Offseason: Ready for Whatever Happens

2/14/2020 (Permalink)

Here in Florida, especially on the Gulf Coast, storm season is something we take very seriously. But at SERVPRO of West Pasco, we are even thinking about hurricanes and tornadoes in the off season.

Officially, hurricane season for the Atlantic Basin - which includes the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and our backyard, the Gulf of Mexico - begins June 1 and goes through November 30 each year. The season peaks in mid-August through late October, and those dates coincide with our operation’s busiest time of year. In fact, our company handbook outlines hurricane season and encourages the team not to plan non-refundable vacations, weddings or the births of children during that time frame. (Just kidding!)

During the off season, our team balances the daily workload of emergency services response along with preparation for storm response. We focus on training and updating industry certifications in the spring, allowing the team to ready themselves for the weeks and months ahead, and also take time to step away and reflect on how we can be better prepared for the next time. Over the years, we’ve added to our standard operating plan a fully-stocked consumables and equipment trailer, locked and ready to be hooked up to a truck and heading out to help. This tactic has allowed us to increase response time dramatically, eliminating lag time almost completely and making the mobilization as fast as possible and helping clients minimize secondary damage. Warehouse Manager Doug reliably monitors and restocks the inventory as needed so the trailer is always ready to go at a moment’s notice.

Each year in early June, before the threat of storms roll in, we take a moment as a company to gather with our families for a day of fun. This gives a chance for the company leaders to thank our families for their sacrifices throughout the year, and in advance for bearing through our busy season. Often our crew can be gone for days and even weeks on end, whether they are responding out of town to a storm event or working long hours locally when our own neighborhoods are facing weather damage.

We want our clients and community to know that we are ready for whatever happens, year round. And we won’t be on vacation when a storm threatens New Port Richey!