FIRE SAFETY & DISASTER RECOVERY RECOVERY BEGINS BEFORE THE FIRE STARTS
Hein Hemke, MD of BELFOR UK, explains why the first 48 hours after a fire are critical and how preparedness can shape the speed and success of restoration.
The screech of an alarm, the rush to evacuate… and the silence that follows. In those first disorienting moments after a fire, facilities management teams face more than smoke and damage; they face decisions that shape recovery, reputation, and resilience.
Countdown to recovery From site access to stakeholder reassurance, what happens immediately after the flames is as important as the systems designed to avert them. The clock starts ticking as soon as the fire is out. These first 24-48 hours are critical and set the course for successful restoration.
As soon as the site is deemed safe to access, experts from your disaster recovery and restoration partner should assess hazards, secure the premises, and ensure emergency mitigation efforts begin. These may include debris removal, temporary power installation, and the identification and safe handling of hazardous materials. Where environmental conditions pose a risk to contents or infrastructure, equipment is deployed to regulate temperature and humidity.
This phase is critical because swift action can prevent secondary damage and reduce long-term costs. Conversely, delays in these early interventions can compound damage, complicate insurance claims, and disrupt continuity planning.
Following initial mitigation, skilled technicians conduct a detailed damage assessment to determine the most effective route to recovery. This includes triage and salvage, identifying which areas and items are restorable and which are beyond repair. Unaffected or salvageable contents are carefully removed to prevent further deterioration. Meanwhile, affected items are carefully packed and transported to specialist workshops for cleaning, decontamination, and odour control.
Once stabilisation is complete, restoration teams work to return the property to its pre-fire condition. The process is then handed over to reinstatement specialists who manage any necessary repairs, from plastering and tiling to electrical and plumbing works. A single, dependable partner overseeing both restoration and reinstatement helps streamline scoping, material ordering, and scheduling, reducing delays and ensuring continuity throughout.
The culture of preparedness Facilities managers who maintain pre-approved disaster recovery relationships and clear response pathways are better positioned to act decisively. In high-stakes environments, whether residential, commercial, or public sector, the ability to mobilise within hours can make the difference between recovery and replacement.
26 | TOMORROW’S FM
That’s where BELFOR UK’s priority response programme, RED ALERT can make all the difference. It's a proactive solution, designed specifically for corporate clients, offering priority access to restoration services when every minute counts. Whether you're an SME or a multinational, RED ALERT ensures your emergency is treated with urgency, even when demand is high and resources are under pressure. In moments of crisis, even large- scale incidents, it prioritises your emergency, helping organisations reduce disruption, contain costs, and accelerate their return to normal operations.
Yet the true value lies in what happens before disaster strikes. RED ALERT is rooted in readiness. It equips businesses with a pre-agreed recovery framework, so that when the unexpected occurs, there’s no delay or confusion, just immediate action.
We work closely with clients to understand the nuances of each site. As part of the onboarding process, we conduct a comprehensive assessment that maps out critical infrastructure and identifies potential risks. This is developed into a tailored recovery plan that’s both practical and preventative. A detailed site blueprint, highlighting key access points and priority areas, travels with our response teams, enabling restoration to begin the moment they arrive.
Preparedness is what turns a fire from a catastrophe into a controlled response. When flames threaten to halt operations, damage property, or displace residents, having a plan in place means the difference between chaos and coordination.
www.belfor.com/uk
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