Journal Notes—July 2019

by Michael Hamline, Editor / Published July 2019

    Welcome to FLCAJ’s first summer “Leaders in the Industry” special. Paired with our November “Women in the Industry” article, this write-up, which is located on page 6, offers a rounded picture of a group of more than 30 exceptional industry professionals. They are highly deserving of our recognition and congratulations.

     A full month of the 2019 hurricane season has gone down in the record books. However, there is still a large part of the season left, and it is never too late to get your community prepared to face a hurricane or another natural disaster. In the article “Preparing for Hurricanes and Beyond” on page 22, four CAMs share their advice for getting communities ready for hurricanes and dealing with their aftermath.

     Regan Marock with AKAM On-Site shares, “Exact plans need to be put in place in regard to the mechanical systems and when they will be taken offline.”

     Florida CAM Schools’ Betsy Barbieux lists the many types of emergencies and events beyond hurricanes that managers should consider and plan for.

     Monique Johnson with FirstService Residential remarks, “Communication and preparation are key to getting through hurricanes with the least damage possible.” She points out it is important to establish a communications system before the storm arrives, keep communication flowing for as long as you can during the storm, and update residents daily on cleanup and repair work.

     Robyn Rocco is with Landex Resort International and shares lessons learned from one of their communities after Hurricane Irma hit it in 2017. She says, “…We recommend having all your important information combined at one location, such as a binder or portable waterproof safe.”

     In “Get Ready for the Storm: Roof Maintenance Planning Can Help You Weather the Worst” on page 60, Gregg Wallick of Best Roofing talks about how critical it is for a community to take care of its roof and how often it is overlooked. He says community associations should create a historical file, conduct periodic inspections, and utilize preventive maintenance.

    Casey Crowther of Target Roofing has written the article “Prepare Your Roof for a Hurricane Before You’re in the Forecast Cone” on page 70. He comments, “…A roof damaged during a tropical storm or hurricane doesn’t just mean you’ll need to repair or replace your roof after the storm. It could mean you’ll need to replace everything inside…”

     Stay safe this hurricane season and enjoy your 4th of July celebrations.

Editor