Contractors
Run CAT operations like a system, not a scramble
Written by Andy Kruger
BuildSOS CEO
The contractors who thrive in disaster response aren’t the ones who work the hardest in the chaos. They’re the ones who had a system before the chaos started. This guide covers the operational playbook end to end: getting ready before the season starts, triaging the first hours after a disaster, running recovery operations, rebuilding for resilience, and coordinating with FEMA and relief agencies without losing your own timeline.
What's in this guide
Pre-season readiness
What to lock down before the season starts, not after the first call comes in.
Rapid assessment & triage
The first 72 hours, hour by hour, that decide who books the job.
Recovery operations
Running a job pipeline through weeks of surge demand without burning out your crew.
Rebuild for resilience
Turning a repair into an upgrade that protects the client next time.
Coordinating with FEMA & relief agencies
Working with, not around, the agencies that control resources and information.
About the author
Andy Kruger
Andy Kruger is CEO of BuildSOS, author of When the Storm Comes, and sits on multiple boards and advisory groups shaping disaster resilience policy and research.
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