We sat down with industry veteran Norris Gearhart to tackle the critical issue of how the restoration industry can better prepare for and respond to public health emergencies. Norris shared insights on the gaps in our current systems, key lessons from past outbreaks and the need for the industry to improve education, accountability and adoption of proper health and safety practices.

Norris Gearhart is a veteran executive and consultant with experience in construction, disaster response, manufacturing, pharma, biotech, logistics and a military background. He focuses on change management, growth strategies, culture shifts and crisis recovery with global consulting experience across six continents. Norris has served on industry boards and teaches top certifications like Certified Restorer, IICRC, CI and CTI.

In this Q&A, Norris emphasizes the importance of proactive preparation, science-backed education and a culture of accountability within the restoration industry to effectively address future public health crises.

Q: Where do you see the most critical gaps currently in public health and emergency response systems and how can they be addressed in a proactive manner?

A: One of the biggest gaps is public education on risks and how to deal with them. The public's trust in the public health systems was eroded during COVID-19 because they weren't educating the public appropriately. For example, the misconceptions around the flu shot demonstrate a breakdown in public health communication. We need to provide the full picture - the science behind why vaccines are important, not just mandates. Proactive, ongoing education using science-backed information is crucial.

Q: What lessons have we learned from past responses to infectious disease outbreaks that are most applicable today?

A: The key lesson is the need for proactive preparation and education, not just reactive response. With COVID-19 being a large envelope virus, we got lucky in some ways, but the next pandemic could involve a small, non-enveloped airborne virus that is much harder to inactivate. If we face a pathogen like that with our current attitudes and lack of preparation, the death and misery could be catastrophic. We must get ahead of these threats by truly understanding the science and educating ourselves and the public.

Q: How can the restoration industry better prepare for and respond to public health emergencies?

A: As an industry, we need to start by ensuring we are doing things the right way ourselves. We need to follow the science, validate our equipment and processes and create a culture of accountability. Too often, we've become complacent or taken shortcuts, putting ourselves and others at risk. We must be willing to challenge the status quo, learn from other industries and make the necessary investments in training and proper procedures. Only then can we be a trusted partner in public health emergencies.

Q: What are some of the common misunderstandings or improper practices you see in the use of disinfectants and air filtration equipment? 

A: There are many misconceptions around the proper use of disinfectants and HEPA equipment. For example, most people don't realize that Lysol needs to remain wet on a surface for 10 minutes to be effective. With HEPA equipment, unless it's regularly tested and validated, you can't assume it's filtering to HEPA standards. The same goes for HEPA vacuums, they need to be retested every time they're opened to empty. There's a lot of misinformation and sloppy practices in our industry that put our teams and customers at risk.

Q: How can the restoration industry work to improve education and accountability around these critical health and safety practices?

A: It starts with each of us being willing to challenge our own assumptions and practices. We need to be humble enough to admit when we don't know something or have been doing things incorrectly. Then we need to proactively seek out the right information and training and create a culture where everyone is empowered to speak up and do things the right way, every time. Partnering with public health agencies, researchers and other industries can also help us identify gaps in our knowledge and improve our practices. It's an ongoing process, but one that is essential for our industry to be a true leader in public health protection.