Emergency Resources

Below, you will find expert articles and trusted websites to assist in navigating various emergencies. The articles cover various topics written by experts in their respective fields. The information provides in-depth guidance, step-by-step instructions, and indispensable resources when facing unexpected situations. Certified Restoration believes being well-prepared is the first step towards effectively managing emergencies. The collection of articles and websites provides the support you need when it matters most.

Our Capabilities

Military

This one-pager pdf briefly explains Certified Restoration’s capabilities and accolades, particularly in relation to our work with the Military.

Main ideas:

1. Certified Restoration is a restoration company with over 30 years of experience in mold, fire, and water damage restoration
2. We have completed hundreds of jobs for the Navy and the US Government and have an excellent reputation for their expertly trained technicians.
3. The company is IICRC certified, fully licensed, bonded, and insured, and has received positive reviews from customers on Google and Yelp.
4. Our services include emergency response, cleaning and sanitizing, equipment and machinery decontamination, biohazard clean-up, mold removal and remediation, and more.

View or Download the document (PDF)

Property Managers

This one-pager explains Certified Restorations’ capabilities and achievements with references from local property managers.

Main ideas:

1. Certified Restoration is a San Diego-based restoration company with over 30 years of experience in mold, fire, and water damage restoration.
2. We have a 5-star rating on Yelp, Google, and the Better Business Bureau and are fully licensed, bonded, and insured.
3. Our services include cleaning, sanitizing, drying, and restoration of various types of damage, including mold and bio-hazard situations.
4. In-place drying cabinets, floors, and walls can save time, disruption, and money compared to removing them for restoration work.

Download Property Managers Document (pdf)

Mold Resources

A Brief Guide to Mold and Moisture in Your Home

This guide from the EPA provides information and guidance for homeowners and renters on cleaning up residential mold problems and preventing mold growth.

Main ideas:

1. Moisture control is crucial to mold control, and mold should be promptly cleaned up within 24-48 hours.
2. Mold can cause health problems due to allergens, irritants, and potentially toxic substances. Allergic reactions to mold can be immediate or delayed.
3. If mold grows in your home, you must clean up the mold and fix the water problem to prevent it from returning.

A Brief Guide to Mold and Moisture in Your Home

Mold in Commercial Buildings

This guide from the EPA provides step-by-step instructions and guidelines for the remediation and cleanup of mold and moisture problems in schools and commercial buildings.

Main ideas:

1. Mold remediation in schools and commercial buildings is essential to prevent damage to building materials and furnishings, save money, and avoid potential health risks.
2. Changes in building construction practices during the 1970s, 80s, and 90s may have contributed to moisture problems in buildings and schools.
3. Step-by-step guidelines are available for building managers, custodians, and others responsible for commercial building and school maintenance to protect the health of building occupants and remediate mold/moisture problems in schools/commercial buildings.

Mold in Commercial Buildings

Mold Prevention and Remediation

This article from the National Institute of Health outlines ways to prevent mold growth, conditions for remediation, and responsibilities of affected parties

Main ideas:

1. Moisture must be eliminated in less than 48 hours to prevent or destroy mold growth
2. General mold prevention measures include fixing leaks, being alert for condensation and wet spots, increasing surface temperature, and maintaining low indoor humidity

Mold Prevention and Remediation

Mold and Your Health

This guide summarizes the effects of mold on human health.

Main ideas:

1. Mold spores and fragments can get into the air we breathe and form on damp materials such as leaves and drywall. Some molds are harmful, producing mycotoxins, which can cause respiratory problems, asthma, and other health conditions such as asthma, allergic reactions, inflammation, and immune system changes.
2. Leading health organizations have confirmed that occupants of damp, moldy buildings have an increased chance of respiratory problems such as shortness of breath and worsening asthma.
3. Particulate matter, such as mold, is a common problem in low-socioeconomic households and can lead to mold growth indoors, including in multifamily units and low-income homes.

Mold and Your Health

Fire and Smoke Resources

Dealing with Debris and Damaged Buildings

This article from the EPA discusses how to go about remediating your home after an event like a fire has severely damaged it.

