Answering Service and Hurricanes
When a hurricane is approaching, you’re answering service is probably the last thing you’ll have time to worry about. If you’ve never experienced a storm there are a few things you should think about. We’ve prepared a list based on our experience with hurricanes such as Hurricane Andrew back in 1992.
First, consider what happens as a storm approaches. Most users of answering service will close their offices a day or two before the storm hits. This creates an increase in the call volume your answering service handles. Answering services not prepared for a hurricane will find themselves with a lot of calls and no one to answer them. Here’s what we do in preparation for the pre-storm rush:
Both owners of our company remain on-site before, during, and during the days that follow any storm. One of our owners was a search and rescue pilot and served in the days that followed Andrew.
A team of operators that is willing to work during this period is maintained. Incentives such as overtime and a secure place to ride out the storm are provided.
A 10 day supply of MREs (Meals Ready to Eat), water, and fuel for our generator are always on hand. In addition, a supply of essential survival and first aid equipment is kept on hand.
While a storm is actually hitting our area we focus on the safety of our staff and ensure that we do everything possible to keep our building from being destroyed. During some storms we may be able to take calls. Our experience has been that taking calls during the storm is not critical. Most people are trying to survive the storm and will call either family or 911 if they need help.
Our services are needed most in the time that follows any storm. People start figuring out their needs very quickly and begin calling the types of offices we answer for. Our clients of course have their own families and homes to worry about before reopening their offices. The list above again gives us the ability to provide your callers with A Live Answer as soon as the storm ends.
Our service has been through many storms since Hurricane Andrew. The knowledge we gained from surviving that storm has enabled to stay open without interruption through every storm that has followed. In addition, our satellite office in Virginia is capable of taking over all of our calls in the event that our sites service is interrupted.
The preparations we make for hurricanes ensure that our service stays operational during many other disaster situations we would otherwise not be prepared for. Make sure your answering service has a hurricane and disaster plan before one is approaching
