EAP: What Is It?

Shawn Folks • July 8, 2020

You never know when a disaster might strike at your business. Whether it is 2:00 AM or 8:00 PM, Guarantee Restoration Services certainly understand that most often, emergency damage does not occur within an eight-hour, weekday window. That is why it is extremely important to implement an emergency action plan (EAP). These discuss determined actions employers and employees must take to ensure employee safety from fire, water and other property emergencies. An EAP is an excellent way to protect yourself, your employees, and your business if an emergency occurs.


Fortunately, formulating a complete emergency action plan that deals with issues specific to your worksite is not difficult. In fact, there are many templates available out there that you can customize to fit your industry or needs. You just need to do a little bit of research! Here are some ideas to get you started.


Also, you may find it helpful to include your management team and other employees in the creation process. First, you should explain your goal of protecting lives and property in the event of an emergency. Their participation and input will help you understand what they deem important. They could also make suggestions that you had not previously considered. All these things are crucial to the plan’s success.


As you are developing your EAP, it is a great idea to look at a wide variety of potential emergencies that could happen in your workplace. It should be customized to your worksite and include information about all possible emergency sources.
When creating your businesses’ emergency action plan, you should also complete a hazard assessment. This test determines what, if any, physical or chemical hazards in your workplaces could cause an emergency. If you have more than one worksite, each site should have an emergency action plan specific to its location. For instance, each of Guarantee Restoration’s four branches would have its own EAP.



At the very least, your emergency action plan should include the following items:

  • A chosen method for reporting fire, water damage or other emergencies.
  • A standardized evacuation policy and procedure.
  • Emergency escape procedures and route assignments (for departments or office areas), such as floor plans, workplace maps, and clearly identified safe areas.
  • Names, titles, departments and telephone numbers of individuals both within and outside your company to contact for additional information or explanation of duties and responsibilities under the emergency plan. These may include insurance representatives or first responder personnel.
  • Procedures for employees who must remain present to perform or shut down critical plant operations, operate fire extinguishers, or perform other essential services that cannot be shut down for every emergency alarm prior to evacuating.
  • Rescue and medical duties for any workers designated to perform them.


In addition to these suggestions, you may want to consider designating an assembly location and procedures to account for all employees following an evacuation. Your plan must include a way to alert employees, including disabled workers, to evacuate or take other action, and how to report emergencies. It is chiefly important to have an EAP created ahead of time. Oftentimes, a disorganized evacuation can result in confusion, injury and further property damage.


While having an emergency action plan in place is imperative, you may also think about having some pre-loss planning services done at your business. GRS utilizes Matterport technology to take scans of your property that can be used in the insurance process once a loss does occur. You can read more about these services on our website or blog.


At the end of the day, we recognize that most emergencies do not occur during business hours. Even with a plan in place, you may still need to call upon the experts. Our team of dedicated professionals is available 24/7, for any water, fire or wind property damage that needs immediate attention. If your business has experienced property damage, contact us at 1-800-349-HELP (4357) or email info@guaranteerestoration.net.

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Why Pre-Loss Planning Matters for Lafayette Properties on the Gulf Coast

By Jeremy Cryer • May 27, 2026
On the Gulf Coast, preparation isn’t optional. It’s simply a part of doing business. From hurricane season to heavy rain events and everything in between, properties in Lafayette face a different level of risk than most. And when something does happen, the difference between a smooth recovery and a stressful situation often comes down to one thing: having a plan in place with the right team. Why Pre-Loss Planning Looks Different in Lafayette Pre-loss planning looks a little different here because the risks are different. It’s not just about knowing where your shutoffs are or having a list of contacts. It’s about understanding how quickly a storm can shift, how water can move through a property, and how to respond when multiple buildings or locations are impacted at once. That kind of preparation requires more than a template. It requires local knowledge. At Guarantee Restoration Services, our Lafayette team builds pre-loss plans with that in mind. We take into account the specific challenges that come with properties in Acadiana, including wind-driven rain, tornado threats, and the potential for widespread damage across an entire area. That allows us to create a plan that is realistic, not just theoretical. The Importance of Having a Clear Path Forward “We’ve seen how quickly things can escalate during a storm event. Having a pre-loss plan in place gives our clients a clear path forward instead of trying to figure it out in the middle of the chaos,” said Craig Rose, Mitigation Manager at our Lafayette Branch. That “clear path forward” is what makes the biggest difference. When a storm hits, response times are everything, but so is access. Roads can be blocked, power can be out, and communication can be limited. A strong pre-loss plan accounts for those variables and ensures that response efforts can begin as soon as it is safe to do so. Protecting Operations, Employees, and Tenants It also helps property teams stay focused on what matters most. Instead of trying to coordinate vendors, track down information, or make high-pressure decisions, they can follow a plan that has already been built around their property and their priorities. From a business standpoint, that level of preparation protects more than just the building. It protects operations, tenants, employees, and timelines. Building Trust Before Disaster Strikes “Pre-loss planning is about building trust before there’s ever a problem. Our clients know who to call, what to expect, and how we’re going to support them when something happens,” said Paige Hebert, Business Development Representative in Lafayette. That trust and familiarity matter, especially in a region where large-scale events can impact entire communities at once. You are not just calling a company, you are calling a team that already understands your property, your risks, and your expectations. Be Realistic. Be Ready. Pre-loss planning on the Gulf Coast is not about over-preparing. It is about being realistic and ready. Because when the next storm comes through Lafayette, it is not a matter of if you will need a plan—it is a matter of how well that plan works when it is put to the test. Call us today to schedule your Pre-Loss Planning meeting where 24/7 is not just a number… it’s a GUARANTEE!
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