Main ideas:

1. Cleanup after a disaster can pose health and environmental challenges
2. Local governments may need to manage debris and demolish homes
3. General cautions include being aware of possible gases and properly disposing of waste
4. Federal authorities urge extreme caution when re-entering damaged homes and buildings.

Dealing with Debris and Damaged Buildings

Wildfires

This page from the US EPA provides a variety of resources to help you prepare for and respond to a wildfire.

Main ideas:

1. Use the Smoke Sense app and sign up for air quality email notices
2. Call 911 if in immediate danger and need emergency help
3. Educate yourself on local evacuation plans and disaster debris cleanup

Wildfires

Water and Flood Damage

IICRC Resource

The Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) not only exists to serve companies in the restoration industry but also to provide resources to property owners undertaking a variety of restoration projects. The IICRC resource page has plenty of information on disasters like flooding, mold, fires, and more.
IICRC Resource

National Weather Service

The National Weather Service’s site features two fantastic resources for water and flood damage: live weather forecasts and a safety tips index with pages on a variety of disaster scenarios, each one detailing what to do before the event, during the event, and after the event. The pages on floods, hurricanes, thunderstorms, and tsunamis are beneficial in preparing your response to a water damage event.

National Weather Service

Leak and Flood Detection and Prevention

CRI Leak and Flood Detection

If you’re interested in detecting leaks before they turn into a major issue, Certified Restoration’s Leak and Flood Detection page is the right place to get started.

On this page, you’ll find:

1.  Information on demos for leak and flood detection solutions
2. A description of our leak and flood services
3. An introduction to our preferred leak and flood detection solution, Alert Labs AlertAQ
4. Reviews and testimonies
5. A contact form

CRI Leak and Flood Detection

Alert Labs

Alert Labs is our chosen leak and flood detection solution for commercial and residential properties. Here, you’ll be able to find information on Alert Lab’s AlertAQ technologies, including:

1. Flowie-O - Water flow sensor
2. Floodie - Flood Sensor and Water Leak Detector
3. Shuttie - Automatic Water Shut-Off ValveSentree - A/C monitoring system
4. Humie - Humidity and temperature system

Alert Labs

Emergency Preparedness

Cal Fire

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) is the fire department of the California Natural Resources Agency in California. Their “Prepare” page offers a variety of resources to help you prepare your family and your property for a wildfire, including:

1. How to prepare your property for a wildfire
2. How to develop an evacuation plan
3. What to do when a fire threatens your home

Cal Fire

Ready.gov

Ready is a National public service advertising campaign to educate and empower Americans to prepare for and respond to any kind of emergency, natural or man-made, imaginable. Ready.gov offers resources for families and business owners in English and Spanish. This site is great for:

1. Staying informed about the different types of emergencies that could occur and how to respond appropriately
2. Learning how to make a family emergency plan.
3. Building an emergency supply kit.
4. Finding ways to get involved in your community by taking action to prepare for emergencies.

Ready.gov

FEMA

The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) primary purpose is coordinating large-scale disaster response in the US. This site is great for more general large-scale disaster response information or for getting assistance recovering from a natural disaster once it’s already happened. FEMA offers the following disaster relief resources:

1. Assistance for individuals recovering from a natural disaster
2. Information and resources for various natural disasters happening across the US
3. Tools to recover from a natural disaster
4. Risk mitigation information

FEMA

Red Cross

The organized International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is a humanitarian movement best known for its disaster relief efforts. They offer opportunities to volunteer to help with disaster relief and training courses like First Aid and CPR that prepare individuals to assist when a disaster strikes. The Red Cross training programs are available to individuals and organizations to prepare them for emergency response.
Red Cross

Certified Restoration’s Emergency Response Plan Template

To prepare for a quick and organized response after an emergency, developing an emergency response plan (ERP) is recommended. Certified Restoration has developed a downloadable emergency response plan template. While business owners and managers of commercial, residential, and government properties may find it most useful, it can be modified by use for individual homeowners as well. Our ERP will help you get started recording essential information that needs to be kept in a safe place for ready reference, like insurance information, property descriptions, floor plans and blueprints, and contact information for contractors and other key services.
Certified Restoration’s Emergency Response Plan Template