CAT Planning and 3D Documentation Essentials

John Reasoner shares the two CAT readiness practices that prevent secondary damage and speed response

In this week's Technical Tip Tuesday, we’re continuing our CAT Preparedness series with John Reasoner, Senior Director of Catastrophe Services at Paul Davis Restoration. John breaks down the two tools and processes that consistently save his team time and prevent secondary damage during major CAT events.

First, organization is everything. John stresses that efficient claim distribution, matched with team capacity, is the difference between a controlled CAT response and a backlog that leads to unnecessary secondary damage and safety risks.

Second, 3D/360 documentation is non‑negotiable. John recommends capturing three scans for every loss:

As‑found
Equipment placement and post‑demo
As‑left

This ensures complete, defensible documentation without the need to return, especially when teams are deployed hundreds of miles from home.

The best tools can’t fix poor planning, but the right combination of process and technology sets your team up for success and protects your documentation, which is how you get paid.

Thank you for tuning in to this week’s tip. See you next Tuesday!

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Kayla McGowan is the Editor-in-Chief of R&R Magazine, with 10 years of experience in marketing and communications in the restoration and cleaning industry. She leads the editorial strategy for R&R and The Experience Events, creating content that informs and connects industry professionals.

Kayla holds a B.S. in Criminal Science and M.S. in Public Safety and Emergency Management from Grand Canyon University. She serves as Co-Chair on the RIA’s Marketing Committee.

Kayla is a Microbial Warrior®, a Certified Forensic Operator® and a High Risk/ High Level Decontamination Specialist™. Kayla is passionate about elevating the industry, is a food lover, enjoys spending time with her family, and embracing the outdoors.