SERVPRO Recognizes National Preparedness Month with a Reminder to Home and Business Owners: "Disasters Don't Plan Ahead. You Can."

GALLATIN, TN--(Marketwired - August 23, 2017) - September is National Preparedness Month, an annual event sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to raise awareness about the importance of preparing -- in advance -- for the unexpected. In support of this initiative, SERVPRO encourages property owners to take the following two steps now to protect their family, home, and business in the aftermath of a disaster.

1. Review and update your emergency preparedness plan, including business and life continuity plans. If you don't yet have a plan, use the tools provided by FEMA to get started.

2. Collect and store time-critical information, like the location of shutoff valves, fire suppression system controls, and emergency contact numbers electronically, where it is immediately available to assist first responders.

"Evacuation plans and emergency supply kits help you survive a disaster, but a comprehensive emergency preparedness plan helps you recover from a disaster," said Sue Steen, Servpro Industries, Inc., chief executive officer. "The most effective response to any emergency is a fast response. That's why having critical system and contact information at your fingertips is so important. A quick and effective response helps minimize repairs and downtime, helping both businesses and families get back on track in less time, with less stress."

SERVPRO offers tools for both commercial and residential property owners to help them minimize damage and recover quickly from emergencies. The SERVPRO READY app stores essential contact and property information electronically where it can be accessed with a mobile device in seconds if disaster strikes. Both home and business owners can download the free app at https://ready.servpro.com/home/mobileapp. Business owners can take an additional preparedness step by designating their local SERVPRO franchise as their disaster mitigation and restoration provider. SERVPRO professionals will conduct a no-cost assessment of the facility and assist the owner in completing a comprehensive Emergency READY Profile^® (ERP) and storing that profile in the READY app.

"Rapid response from a disaster cleanup and restoration specialist can help the property owner evaluate options, start the insurance process, and take the right steps from the beginning to bring their property back to normal," said Steen. "Even in the confusion and panic that often surround a disaster, a property owner or manager using the SERVPRO READY app can reach out for expert help right from the scene, using a cell phone."

SERVPRO specializes in disaster restoration, cleanup and repair services, helping to remediate damage, making it "Like it never even happened," for both commercial and residential customers. For more information on the SERVPRO mobile app and the SERVPRO Emergency READY Program, please visit www.ready.servpro.com/.

About SERVPRO^®
Founded in 1967, the SERVPRO^® Franchise System is a leader and provider of fire and water cleanup and restoration services and mold mitigation and remediation. SERVPRO's professional services network of more than 1,700 individually owned and operated Franchises responds to property damage emergencies ranging from small individual disasters to multi-million dollar large-loss events. Providing coverage in the United States and Canada, the SERVPRO^® System has established relationships with major insurance companies and commercial clients, as well as individual homeowners.