Things Every Property Manager Should Know Before the Big Storm

3/11/2020 (Permalink)

Storm preparedness is an essential part of a property manager's job.

After hurricanes or severe weather, people are used to seeing the calamity and the storm restoration companies from Doylestown, PA, attending to the cleanup. However, as a property manager, your job is about storm preparedness and how to minimize damage and risk. There are five areas that every property manager should be familiar with.

Personnel safety and preparation
Building preparation
Emergency contacts and responsibilities
Data and files
Reports

Personnel Safety and Preparation
Every property manager is responsible for the care and safety of the employees and clients under their roof. You must have or develop evacuation and shelter-in-place plans for your building. Also, it is a good idea to run routine drills, so everyone in the company and facility is aware of storm and disaster protocols.

Building Preparation
Property management is also about building preparation before a storm, ensuring minimal damage. If hurricanes or other high wind events are predicted, then board up windows and vulnerable doors.

Emergency Contacts and Responsibilities
Also, having a list of emergency contacts and delegating responsibilities is part of storm preparedness. For example, managers of each department should be charged with counting heads before, during and after an event. Also, each manager should have a list of contacts for people that need to be notified after a company disaster.

Data and Files
Data and files are often overlooked during the panic of storm preparations, but this information is vital to the sustainability of a company. Make sure that you or someone on staff is responsible for backing up all critical data and files.

Reports
Once the storm is over and panic subsides, you will likely need to create several reports. For example, inventory may need to be checked and reported to execs and insurers. There are likely to be other reports about damages and emergency response as well.

Storm preparedness is an essential part of a property manager's job, as is the care and safety of those who work under you. If you need assistance in developing storm preparations, contact your local first responders or a storm mitigation company.