Resource Centre
Let us help you prepare for the unexpected.
When disaster strikes, knowing what to expect can make a world of difference. Drawing on our depth of leading restoration service and experience, we’ve learned how to be at our best when facing the worst—and we want to share that knowledge with you. Discover what our professionals have to say about preparing for disaster, expediting recovery, and everything in between. We’re here to help, always.
Articles
Articles
Reduce COVID-19 Risk with a Workplace Safety Plan
1/28/2021
Property managers and business owners are focused on how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting regular business operations and causing low building occupancy levels. But, don’t forget the importance of maintaining a consistent cadence of regular and preventative maintenance activities for safe building operations. Having a workplace safety plan ...
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COVID-19: Proactive and Reactive Services Available
7/22/2020
Proactive Measures Protecting your teams in advance is as important as a quick response when a positive case of COVID-19 is determined. Contact us to employ proactive cleaning measures as a first line of defense against the arrival of COVID-19 to your business. Reactive Measures When ...
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Proven Expertise in COVID-19 Disinfection for Critical Community Businesses
7/22/2020
We know you are working around the clock to serve our community. Thank you for all you are doing. The Federal Government has deemed our services as essential. This means we can reach you in even the most difficult of situations. We follow CDC and Health Canada recommendations for cleaning ...
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Getting Back on Your Feet After a Fire
7/13/2020
A fire in your home can start in a variety of ways. Many of them are simply accidents, or “flukes,” for which nobody can really prepare. No matter how the fire starts, it is a truly heartbreaking situation to lose your home. When a home is damaged in a fire, ...
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2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season
5/25/2020
The 2020 hurricane season officially starts on June 1. The Tropical Meteorology Project (TMP) at Colorado State University will not release its first full forecast until April 2, but they released an initial discussion on December 12. This initial outlook examines the possibility of several hurricane season scenarios. The TMP is currently giving an ...
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Water Damage Tips
5/23/2020
After your business experiences water damage from a leaky pipe, rainstorm, or flood, you naturally want to get things back to normal as soon as possible. If you’re dealing with anything other than a large incursion, you understandably may be considering handling the cleanup and drying yourself to save ...
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Hurricane Preparedness 7 Day Plan
5/07/2020
Getting to “Prepared” in 7 Days If you don’t already have an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) and/or Disaster Recovery Plan (DRP) in place, the first thing you want to do is grab a template to document the various preparation steps. This way you will have the key ...
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Document Drying & Recovery
5/06/2020
If you’ve never experienced a paper-related disaster, you’d be surprised how fast things can go off the rails in document storage areas. And schools, government offices, law firms, medical offices, and other businesses and facilities that deal with a lot of paper are all at risk. It only ...
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Document Restoration Tips
4/27/2020
You just discovered that important business or historical documents or books are moist or wet. Now what? Hopefully, you will never be in this situation. But if you ever are—or are now—it’s important to know what to do. First, don’t panic. Freeze drying and restoration processes ...
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How Far Will Mould in Your AC Closet Spread
4/27/2020
Moisture is typically the culprit when you find mould growth in the AC closet. In damp, moist conditions, mould can spread quite rapidly from one location to another. Checking the unit and drying out the room regularly are the best ways to prevent mould from spreading to the rest of ...
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Water Damage and Repairing Flooring
4/25/2020
Water damage can cause a number of flooring problems for property owners. Some of the top concerns to consider include, how to get rid of subsequent carpet odor, mould growth in the carpet, how to repair laminate flooring water damage, and how to fix water damaged hardwood floors. These are ...
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Why Crime Scene and Biohazard Cleanup is More Intense
4/03/2020
Crime scene and biohazard cleanup are intense tasks that require the care and expertise of a certified restoration specialist. This is demanding and challenging work that is not suited for just anyone to take on. Cleanup for these types of scenes often results in working long and unpredictable hours. The ...
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Humidity and Temp Control When Air Handling Units Are Down
3/02/2020
Business leaders can benefit from understanding the importance of humidity and temp control when shutting down, upgrading, or replacing commercial air handling units. Making changes to the air handling unit is often an attempt at improving the economics and operational efficiency of the enterprise. Depending on the nature of the ...
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Understanding a Water Damage Loss
2/22/2020
Water losses from weather and non-weather related events account for approximately 30% of all homeowner claims, representing the highest percentage of any claim category. When a water loss occurs, the first step is to identify the source of the water and eliminate it. The next step is to have a qualified ...
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Document Freeze Drying Technology
2/19/2020
Flooding, fire, pipe breaks, or even adverse conditions like humidity, can quickly destroy paper documents, records, and books. But content recovery and restoration methods, such as freeze-drying, can save critical paper assets. Planning ahead for rapid response is key. Our Document Restoration Services now use the fastest freeze-drying technology ...
