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For national disaster events impacting large areas and multiple properties, ATI will dispatch our elite NRS Team to the job site. Here are some key things to know about ATI’s NRS Team and how it can help you get back to business safely and quickly.
ATI Has Dedicated NRS Staff When a major event occurs, ATI sends its NRS Team to the job site to support local resources. The team consists of our vice president of NRS, executive project directors, field operations managers, project managers, supervisors, skilled technicians, administrative staff, and laborers. Depending on the job scope, the company may call in pre-vetted subcontractors if additional support is needed and only with the supervision of ATI personnel. This ensures consistency in training and process and raises the quality of every project.
ATI Has Offices Nationwide Scalability matters in large-scale disasters and widespread storm events. Small teams can become overwhelmed with limited people and local resources. If multiple events happen at once, small restoration firms may not be able to respond at all. However, with 29 regional offices around the country, ATI can scale up to respond quickly in the event of a hurricane or other major disaster.
ATI Has Strategically Located Trailers Additionally, ATI has 18 trailers with emergency supplies located near disaster-prone areas. Some of these trailers are dedicated to wildfire and smoke damage services, while others are dedicated to hurricanes and their aftermath. The trailers are stocked with critical equipment that ATI teams can use to begin a restoration project, including extraction equipment, air movers, dehumidifiers for water damage, and negative air machines.
ATI Monitors Weather Events As soon as a storm is forecast, the ATI team springs into action. They monitor storms and proactively work with clients to mitigate the risks of damage. By using the latest mapping technologies, the ATI team will visualize, track, and review incident timelines and take the appropriate action when major events such as natural disasters, violent incidents, and public health emergencies affect client properties across the U.S.
ATI Prioritizes Client Communication From the Start A key to exceptional results in restoration projects is ensuring that both the client and the disaster recovery services provider are on the same page about the work to be done. That is why ATI spends time upfront learning what is important to clients, including their goals for the project, so they can begin with the end in mind. And, at the start of every project, ATI sets a communications cadence that matches the client’s preference and memorializes the communication plan in a detailed memo. Clients may opt in to use a dedicated email and phone number to engage ATI account staff.
ATI Offers Emergency Response Agreements (ERAs) Efficiency is critical in disaster recovery. That is why ATI has developed ERAs, which accelerate response time. Even in times of peak demand, ATI offers clients who have signed an ERA priority service. An ERA means ATI can start addressing damage immediately, without having to wait for the client to sign a work authorization. It also sets pricing in advance, so businesses can focus on what matters: a speedy recovery.
ATI Maintains a Strategic Supplier Network ATI knows that in emergencies, it can be difficult to obtain the equipment and materials needed to perform restoration work. Delays mean days out of business, compounding the cost and impact of storm damage. This is why ATI has built a nationwide supplier network, ensuring a robust inventory of materials to respond to any disaster.
If your facility is in the path of a hurricane warning, hurricane watch, tropical storm watch, or other natural disaster from the National Weather Service or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (www.noaa.gov), it is time to take action. However, in a time crunch, it can be difficult to make sure you have all the information you need to make the process of engaging a disaster recovery service provider seamless. Planning ahead can make all the difference, reducing risks when disaster strikes and accelerating the return to business operations.
Here are six steps that you can take as part of a hurricane preparedness plan to get ready for the next storm.
1. Build an Asset List The first step is for ATI to understand where your properties are located. Once ATI has a list of your facilities, it can set up monitoring for major events and alert you when you need to start preparations for an emergency.
2. Share Important Property Details Before ATI team members visit your facility, they need to know as much as possible about it so they can quickly develop a plan for structural and contents damage restoration. For example, if a water loss is called in, the ATI team will typically need to know the following information:
3. Set Up a Chain of Command ATI needs to know who to call in the event questions arise while on site. Ideally, the chain of command will include people on your emergency response team, such as leaders from your company’s safety, security, human resources, and communications teams. At a minimum, share the contact information of your company’s emergency contacts, such as your general manager and building engineer.
4. Identify Backup Power Sources Power outages are common in the wake of storms. Losing power not only hampers business recovery after the storm, but it also means that restoration services cannot proceed. If a facility does not have adequate emergency power sources, ATI can obtain a backup generator or partner with other vendors to ensure there is sufficient infrastructure for generating power.
5. Look for Building Blueprints Reviewing plans in advance enables the ATI team to plan the resources necessary to restore the facility. For example, ATI staff can determine what equipment is needed to address the risks and what power sources are needed to keep that equipment running.
6. Make a List of Important Vendors To get a building back up and running, all of a company’s building vendors must be on the same page. ATI needs a contact list for any preferred key vendors (if available), such as roofers and elevator service companies, who may need to take part in the restoration efforts.
If you need help figuring out what proactive steps to take to improve your readiness for the next natural disaster, check out our whitepaper, How Businesses Can Prepare for Hurricane Season, which provides the foundation for a business continuity plan. It explains how disaster recovery service companies like ATI put businesses in the best possible position to improve employee safety; reduce the risk of business interruption, property damage, and water damage; and respond to whatever weather comes their way. The whitepaper also includes a detailed emergency plan with hurricane preparation steps that business owners should take before, during, and after severe weather. Add this resource to your toolkit today.