 

After day one, a full structural cleaning was performed to eliminate any evidence of  any fire/water damage. Also, we cleaned all the contents, such as: glassware, bottles, tables, chairs, light fixtures, which you can imagine in a restaurant is a large job. This process is very tentious to ensure the cleaniness and the restaurant being restored to full function. 

The restaurant was up in running within a week. Incuded in the was the rebuild team to repair damaged areas.

We know it's important to get back to business and our priority is meet their needs. Please entrust SERVPRO with all your restoration needs.

Sensitivity during hard times.

4/1/2021 (Permalink)

When tragic events happen in and around your home it is never pleasant and very hard to emotionally recover from. These are never high on the list for topics of conversation and many feel isolated with the stigma associated with some of them. They are however a very real scenes for far too many people in the area. We want everyone to know we too are sensitive to these issues and can help your home get back to normal as quickly as possible .

When someone passes away in a home there is so much sadness it can be hard to see past the loss. However when you realize that you are here and must begin to heal, there is a lot of work that needs to be done. Many times there is a lot of clean up that occurs. Death of a family member can be a very messy process as many muscles relax that were holding in a variety of fluids. There may also be a great deal of items that need to be disposed of. Ease the process by hiring a professional cleaning service. They have the chemicals and the proper knowledge of handling of any potentially contaminated materials.

Sadly in East Boston, Chelsea, Charlestown, Revere and Winthrop area we see daily overdoses and suicides on the rise. These overdoses are never pretty and come with a lot of vomit, urine, feces, many times blood and feces. All of these materials are very hazardous and it is not recommended that you clean them up yourself. Getting help right away is very important and can save lives. We always encourage that if you see something say something. You never know the life you may save. That being said once the ambulance has gone there will still be a big mess to clean up. Do not touch any of the bodily fluids without protective gloves, face masks, goggles and a suit if possible. Is it highly recommended that you call a professional as there are a lot of germs that you cannot see that are not killed with things like bleach and other consumer grade cleaners.

Another thing that sadly occurs in this area, are a lot of violent crimes. These crimes could be domestic disputes or could result from an argument at a party. No matter their reason there is a great deal of damage that can occur. Items within the home could be broken beyond salvation. Injured people could have moved to various rooms within the home trying to stay safe. This can result in a very large clean up project coupled with some bodily fluids that need to be handled with care. Once the police have conducted their investigation and released the scene. Please make sure you call a professional who is capable a full rounded cleaning and disposal of any of the residual effects of the problem. Have a restored home can do wonders on the healing from any traumatic events that may occur.

Remembering that you are not alone when there is a traumatic event in your life is paramount to healing and moving forward. We will be here for you through the tough times and help you where we can. Creating a community of support and developing strong bonds with our neighbors will hopefully begin to reduce the number of overdoses, domestic disturbances, violent crimes and deaths that occur. Until then one home at the time is our mission to restore and hopefully rejuvenate the community.

Commercial Water loss

4/1/2021 (Permalink)

When water begins leaking – even small leaks in areas you can’t see inside could quickly become a source of stress. The possibility of mold, rot and unseen damage may affect the value of your home and the health of loved ones. Professionals understand how disruptive water damages can be for your business and will help ensure the water is identified, regardless of where it hides. That’s why we offer 24-hour emergency response by trained, uniformed restoration professionals. With top-of-the line equipment and time-tested cleanup and restoration techniques, and have the expertise to help make your house feel like home again.

After all, when it comes to your business even a small disaster can feel like a huge problem. So if water damage occurs in your business just call a professional and get the job done right the first time.

The professionals you call should be able offer the following. Please keep in mind these professionals while adept at water damage and clean up they are not plumbers and cannot fix the underlying cause of the water.

Identify the Source/Type of Water.

Measure Temperature and Humidity for Drying Analysis.

Survey the Extent of Damage and Inspect the Premises For Hidden Moisture.

Perform Emergency Water Extraction.

Move and Block Furniture and Contents.

Inspect Carpet Pad/Carpet and Provide Service.

Apply Necessary Treatments (Disinfectants/Deodorization).

Utilize Advanced Drying and Monitoring Equipment.

Dispose of Refuse.

Water damage that you do not see is the most worrisome to us. People are always looking to save money and we get that. This results in attempts to clean up water damage themselves. Not only is this a bad idea it can be dangerous.

Water backup is from improper drainage to the sewer lines on the streets. Think about that for a moment. ..Sewer line back up, Contamination bacteria and a host of other hidden potentials. The other problem with this self clean up all too often people forget about what you cannot see. For example water comes in through the home, passes through your wall to get into your home. What is in your wall that you do not see? Insulation, Drywall, electrical wiring, maybe even insects and animal dropping or carcasses can all be behind there. When dirty water passes through there a lot that can go wrong, especially when you do not know it is even there.

Water restoration companies have special equipment that allows them to determine how wet certain materials are behind the scenes. They also have the training to understand water migration and that what is not always visible can still be there. Special training and equipment allows them to know to pull off baseboards, proper angle of fans in conjunction with industrial styled dehumidifiers to properly push the water out from behind walls into the air and extract it directly out of the air. There is a lot more to water remediation than getting it off the floor. You must then have the proper cleaners and anti-microbial sprays to rid the surfaces of all the bacteria and contaminants the water touched.