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How to Choose a Restoration Contractor
2/13/2020
Massive rains can put a severe strain on municipal infrastructure – drainage pushed beyond its limits, homes and businesses flooded, and power outages affecting thousands. When catastrophic rains occur, extreme increases in the need for restoration services result in contractors knocking on the doors of homes and businesses, looking to fill ...
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How Fast Can Mould Grow and Become a Problem
1/07/2020
Unfortunately, mould can be found almost anywhere. However, when mould is present in the indoor environment there is usually moisture present. Mould especially likes to grow where temperatures are 68°F, dim lighting, and very little air circulation. Mould spores are known to travel throughout the air, attach themselves to any ...
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10 Ways To Reduce Slips, Trips, and Falls in Your Business
10/13/2019
Slips, trips, and falls are the leading cause of general workplace accidents and injuries ranging from minor bruises to severe traumas such as head injuries, broken bones, sprains, and lacerations. In fact, slips, trips, and falls are often reported as the most common causes of workers’ compensation claims. To reduce ...
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Mould in Mechanical Chases
10/13/2019
It’s often beneficial for property owners and managers to be knowledgeable about the causes, concerns, and remediation associated with mould growth developing in mechanical chases. Mechanical chases are the large openings in the attic plane that allow ducts, pipes, or wire bunches to pass from the living space into ...
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Three Steps to Minimize Damage for Frozen Pipes
8/12/2019
If your business is in an area, like Dallas for example, where you get occasional freezes during otherwise mild winters, here’s an important fact: Upwards of 90% of the calls we receive are related to frozen and broken pipes. Surprising isn’t it? But, the culprits for frozen pipes can ...
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Vetting a Restoration Company
6/28/2019
Coupled with the housing crisis, economic conditions have caused a perfect storm of interest in restoration contracting. The influx of choices and competition for your business stemming from the amount of new-to-the-industry contractors can make choosing the right reconstruction contractor a challenge. Inexperienced contractors may underbid projects without being aware ...
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Recovering Wet Documents Or Books
5/23/2019
Want to watch some paper dry? Of course not. Unless maybe you’re dealing with something particularly unpleasant at work today. But in all seriousness, when your business or organization is dealing with important wet documents or books—and the potential related process of legal costs, or historical losses—paper ...
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Handling Smoke Damage After a Fire
5/21/2019
Where there’s fire, there’s smoke… and smoke damage. You may think you can wait to clean the soot while you address other, more pressing issues. The truth is though that leaving the soot only causes more damage. Soot damage begins almost immediately and continues to worsen over time.
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11 Characteristics Of Great Crisis Leaders
5/13/2019
Any time your business confronts a rapidly unfolding crisis, whether it’s related to a natural disaster, the weather, a pipe breaking, or a human-caused event, the stakes are high. In the vast majority of circumstances, businesses with up-to-date disaster recovery plans (DRPs) and access to effective crisis managers have ...
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Post-Disaster Response What Not To Do Podcast
4/14/2019
Click on the podcast "Audio" button below and learn about the five important things you should avoid doing after a disaster. Hilton Brown has more than 25 years' experience in the insurance and risk management industry. Hilton has extensive experience in claims handling, risk consulting, business continuity planning, and Emergency Response ...
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Pipe Leak Emergency
2/18/2019
There are times when water damage seems to sneak up out of nowhere. A few weeks ago, a man frantically contacts our emergency line. It seemed as though a pipe started leaking under his kitchen sink a couple hours before he got home, so he walked right ...
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Rethinking the Disaster Recovery Status Quo
2/13/2019
Most of us never consider the big picture of how the disaster restoration industry business models work. And for good reason… you already have plenty on your plate and no urgent need to evaluate models. But if you are managing a portfolio of properties with many locations, it is worth ...
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Climate Control Using Desiccant Dehumidification
11/13/2018
Desiccant dehumidifiers are one of the most effective ways of removing moisture from the air within industrial environments and commercial buildings. This climate control technology is implemented through a variety of applications in nearly two dozen major industries. The desiccant material or chemical used in these dehumidifiers easily attracts and ...
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Faster Disaster Recovery Begins With Preplanning and Trust
10/18/2018
We’ve seen all kinds of mind-blowing disaster situations, and we’re still learning along with our clients. Although we haven’t lost the capacity for surprise, it takes pretty unusual circumstances. For most businesses, however, new or unusual disaster circumstances that lead to unwelcome surprises are commonplace. And the ...
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Workplace Hurricane Kit
9/25/2018
With ample warning and tracking, hurricanes (and tropical storms) should not catch any business owner or manager by surprise. Despite the warning, many businesses choose to stay open as a hurricane or tropical storm moves into the area. For these businesses, a hurricane supply kit can prove to be essential ...
