HEALTH & SAFETY
THE FM ROLE IN DISASTER RECOVERY
Hein Hemke, MD of BELFOR UK, on why the first 48 hours after a disaster are critical for facilities management teams.
When a fire, flood or water escape strikes a building, the first 48 hours are the most decisive. It’s the window where the right actions can prevent secondary damage, protect people and set the entire recovery on the right path. For FMs, their preparation, partnership and clear decision making make the biggest difference to safety, wellbeing and continuity. This ensures their organisation is prepared, expert support is activated, and a safe, structured response is coordinated.
In the hours following a disaster In the immediate aftermath of an incident, uncertainty is often the biggest challenge. Business owners want answers, occupants need reassurance and landlords expect clarity on what happens next. This human element is as critical as the physical damage itself. FM teams are the first point of coordination, and their ability to bring structure to those early moments helps stabilise the situation long before any technical work begins.
Once emergency services have been contacted, the next step is to call the organisation’s disaster recovery partner. This is where speed matters. The first 24 to 48 hours determine whether damage is contained or escalates, and delays can quickly translate into extended downtime, higher costs and greater disruption. A clear escalation route removes uncertainty and ensures expert support is mobilised immediately.
From this point, specialist restoration teams take the lead on technical assessments, hazard identification and emergency mitigation. Their role is to make the site safe, stabilise the environment and prevent further deterioration. The FM role shifts into coordination and communication – keeping stakeholders informed, supporting occupants and staying closely connected with the recovery partner.
Supporting FM teams when it matters most The early hours after a disaster can be demanding for even the most experienced FM professionals. Stakeholders may be distressed, frustrated or urgently seeking updates. In these moments, the right recovery partner becomes an extension of the FM team.
40 | TOMORROW’S FM
At BELFOR UK, our frontline professionals bring more than technical skill. As the first people on site, they understand the importance of clear, calm and empathetic communication when supporting FMs and those affected by an incident. By explaining what they’re seeing, outlining next steps and helping set realistic expectations, they support FMs to communicate confidently with business owners, occupants, landlords and leadership teams.
Beginning recovery before disaster strikes The rise in climate driven incidents means that disasters are no longer rare anomalies. They are becoming part of the operational risk landscape for organisations across the UK. For FM teams, this reinforces the importance of preparedness; this means having clear evacuation plans, defined responsibilities and established recovery partnerships.
Preparedness isn’t just operational; it’s a wellbeing safeguard. When people know there is a plan, stress levels drop. When teams understand who is coming, what will happen next and how long stabilisation is likely to take, the load becomes more manageable - psychologically and physically.
This is where priority access becomes critical. Our RED ALERT programme is designed for exactly these moments. One call to the 24 hour hotline activates the service, ensuring your incident is prioritised even during large scale events. For corporate clients, from SMEs to major organisations, this means faster attendance, quicker stabilisation and reduced downtime.
But RED ALERT is more than a fast track. It gives organisations confidence so that, when the unexpected happens, they’re not starting from scratch. They’re activating a plan that’s already in place, with a trusted partner ready to respond.
With a structured plan, a reliable partner, and priority access to expert support, FM teams can protect wellbeing, minimise disruption and set recovery on the right path, safely and confidently.
www.belfor.com/uk
twitter.com/TomorrowsFM
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