Please make sure you reach out to your local remediation company whenever you have water intruding into your home so that you can get back to normal as quickly and safely as possible.

Updates for COIVD-19

2/8/2021 (Permalink)

The Baker Administration and the Department of Public Health developed a vaccine distribution timeline after extensive consultation with the Massachusetts Vaccine Advisory Group. This group is comprised of leaders from health care, the faith community, community organizations, local government, and others. 

The timeline reflects several priorities: protecting our most vulnerable, maintaining health care system capacity, and addressing inequities in health care access and COVID-19 burden. 

The current phased approach distribution of COVID-19 in MA is as follows: 

(NOTE: These timelines are estimates based on current COVID-19 regulations and production capabilities.)

It is critical for all of us to remain vigilant in our battle against COVID-19. COVID-19 remains a highly transmissible disease. Individuals should continue to follow these universal precautions:

Commercial Emergency Preparedness

10/13/2020 (Permalink)

Commercial properties that are ready have a much higher success rate than those that are not. Is your building ready?

As a commercial property manager it is you responsibility to be prepared for every contingency. You must have connections and resources at your fingertips. This can be challenging as we move through this new environment with COVID-19. Keeping buildings running, safe and healthy is more important than ever. SERVPRO has the tools you need to keep all your vendors in one place. We also have your cyber security of all of this data covered. Our Emergency Ready Profiles, ensure you can create a secure place for all your contact needs anywhere you need it.

If you are not sure about what the Emergency Ready Plans (ERP) are let us give you a brief overview.

The Best Way to Reduce Business Interruption

Following a Disaster is to Plan For it NOW.

As many as 50% of businesses may never recover following a disaster, according

to the latest industry research. Of the businesses that survive, the overwhelming

majority of them had a preparedness plan in place. Pre-planning can serve as an

insurance policy aimed at peace of mind.

By developing a SERVPRO® Emergency READY Profile for your business, you

minimize business interruption by having an immediate plan of action. Knowing

what to do and what to expect in advance is the key to timely mitigation and can

help minimize how water and fire damage can affect your business.

Are You Ready?

Preparation is a key component for making it through any size

disaster, whether it’s a small water leak, a large fire or an area

flood. The best time for planning for such events is not when

the event happens, but well before it happens. No one ever

plans on a disaster, but you can plan for it. Now is the time to

ask yourself, “Are you ready for whatever could happen?”

The SERVPRO® Emergency READY Profile is a start up

approach that provides the critical information needed to begin mitigation and recovery services. It is designed to serve as a

quick reference of important building and contact information. By working with SERVPRO’s Emergency READY Profile,

your business will receive the benefit of over 40 years of experience in reducing the impact of any natural or man-made disaster.

SERVPRO® is a leader in water and fire damage response and can help you quickly get your property back in working order.

The SERVPRO® Emergency READY Profile Advantage

A no cost assessment of your facility.

– This means there is no need to allocate funds, giving you a great value at no cost.

A concise Profile Document that contains only the critical information needed in the event of an emergency.

– It will only take a little time to complete and will not take you away from current projects.

But it will save a lot of time if ever needed.

A guide to help you get back into your building following a disaster.

– This can help minimize the amount of time your business is inactive by having an immediate plan of action.

Establishes your local SERVPRO® Franchise Professional as your disaster mitigation and restoration provider.

– You have a provider that is recognized as an industry leader and close by.

Identification of the line of command for authorizing work to begin.

– This saves time so we can begin the work of mitigating the damage which can save you time and money.

Provides facility details such as shut-off valve locations, priority areas and priority contact information.

– Having a quick reference of what to do, how to do it and who to call provides solutions in advance

of an emergency so that during the emergency you are “Ready for whatever happens.”

Call Us Today To Get Started! The percent of businesses

that may never recover

after suffering a disaster.

SERVPRO® values the data it processes through our systems and understands our clients’ and business partners’ concerns when it comes to securing their data assets. Therefore, SERVPRO® has made substantial investments in an information security framework to provide protection over data confidentiality, integrity and availability.

Security measures have been built into the SERVPRO® computer network and each application. The ERP application system is one of many tools provided to our Franchises to help them facilitate customer acquisition and retention. Below is a summary of the key security features designed to secure data processed by the ERP System:

1.Access to the ERP application is secured. Access to the ERP system is controlled via a username/password combination that allows the user to view only content that has been assigned to them. Data is only accessible via a secure web service using security standards that prevent malicious attacks.

2.Passwords are protected. Passwords use a one way hash.

3.Data on mobile devices is secured. Security of data is managed at the mobile device level within the Security Settings. For the iOS version, all data and photos are encrypted on the device. For Android version, only data is encrypted on the device.

4.Data is secured in transit. All data transmitted from the mobile device to the SERVPRO® network is sent over a 256 bit encrypted TLS 1.2 Triple DES SHA256 connection.

5.Access to the SERVPRO® network is secured. Firewalls are in place to control external access to the SERVPRO®ERP system.

6.Data in the SERVPRO® network is secured at rest. All ERP data is encrypted at the database level using AES 256.

 While these security measures are highlighted for the ERP system, SERVPRO® has a comprehensive security framework inclusive of these controls to provide ongoing security and protection of all data accessed and processed each day.