Inside Restoration & Recovery

BMS CAT

Follow along for more episodes and conversations that explore real-life restoration projects and impactful recovery stories from across the country.

  1. Real Leaders Don’t Wait for Landfall

    19h ago ·  Video

    Real Leaders Don’t Wait for Landfall

    On this episode of Inside Restoration & Recovery, host Martha Lewis welcomes Shadira Jones, General Manager of BMS CAT's Tampa office, for a conversation about hurricane preparedness, crisis leadership, and what it takes to help businesses recover when disaster strikes. Drawing from her experience leading response efforts during back-to-back hurricanes that impacted Florida, Shadira shares how preparation begins long before a storm appears in the forecast. From conducting facility walkthroughs and identifying vulnerable areas to developing emergency action plans and staging equipment ahead of landfall, she explains why proactive planning is one of the most valuable services BMS CAT provides its customers. The discussion also explores what happens behind the scenes when multiple storms threaten the same region. Shadira describes how her team balances customer needs with employee safety, coordinates equipment and personnel across affected areas, and maintains constant communication to keep both customers and field teams informed throughout the response. Beyond the operational side of disaster recovery, Shadira reflects on how leading through major hurricanes has shaped her as a leader. She shares the importance of empathy, supporting employees who may be dealing with their own storm damage, and creating a culture where communication, teamwork, and trust remain priorities even during the most demanding situations. Whether you're a commercial property owner, facilities leader, or simply interested in how restoration teams prepare for large-scale disasters, this episode offers practical advice on emergency planning, business continuity, and the value of building relationships before an emergency occurs. Listen now to hear why Shadira believes preparation, communication, and putting people first are the keys to navigating hurricane season—and why at BMS CAT, "we stay ready so we don't have to get ready."

    13 min
  2. Why Is Downtime So Critical in Healthcare?

    6d ago ·  Bonus Video

    Why Is Downtime So Critical in Healthcare?

    In healthcare environments, downtime is not just a business interruption. It can directly impact patient care. Hospitals and healthcare facilities operate around the clock, serving patients with urgent and often life-critical needs. When an area of a facility becomes unavailable due to water damage, fire, construction, or another disruption, every minute matters. In this soundbite, Jeremy James explains why minimizing downtime is one of the highest priorities when responding to healthcare facilities. Unlike many commercial properties that can temporarily relocate operations or pause certain activities, hospitals must remain ready to care for patients at all times. Doctors, nurses, and support staff depend on access to critical spaces and systems to deliver care safely and efficiently. Jeremy discusses how BMS CAT approaches healthcare projects with a sense of urgency, recognizing that every delay can create additional challenges for facility teams and the patients they serve. The goal is not only to complete the work, but to restore affected areas as quickly as possible while maintaining a safe environment and minimizing disruption to ongoing operations. This healthcare-focused approach requires careful planning, coordination, and execution. By working closely with facility leaders and understanding the unique demands of the healthcare environment, BMS CAT helps organizations maintain continuity during restoration projects and emergency situations. Jeremy's perspective serves as a reminder that in healthcare, restoration is about more than repairing buildings. It is about supporting the people who provide care and helping ensure patients continue to receive the services they need without interruption. When downtime is reduced, healthcare teams can stay focused on their most important responsibility: caring for patients.

    1 min
  3. How Do You Work Around Hospitals Operations

    Jun 23 ·  Bonus Video

    How Do You Work Around Hospitals Operations

    Healthcare facilities face a unique challenge when restoration or construction work needs to be completed. Unlike many commercial environments, hospitals and healthcare campuses cannot simply shut down operations while work is being performed. Patient care must continue, staff must remain productive, and critical services must stay accessible throughout the project. In this soundbite, Jeremy James explains how BMS CAT works collaboratively with healthcare leaders and facility teams to develop customized project plans that minimize disruption while allowing necessary work to move forward. Rather than approaching a project with a one-size-fits-all solution, the team begins by understanding how the facility operates and identifying which areas must remain functional throughout the process. Jeremy describes how BMS CAT uses floor plans, containment strategies, and phased work schedules to carefully sequence projects. By dividing work into manageable phases, teams can complete restoration activities in specific areas while allowing other offices, departments, or patient care spaces to remain open and operational. This approach helps healthcare organizations continue serving patients while important restoration, mitigation, or improvement work is underway. A key part of the process is collaboration. Healthcare leaders understand their operational needs better than anyone, and successful project execution depends on working hand in hand to create a strategy that supports those requirements. Through communication, planning, and flexibility, BMS CAT helps healthcare facilities navigate complex projects with minimal interruption to daily operations. Jeremy's perspective highlights an important principle in healthcare restoration: success is not just about completing the work. It's about completing the work while allowing the facility to continue fulfilling its mission of caring for patients.

    1 min
  4. What Should Every Hospital Have Before Disaster Strikes

    Jun 22 ·  Bonus Video

    What Should Every Hospital Have Before Disaster Strikes

    Jeremy James discusses why emergency planning is one of the most important investments a healthcare facility can make before a disaster occurs. Hospitals operate in an environment where downtime is not simply an inconvenience. Critical departments, patient care areas, and life-safety systems must remain operational even during emergencies. That is why proactive planning and coordination are essential. In this soundbite, Jeremy explains how BMS CAT works closely with hospital leadership and facility teams long before an event takes place. Through planning meetings and preparedness discussions, teams identify critical operational areas, establish response priorities, and develop clear procedures for how a restoration response will be executed if an emergency occurs. These conversations cover everything from facility access and security requirements to equipment staging locations and communication protocols. Rather than waiting for a disaster to happen and reacting under pressure, healthcare organizations that invest in pre-planning are better positioned to respond quickly and effectively when an event occurs. By identifying expectations, responsibilities, and operational needs ahead of time, hospitals can minimize disruptions and focus on maintaining patient care during challenging situations. Jeremy emphasizes that successful disaster response begins well before a storm, water loss, or other emergency impacts a facility. When restoration partners, facility managers, and hospital leadership have already established a plan, everyone understands their role and can execute with confidence. The result is a more coordinated response, faster decision-making, and greater resilience for the healthcare institution when it matters most.

