The First 72 Hours: From Chaos to Control with Dawgen RISE-360™

Executive Summary

The first 72 hours after a hurricane determine everything that follows—safety outcomes, the speed of operational recovery, the size of insurance payouts, and your company’s reputation with customers, regulators, and lenders. Dawgen RISE-360™ compresses this window into a tight, field-tested sequence you can run under degraded communications and limited power. This article gives you a copy-ready T+0 to T+72h playbook for Jamaica and the wider Caribbean: life-first actions, a 6-hour SITREP, an evidence & claims pack, a 13-week cash triage start, and stakeholder messages you can deploy instantly. Use this to reduce downtime, unlock cash, and transition cleanly into the 30-day Stabilization phase.

1) Objectives of the First 72 Hours

1. Protect life & welfare of employees, contractors, and visitors.

2. Establish facts (people, sites, systems, customers) and communicate a single source of truth.

3. Capture evidence properly to enable fast, maximized claims and relief.

4. Restore Minimum Viable Operations (MVO) for critical services within 48 hours where feasible.

5. Contain cash burn and prepare the 13-week liquidity model.

6. Set cadence for the next 30 days (Stabilization) and 90 days (Elevation).

2) Command & Control in a Communications-Constrained Environment

2.1 Crisis Cells and Decision Rights

• Gold (Incident Director): final calls on safety, spend, public statements. Deputy named and empowered.

• Silver (Operations): MVO execution, sites sequencing, repair SLAs.

• Bronze (Functional Leads): People & Welfare, Technology, Supply Chain, Finance, Comms, Legal/Claims.

Decision-rights quick guide (use even if comms are down):

• Life & safety: Site lead may act immediately; inform Gold retrospectively.

• Spend ≤ US$10k equivalent (pre-cleared vendors): Silver may approve.

• Public statements: Comms Lead prepares; Gold approves.

• Claims notifications: Legal/Claims Lead initiates once safety cleared.

2.2 The “Dark Site”

• A pre-agreed phone line/WhatsApp broadcast or basic status page that can be updated with one message: this is the only official truth source.

• Short codes for status: GREEN (open), AMBER (degraded), RED (closed/hazard).

3) The T+0 to T+72h Timeline (Hour-by-Hour)

T+0–2 Hours: Life First

• Headcount & welfare check via call tree/WhatsApp template (see §8).

• Hazard isolation: downed lines, flooding, chemical leaks, structural risks.

• Medical & transport: identify injuries; coordinate emergency transport for critical staff.

• Power-down protocol: controlled shutdown of non-essential equipment to prevent surges.

T+2–6 Hours: Establish Facts (SITREP #1)

• Site triage teams report People / Sites / Systems / Customers / Cash.

• