Multi-Housing News - July 2009 - (Page 16)

property management In Case of Emergency Preparing your community for wildfires, storms and pandemics By Erika Schnitzer, Associate Editor In the West, it’s wildfires and earthquakes. In the South, it’s hurricanes. And now, with the spread of swine flu across the country, everyone has become increasingly concerned about new pandemics. When you’re charged with managing both residents and properties, it is crucial that you have policies in place to help guide your operations—and that you communicate them to both your staff and your residents. “It’s really important to have a plan in place because we see, time and time again, whether it’s a weather disaster or a fire, disaster planning is as crucial as the resolution,” says Eileen Lee, vice president of environment and energy at National Multi Housing Council (NMHC). Ensuring that your staff is all on the same page is absolutely crucial when it comes to dealing with emergencies, particularly in terms of how you discuss these issues with residents. For natural disasters, managers should log onto FEMA’s (Federal Emergency Management Agency) Website for the most up-to-date information regarding disasters and other hazards. The Agency’s site also includes tips on exploring insurance options for property damage. Other helpful Websites include the American Red Cross and the National Disaster Reference Database. Be prepared When natural disasters strike, managers can oftentimes prepare—at least in part—by staying tuned to local communication channels. Of course, we cannot always predict the severity of a situa- 16 July 2009 | Multi-Housing News | Official Publication of Multi-Housing World

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Multi-Housing News - July 2009

Multi-Housing News - July 2009
Contents
From the Editor
Executive Insight
Market Pulse
Profile
Market Report
Management
Case Study: Luxury
Finance
Kitchen & Bath
Products & Services
Tech Trends

Multi-Housing News - July 2009