If there’s one thing that is uncertain, it is the power of mother nature and when or if it will strike. Recently, the Gulf Coast area experienced hurricanes of epic proportions. For both residents and workers, it is a nightmare that may take years to overcome. 
For maintenance departments in particular, it is something that you need to be prepared for and utilizing preventative maintenance will help you do that. Here are a few tips on disasters and what to do.
Be Prepared
There is no better time to be prepared than before something happens.
- Have an emergency plan in place
- Make an emergency checklist
- Define the roles and responsibilities of each staff person
- Review safety measures and inspection processes
- Plan for downtime or supply chain and/or transportation disruptions
- Modify at-risk areas to improve structural resistance
- Purchase back-ups to utilities like generators, portable pumps, etc.
- Keep up on preventive maintenance for grounds and landscaping, drains, gutters, etc.
- Secure loose items outside and make a back-up plan to store them inside when necessary
Have Emergency Supplies On-Hand
Your maintenance department needs to have emergency supplies on-hand.
First aid kit
- Flashlights
- Batteries
- Water
- Non-perishable food and can opener
- Tools to turn off utilities
- Local maps
- Cell phone and extra batteries
- Satellite phone
- Extra gloves, hand warmers, and blankets
- NOAA weather radio receiver
Read More: Be Prepared For Extreme Weather
Know What To Do
Your emergency information is important to have safe and secure which is why CMMS programs are an excellent tool.
Back up all data to a secure, off-site location
- Set up secure methods to access your data off-site as necessary
- Maintain a list of equipment and assets
- Record information about manufacturers, warranties, and insurance policies
- Keep track of contact information for employees, vendors, emergency response personnel, etc.
- Support employees on shift during an event
You may not have hurricanes where you live, but any type of emergency calls for the same type of preparedness. Schedule regular checks of your safety equipment, fire extinguishers, emergency exits etc with a preventative maintenance program.
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