    1 min
  5. Why Large-Scale Restorations Aren't Just "Bigger Jobs"

    Jun 19 ·  Bonus Video

    Why Large-Scale Restorations Aren't Just "Bigger Jobs"

    Kacie Chappell shares her insights on why large-scale restoration projects require a fundamentally different approach than smaller losses. While it may be easy to assume that a major disaster is simply a larger version of a routine restoration project, Kacie explains that the level of expertise, planning, logistics, and resources required increases dramatically as the scope of the loss grows. From coordinating specialized equipment and personnel to managing complex content restoration efforts, large-scale recoveries demand a trusted partner with proven experience and nationwide capabilities. Drawing on BMS CAT's more than 75 years of experience, Kacie discusses how successful recovery efforts often depend on having access to specialized resources that many restoration providers simply do not have. She highlights examples of large-scale projects that required equipment and support from multiple regions, as well as the careful handling, documentation, and chain-of-custody procedures needed to restore valuable contents and return them to their owners. Whether the event is a hurricane, flood, fire, power outage, or another unexpected disaster, Kacie emphasizes the importance of partnering with an organization that has the depth of experience to navigate complex situations and help clients recover efficiently. Her perspective reinforces a key lesson for facility managers and property owners alike: when a major loss occurs, experience matters. Having a restoration partner with the people, processes, and resources to respond at scale can make all the difference in protecting assets, minimizing disruption, and helping organizations get back to business as quickly as possible.

    1 min
  6. Hurricane Preparedness: Planning, Response, and Recovery for Commercial Operations

    May 6 ·  Video

    Hurricane Preparedness: Planning, Response, and Recovery for Commercial Operations

    Hurricane season is approaching, and for commercial facilities, preparation isn’t optional, it’s critical. Join BMS CAT for a live webinar, “Hurricane Preparedness: Planning, Response, and Recovery for Commercial Operations,” on May 6th, where industry experts will break down what it truly takes to prepare for, respond to, and recover from a major storm event. This panel brings together a powerful mix of perspectives. Sarah Dillingham, Senior Meteorologist and former Weather Channel and CNN producer, will provide insight into storm patterns, forecasting, and what to expect this season. Brandi Richard Thompson, a former FEMA and DHS official with over 20 years of experience, will share practical strategies for preparedness, risk mitigation, and emergency response planning. Representing real-world field operations, Shadira Jones, General Manager at BMS CAT in Tampa, will offer firsthand insight into what actually happens on-site when a storm hits and how preparation directly impacts recovery outcomes. Together, this panel will bridge the gap between planning and reality, offering actionable takeaways for facilities managers, property owners, and operations leaders.

    54 min
  7. Lessons Learned from Winter Storm Damage

    Mar 11 ·  Bonus Video

    Lessons Learned from Winter Storm Damage

    Winter storms can leave behind more damage than what’s immediately visible. While frozen pipes and roof leaks are common during extreme cold, the real concern often appears after temperatures rise and systems begin to thaw. Water may seep into walls, ceilings, and flooring, creating hidden moisture that property owners don’t discover until weeks later. This winter season, many buildings experienced issues caused by freezing temperatures—burst pipes, roof ice damage, and slow leaks that continued long after the storm had passed. Even small amounts of trapped moisture can lead to long-term structural damage or mold growth if it isn’t addressed quickly. That’s why a post-storm inspection is one of the most important steps property owners can take after severe winter weather. Checking vulnerable areas such as mechanical rooms, ceilings, pipe runs, and exterior walls can help identify hidden issues before they spread. At BMS CAT, our teams specialize in identifying and addressing water damage caused by extreme weather events. With the right tools and expertise, we can detect hidden moisture, assess potential damage, and help restore your property safely and efficiently. If your property experienced freezing temperatures this season, consider scheduling a professional inspection. Acting early can help prevent larger problems down the road.

    1 min
  8. Prevent Mold After a Winter Leak

    Mar 10 ·  Bonus Video

    Prevent Mold After a Winter Leak

    Water damage during winter months can quickly lead to mold growth if it isn’t handled properly. After a leak or burst pipe, the first 24 to 48 hours are critical. Moisture trapped behind walls, beneath flooring, or inside insulation creates the perfect environment for mold to begin developing. Many property owners assume that once visible water is cleaned up, the problem is solved. However, surface drying alone often isn’t enough. Materials like drywall, insulation, and subflooring can hold moisture long after the visible water is gone. If these materials remain damp, mold can begin to grow and spread throughout the affected area. Proper drying requires specialized equipment and moisture detection tools to ensure that hidden areas are fully addressed. Identifying trapped moisture early helps prevent structural damage, indoor air quality issues, and costly remediation down the road. At BMS CAT, our teams use standardized response protocols and professional drying equipment to identify hidden moisture and restore affected areas safely. As a company-owned national restoration partner, we help property owners respond quickly and confidently after water damage occurs. If your property experiences a water leak this winter, a professional moisture inspection can help ensure that mold never has the chance to start.

    1 min
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Follow along for more episodes and conversations that explore real-life restoration projects and impactful recovery stories from across the country.

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