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How Restoration Companies Respond To Disaster Recovery
9/23/2018
Fire. Flooding. Storms. Natural Disasters. These events can bring business operations to a screaming halt. Getting a business up and running as quickly as possible is always our goal. How do we do it? Careful preparation and building relationships long before the storm hits. Being prepared means taking a proactive ...
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To Renovate or Restore? That is the Question!
9/17/2018
Wednesday, July 22, 2015•Scott Windell A restoration project is when you return a property back to its original condition, accurately portraying the historic context and integrity. Restorations are common in historic buildings, but they can also be applied in any major improvement project. Repairing holes in the walls, fixing and replacing ...
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Small-Business Disaster Recovery Checklist
9/14/2018
When readying your business for disaster recovery, consider these steps recommended by the American Red Cross and other assistance groups: Provide your business with efficient, reliable document backup and storage Store copies of important documents such as insurance policies, business licenses, and property deeds in an off-site location ...
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Water Damage and Filing Claims with Insurance
8/26/2018
Property owners can benefit from understanding how to use homeowner’s insurance to cover residential water damage. Along with understanding how to get the insurer to pay for the damages, property owners should also know how to actually file the homeowner’s claim for the damages. For those who don’...
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Planting One Tree for Every Project We Complete
7/22/2018
As a restoration company, we are intimately aware of the toll a disaster can take on a community. Disasters are devastating all around. What isn’t often talked about is the toll a disaster can take on the environment. Helping restore the environment after a disaster At FIRST ...
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Earthquake Planning For Small Businesses
5/13/2018
Earthquakes are not common in the United States, but earthquake events in other parts of the world often demonstrate their brutal destructive power. The Federal Emergency Management Agency reports that no less than 45 states are at moderate to high risk of earthquakes. In April 2011 for example, an earthquake in Virginia (...
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Tips to Help With Smoke Damage
4/25/2018
A small chimney or kitchen fire can be frightening. The sight of flames can invoke panic, and if you don’t act quickly, flames may engulf your entire house. Having a fire extinguisher on hand can keep the fire at bay and smother flames. But even if you’re able ...
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15 Critical Actions to Take Before the Storm
4/13/2018
1. Don't panic and remain calm This will help you think clearly and critically. According to Dr. Robert Chandler’s 3-Dimensional Model © of Effective Leaders, three core traits can be found in the most effective crisis leaders: Strong communication skills - leaders should provide and solicit key information, engage ...
Read moreClient Stories
Client Stories
Brazil Mudslide
7/16/2020
Heavy summer rains caused a mudslide behind a major hotel in Rio de Janeiro, sending a mixture of water, mud, and debris through the entire ground level of the structure. FIRST ONSITE mobilized immediately upon receiving the call for help from the client. By using our extensive resource network, including ...
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Hurricane Dorian
7/16/2020
THE SITUATION When Hurricane Dorian formed in late August, initial projections had it on a collision course with Florida. As the days progressed, however, the storm path shifted northward, leaving municipalities and businesses up the east coast and into Canada scrambling to plan for Dorian’s potential impact ...
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Mendocino California Forest Fire Restoration Client Story
8/09/2017
The Mendocino project focused on reforestation in the wake of the 2017 Redwood Valley Fire which ravaged more than 36,000 acres of forest. Mendocino County was already facing severe drought and a bark beetle infestation that killed a significant number of trees before the fires started. Our partners worked with community associations ...
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FIRST ONSITE has helped our clients recover from a full range of unique challenges, from fires and floods to winter storms and hurricanes. Reach out today to find out how we can meet your specific needs.
How To Guides
How To Guides
Setting New Standards in the Restoration Industry
5/07/2018
FIRST ONSITE is committed to providing superior Customer Experience. Our most powerful Customer Experience initiative to date is the introduction of mobileCT: proprietary new software that empowers our teams to gather information, develop site reports and drive the job cycle directly from the field. Our insurance customers can now experience ...
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News
Business Continuity
5/18/2021
(MISSISSAUGA, Ontario, May 17, 2021) – FIRST ONSITE Property Restoration today released a survey of Canadian businesses that takes the pulse of how they prioritize emergency preparedness. Taken during the peak of the pandemic, the survey reveals that more than half of businesses (52%) have placed an increased priority on disaster preparedness ...
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Five Years After the Fires — First Onsite Reflects on Fort McMurray Wildfires
5/04/2021
The wildfire sparked on May 1, 2016 in a forest in the outskirts of Fort McMurray, Alberta. Bone-dry forests acted as kindling for this wildfire to spiral out of control. Within hours, the fire edged closer to residential and commercial Fort McMurray, and by May 3, it had engulfed approximately 2,400 homes in the ...
