Inside Restoration & Recovery

Strong customer partnerships are built long before an emergency occurs. While restoration companies are often called during a crisis, the most successful relationships begin with communication, planning, and a shared understanding of each organization's goals and operational needs. In this installment of the Industry Soundbite Series, Jaime Wagoner explains that great partnerships start with liste...

For facility directors, summer is one of the most important times of the year to prepare for unexpected events. Whether it's hurricane season, severe thunderstorms, extreme heat, or an unforeseen water or fire loss, taking a proactive approach today can significantly reduce disruption when an emergency occurs. In this installment of the Industry Soundbite Series, Jamie Wagoner shares one simple bu...

The first hour after a fire can have a lasting impact on a property's recovery. While the immediate emergency may be over once the fire is extinguished, the decisions made in the hours that follow can influence how quickly a building returns to operation, how much additional damage occurs, and how effectively tenants and occupants are supported. In this installment of the Industry Soundbite Series...

On this episode of Inside Restoration & Recovery, host Martha Lewis welcomes Shadira Jones, General Manager of BMS CAT's Tampa office, for a conversation about hurricane preparedness, crisis leadership, and what it takes to help businesses recover when disaster strikes. Drawing from her experience leading response efforts during back-to-back hurricanes that impacted Florida, Shadira shares how...

In healthcare environments, downtime is not just a business interruption. It can directly impact patient care. Hospitals and healthcare facilities operate around the clock, serving patients with urgent and often life-critical needs. When an area of a facility becomes unavailable due to water damage, fire, construction, or another disruption, every minute matters. In this soundbite, Jeremy James ex...

Healthcare facilities face a unique challenge when restoration or construction work needs to be completed. Unlike many commercial environments, hospitals and healthcare campuses cannot simply shut down operations while work is being performed. Patient care must continue, staff must remain productive, and critical services must stay accessible throughout the project. In this soundbite, Jeremy James...

Jeremy James discusses why emergency planning is one of the most important investments a healthcare facility can make before a disaster occurs. Hospitals operate in an environment where downtime is not simply an inconvenience. Critical departments, patient care areas, and life-safety systems must remain operational even during emergencies. That is why proactive planning and coordination are essent...

Kacie Chappell shares her insights on why large-scale restoration projects require a fundamentally different approach than smaller losses. While it may be easy to assume that a major disaster is simply a larger version of a routine restoration project, Kacie explains that the level of expertise, planning, logistics, and resources required increases dramatically as the scope of the loss grows. From...

Hurricane season is approaching, and for commercial facilities, preparation isn’t optional, it’s critical. Join BMS CAT for a live webinar, “Hurricane Preparedness: Planning, Response, and Recovery for Commercial Operations,” on May 6th, where industry experts will break down what it truly takes to prepare for, respond to, and recover from a major storm event. This panel brings together a powerful...

Winter storms can leave behind more damage than what’s immediately visible. While frozen pipes and roof leaks are common during extreme cold, the real concern often appears after temperatures rise and systems begin to thaw. Water may seep into walls, ceilings, and flooring, creating hidden moisture that property owners don’t discover until weeks later. This winter season, many buildings experience...

Water damage during winter months can quickly lead to mold growth if it isn’t handled properly. After a leak or burst pipe, the first 24 to 48 hours are critical. Moisture trapped behind walls, beneath flooring, or inside insulation creates the perfect environment for mold to begin developing. Many property owners assume that once visible water is cleaned up, the problem is solved. However, surfac...

Water damage doesn’t always show up as a major leak or flooding. In many cases, the earliest warning signs are subtle and easy to overlook. Bubbling paint, warped flooring, musty odors, or soft spots in walls can all signal hidden moisture behind surfaces. Even an unexpected spike in your water bill may indicate that water is leaking somewhere out of sight. When moisture is trapped inside walls, c...

When a two-alarm fire broke out at a large hotel, swift action was critical to minimizing damage and disruption. BMS CAT responded in under 45 minutes, arriving on-site to assess the situation and begin stabilizing the property. This immediate response helped protect the building from further loss. That same night, the local BMS CAT team secured the site, laying the groundwork for a smooth transit...

