Are You Prepared?

How prepared are you to handle the affects of a natural disaster? Natural disasters come in many forms: hurricanes, tropical depressions, storm surges, high winds, tornadoes and flooding – affecting communities and businesses in the Southeastern United States.

Professor Gray, of the University of Colorado, forecasted the Atlantic and Gulf Coast 2008 hurricane season to be more active than usual. Conditions in the Atlantic are very favorable for an active hurricane season because of the continued increase of the Atlantic water temperature. The 2008 forecast of named storms is 15 and the number of hurricanes is eight with an estimated 44% chance that a category 3, 4 or 5 will make landfall on the Gulf Coast.

24-Hour Emergency Response Program

Stuart C. Irby Co. specializes in disaster preparation and recovery with its 24-Hour Emergency Response Program. When conditions are at their worst, Irby is at its best. Our 24- hour Emergency Response Program ensures that you can get the products and resources you need, when you need them the most. Irby’s network of strategically located branches allows us to respond rapidly and maintain a reliable supply chain for the duration of the storm. When disaster strikes, the best protection is knowing what to do. By knowing vulnerability and what actions need to be taken, we can help you reduce the effects of a natural disaster.

Be prepared with Irby Storm Stock

Irby will work with you to make sure the products you need during storm situations will be available for you. This assures optimum response time enabling you to provide faster, better service to your customers.

Readiness Has Its Rewards

Prepare a Disaster Supply Kit. Make a checklist of electrical supplies most commonly destroyed and replaced during and after a natural disaster. Use the following list as a reminder to help you be prepared before a storm affects you:

  • Repair sleeves
  • Crossarms and braces
  • Insulators
  • Connectors and clamps
  • Protective arresters and switches
  • Wire and cable
  • Pole line hardware
  • Ground rods and grounding wire
  • Anchors and rods
  • Line construction tools
  • Personnel safety devices
  • Tie wire
  • Staples
  • Men Working signs
  • Lighting fixtures

Businesses and industries can limit injuries and damages and return more quickly to normal operations if they plan ahead. Emergency Management is the process of preparing for, mitigating, responding to and recovering from an emergency.

  • It enhances a company’s ability to recover from financial losses, regulatory fines, loss of market share, damages to equipment or products or business interruption.
  • It enhances a company’s image and credibility with employees, customers, suppliers, and the community.
  • It may reduce insurance premiums.

Visit our website at http://www.irby.com/resources/resources_main.asp and download a copy of FEMA’s Emergency Management Guide for Business and Industry. It’s a step-bystep approach to emergency planning, response and recovery for companies of all sizes.