A Fire Can Kill A Business - Our Top 10 List To Recover

5/25/2018 (Permalink)

Fires can devastate a business.

Fire.  Combustible material.  Oxygen.  Three things that guarantee a raging fire.  When it is in a firepit - you are the fire master - king of the neighborhood.  But when your business burns down, you feel small, beaten and lost. 

I sympathize.  My family endured a catastrophic fire at the family business not too long ago.  It was one of the biggest fires ever had on the North Fork, with multiple districts responding. It was a total loss, and deeply painful.  I'd like to share my top 10 list for what to do after calling 911.

#1 Have ALL utilities and property services temporarily suspended - if the fire is still active and there is a live gas line to your building or an adjacent/nearby unit, you have a deadly  situation!  Immediately report it to both 911 and National Grid's 24/7 hotline 1-800-490-0045 to get an emergency shut off.

#2  If you have adjacent or nearby tenants, residents or businesses alert them immediately - they may have situations you are unaware of where your situation puts them in great peril. 

#3 Alert all employees and set up a mass communication method - a group text, group email or private Facebook group.

#4  Call your insurance company who will send an adjuster. 

#5 Call an independent public insurance adjuster too to make sure your insurance settlement is for the full amount you are entitled to.  

#6 Take clear photos that accurately convey the degree of damage of the structure and affected contents - don't put yourself in danger.

#7  Secure the property to avoid injuries, vandals and theft.  We do board up/tarp ups for homes and businesses 24/7. 

#8  Call us for cleanup, packout and restoration - we handle fire damages of any size.  We clean and carefully pack away as much as possible, which costs less than replacement.  Heat, smoke, water and fire fighting chemicals can cause damages where replacement may be necessary.  After your space has been rebuilt, we'll deliver all that was stored.  

#9  The next order of business is to go back to business!  Immediately - any way you can, any where you can - in a trailer, from your kitchen table, temporary rented space.  A closed business has no business and is likely to never reopen.  Don't wait for a rebuild, new fancy desks and chairs.  Start NOW.

#10 A fire is devastating, but get social.  Share with your community, vendors, customers, fans on social media.  Keep them informed with regular updates and accept their support and encouragement!  They are rooting for you.