Too often, HVAC system maintenance is thought of purely in mechanical terms—inspections, repairs, replacements. But as Colin Trudo, General Manager at BMS CAT in Charlotte, points out, cleaning is just as critical and should be treated as a dedicated budget line item, not an afterthought. In this episode of Critical Response Stories, Colin explains why facilities teams should consistently set asid...

In the wake of COVID-19, indoor air quality became a top priority across commercial and institutional buildings. Ventilation strategies were reevaluated and HVAC systems were reconfigured to bring in more fresh air and increase air exchanges. While these updates helped reduce the risk of airborne transmission, they also introduced new challenges—especially when seasonal changes come into play. In...

When it comes to energy consumption in the United States, nearly 50% is tied directly to HVAC systems. That number alone highlights why regular HVAC maintenance is not just a matter of comfort or air quality—it is a major factor in energy efficiency and long-term system health. In this episode, the BMS CAT team breaks down the simple mechanics behind why dirty systems demand more energy and lead t...

Managing HVAC maintenance in a large facility can feel overwhelming. According to Colin Trudo, General Manager at BMS CAT in Charlotte, it all starts with understanding industry guidelines and building a practical inspection plan around them. Referencing the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA), Colin explains that most commercial buildings should have both their HVAC units and ductwork...

In this episode of Critical Response Stories, Kacie Chappell shares a hard truth many organizations face too late: a business continuity plan is only as strong as the people carrying it out. Kacie has seen that the most successful recoveries start long before the storm hits. They begin with preparation, practice, and a clear understanding of roles. Teams that rehearse their response, know who to c...

In this soundbite, Kacie Chappell shares how proactive planning can turn a chaotic emergency into a moment of calm leadership. For Kacie, preparation is not just about logistics. It is what allows teams to step up when it matters most. “When organizations plan before something happens, they really see the benefit in the heat of the moment,” she says. Whether it is a hurricane on the coast or a tor...

In this episode of Inside Restoration & Recovery, host Martha Lewis sits down with Josh Creznic, Director of Hospitality Services at BMS CAT, to unpack the unique challenges and critical priorities in hotel restoration. With over two decades of experience in hospitality—spanning major brands like Marriott and Wyndham—Josh brings deep insight into how restoration teams can best support hotels d...

In this episode of Inside Restoration & Recovery, host Martha Lewis sits down with Josh Creznic, Director of Hospitality Services at BMS CAT, to unpack the unique challenges and critical priorities in hotel restoration. With over two decades of experience in hospitality—spanning major brands like Marriott and Wyndham—Josh brings deep insight into how restoration teams can best support hotels d...

On this episode of Inside Restoration & Recovery, host Martha Lewis sits down with Shadira Jones, General Manager of BMS CAT’s Tampa office, to talk about resilience, leadership, and preparation during back-to-back hurricanes that hit the Florida coast. With less than two years at BMS CAT under her belt, Shadira was thrust into emergency mode as two very different storms—first a devastating fl...

Many homeowners don’t realize that standard homeowner’s insurance excludes flood protection. That’s a risk worth correcting fast. Lori Callahan, Assistant VP and Account Executive for Personal Lines at B.F. Saul Insurance, stresses the importance of proactive flood coverage. “About 40% of flood insurance claims come from outside high-risk zones,” she explains. Because of that, her agency recommend...

In April 2023, a powerful tornado tore through Shawnee, Oklahoma, leaving a trail of destruction—including severe damage to Valir Physical Therapy’s local facility. Half the building was left standing, the other half shredded beyond use. But before Valir staff even arrived on site, BMS CAT was already there. “They beat me to the site,” said Jeff Jankowski, President of Valir Physical Therapy. “Eve...

When it comes to flood insurance, preparation is key. Tyler Ardron, Executive Vice President at Floodproofing.com, often advises homeowners and businesses to take proactive steps before a storm hits. “We deal with this all the time with our clients,” Ardron explains. “Have a list of your belongings, include estimated values, and schedule everything out ahead of time. During the claim process, you...