September is National Preparedness Month (http://www.ready.gov/September), 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, owners of SERVPRO franchises in the North Bend and Issaquah area encourage property owners to take the following two steps now to protect their family, home, and business in the aftermath of a disaster.

Review and update your emergency preparedness plan. Be sure to include business and life continuity plans in your review. If you don’t yet have a plan, use the tools provided by FEMA at https://www.ready.gov/make-a-plan to get started.

Collect and store time-critical information. This includes such items as the location of shutoff valves, fire suppression system controls, and emergency contact numbers. Store them electronically, where they are 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® specializes in disaster restoration, cleanup and repair services. To contact a North Bend area franchise, call Dale W. Coleman at (425) 313-3100 or send email to dkamran@servproofrenton.com.