Natural and non-natural or human-induced disasters are commonplace worldwide. From hurricanes to wildfires, these devastating events negatively impact many people’s lives. However, with help from disaster restoration workers and service providers, they can restore properties and means of livelihood to usable conditions.
What are disaster restoration services?
Disaster restoration services work to restore the property and other infrastructure destroyed by disasters, such as floods, hurricanes, fires, and other natural and non-natural disasters. They’re usually conducted by state-licensed restoration companies well-trained in repairing damage, fixing property, and clearing and cleaning up the after-effects of these disasters.
Technicians do disaster restoration services with years of training and hands-on experience. This ensures all cleanup and repairs are done right. After a natural disaster, restoration firms visit the site to ascertain the extent of damage and start planning the restoration process. The first step is usually cleaning the area, removing all harmful debris, and then rebuilding and repairing commences.
How to prepare for a disaster restoration career
- Consider your career path
There are many roles you can take in disaster restoration. While preparing to work in this industry, decide what path you’d like to take, your specialty. An example of specialization is habitat restoration. There are also desk jobs available if you prefer the path of administration and support services. Once your entry point is figured out, you can map out how you intend to grow from one position to the other.
2. Acquire training
Although it’s possible to begin the job with no training and learn on the job, getting some training can help better prepare you for a role in disaster management. Some significant areas to acquire training in this industry are water, fire, and mold restoration.
These are some of the most common types of property damages, whether you’ll be working on residential or commercial properties. Several courses are available to sharpen your skills, and having one or more under your belt can make you stand out from competing candidates.
3. Gain experience
Finding an entry-level position is the first step to learning how things work in disaster restoration. Getting experience is usually relatively easy, and you’ll gain hands-on skills and watch seasoned professionals at work. Watching professionals execute repairs firsthand helps new candidates assimilate work processes and real-world skills. The job may be stressful with long hours, but it’s a gratifying career path for many.
Training and education required to work in disaster restoration
To have a career in disaster restoration services or building restoration services, candidates must have at least completed education at the high school level with a diploma or equivalent. They may then take certification courses or an associate degree program in a related field, such as carpentry or maintenance to enhance their knowledge.
Many workers in the industry begin by learning on the job. You’ll start as an observer or help with minor tasks like clearing debris. These tasks don’t require expertise or handling dangerous tools, so they’re an excellent way to enter the industry. While learning on the job, you’ll have to take some training to ensure you can handle tasks like using power tools.
This training helps improve the skills you’ve learned on the job or choose a field of specialization. You may also need to sit for the Certified Restorer Prerequisite Course by National Restorers Organizations. It’s also important to verify the state requirements for disaster restoration workers where you’ll be working to ensure you’re not breaking any rules.
Disaster restoration services companies currently hiring
WSP
WSP is an AEC company established 130 years ago. The company is headquartered in the United States, with operations in multiple countries. WSP challenges itself by developing innovative solutions for societies that thrive. Its disaster management department has years of experience and different capabilities in emergency management, including preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation of natural disasters.
Capabilities
- Preparedness training, exercises, and planning
- Disaster response
- Hazard mitigation, resilience, and sustainability
- Recovery through individual and public assistance
- Economic and risk analyses
- Damage assessment
- Environmental cleanup
- Aid management and distribution
- Cost recovery
RegasGroup
RegasGroup is a family-owned environmental consulting firm located in San Francisco, California. The company’s specialty is comprehensive hazardous material assessments in residential and commercial properties. They pride themselves on using the latest technology to conduct inspections, allowing them to meet client demands.
Services
- Asbestos
- Bacteria
- Mold
- Lead
- Radon
- Silica
- VOCs
- Soils
- Soot, char, and ash
SLS
Also known as SLSCO, SLS is a construction management and general contracting firm that provides various emergency and disaster response services. SLS is committed to delivering its clients the highest levels of excellence and integrity. The firm has been operating for twenty-seven years and works in private and governmental industries in the United States and worldwide.
Services
- Man camps and base camps
- Emergency services
- Rapid repair housing
- Responder housing
- field hospitals
- Emergency sheltering
- Emergency feeding
Aptim
Aptim is a construction firm located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. They provide critical infrastructure, support first responders in disaster restoration, and create sustainable communities. They champion clean energy and provide their services to government, industrial, and commercial customers.
Services
- Critical infrastructure
- Resilience
- Environmental
- Technical and data solutions
- Program management
- Sustainability and energy solutions
Tidal Basin Group
Tidal Basin is a preparedness and disaster recovery firm located in New York. Their team of experts provides their services and the company’s unmatched resources to communities, governments, and businesses. Tidal Basin uses Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grants to provide emergency response, recovery, and mitigation. They’ve actively participated in restoration services after major disasters in North America, using their resources and solutions to maximize recovery.
Services
- Disaster software solutions
- Grant management
- Preparedness
- Risk consulting
- Disaster recovery
Certis Solutions: Work with a technical staffing agency
A technical staffing agency can help you begin your career in disaster restoration services. Certis Solutions is skilled at making our clients stand out to employers. We’ll review your resume and qualification to ensure you’re matched with the right jobs in our database. Contact us today to get started.