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First Onsite Property Restoration expands its presence in Southwestern Ontario with the opening of a new Windsor Branch
4/21/2021
(MISSISSAUGA, ON, April 20, 2021) – FIRST ONSITE Property Restoration, Canada’s leading property restoration company, has strengthened its presence in Southwestern Ontario with the opening of a new branch in Windsor. The launch of the new Windsor location demonstrates the company’s commitment to customers and insurance partners, as First Onsite seeks ...
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FIRST ONSITE Appoints Greg Tabak as Director of Commercial Business Development
1/18/2021
MISSISSAUGA, ON., January 18, 2021 - FIRST ONSITE, Canada’s leading independent disaster restoration services provider is pleased to announce the appointment of Greg Tabak as Director of Commercial Business Development. Greg’s experience spans more than thirty years in business development, account management and customer service. Over the course ...
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FIRST ONSITE Further Bolsters Commercial Team With Addition of Amy Barilla
12/16/2020
MISSISSAUGA, ON., December 16, 2020 – FIRST ONSITE, Canada’s leading independent disaster restoration services provider, has strengthened its commercial team with the addition of Amy Barilla in the role of Business Development Manager. In her new position, Amy will be the account manager contact for existing clients to ensure an ...
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FIRST ONSITE Fortifies Its Complex Commercial Team in the Prairies Region
12/11/2020
MISSISSAUGA, ON., December 11, 2020 – FIRST ONSITE , Canada’s leading independent disaster restoration services provider, has fortified its commercial team in the Prairies with the promotion of Mark Ahearn to Senior Project Manager for Complex Claims, Prairies. FIRST ONSITE ’s growth and success in the region required a skilled, experienced ...
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FIRST ONSITE Restoration grows presence in Alberta and Saskatchewan with acquisition of Spectrum Restoration
11/23/2020
(MISSISSAUGA, November 23, 2020) – FIRST ONSITE , Canada’s leading independent disaster restoration services provider, has strengthened its presence in Alberta and Saskatchewan with the signing of an agreement to acquire Spectrum Restoration, a family run business since 2006. Spectrum Restoration is a regional full-service commercial and residential restoration leader with experience ...
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FIRST ONSITE in Atlantic Canada Expands With Fredericton, NB Branch
10/27/2020
(MISSISSAUGA, October 28, 2020) – FIRST ONSITE, Canada’s leading independent disaster restoration services provider, has strengthened its presence in Atlantic Canada with the launch of a new branch in Fredericton, New Brunswick. The move expands FIRST ONSITE’s presence and leadership in the property restoration business across the region, strengthening the company’...
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Growth for Winnipeg Branch
10/27/2020
(MISSISSAUGA, October 28, 2020) – FIRST ONSITE, Canada’s leading independent disaster restoration services provider, expands in Winnipeg with the relocation to a larger branch facility. The need for the new location was driven by business growth in the region. In three years, the company has expanded significantly from six to 25 employees who ...
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FIRST ONSITE Reinforces Victoria Team
9/23/2020
MISSISAUGA, ON., September 23, 2020 – FIRST ONSITE, Canada’s leading independent disaster restoration services provider, has further strengthened its B.C. leadership team with the addition of Alan Zyla, Branch Manager, Victoria. Alan is a veteran of disaster restoration and damaged property appraisal with more than 34 years of experience. He ...
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FIRST ONSITE Strengthens Senior Leadership Team
9/16/2020
MISSISAUGA, ON., September 16, 2020 – FIRST ONSITE, Canada’s leading independent disaster restoration services provider, has further enhanced its senior leadership team with the addition of Robert (Bob) Fellows as Senior Vice President, Specialty Insurance. At FIRST ONSITE, Bob will work closely with the company’s regional leaders, national operations ...
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FIRST ONSITE Acquires Keith Moore Construction
2/19/2020
(MISSISSAUGA, February 19, 2020) – FIRST ONSITE, Canada’s leading independent disaster restoration services provider, has strengthened its presence in Ontario with the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire Barrie-based, J. Keith Moore Construction Limited (Keith Moore Construction) – a firm that specializes in insurance restoration across Simcoe County and surrounding areas. FIRST ...
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FIRST ONSITE Acquires JPL Disaster Recovery
9/03/2019
MISSISAUGA, Ontario, Sept. 03, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FIRST ONSITE, Canada’s leading independent disaster restoration services provider, has completed its previously announced agreement to acquire JPL Disaster Recovery, a company with more than 50-years’ experience and expertise in ...
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Acquisition Creates Industry Giant
5/31/2016
May 31, 2016 (Press Release) - FT. WORTH, TX - FIRST ONSITE LLC, already a U.S. leader in disaster recovery efforts on a commercial scale, has climbed the ranks in continental stature by completing the acquisition of FirstOnSite Restoration G.P. Inc. in Canada. As a result of the transaction, FIRST ...
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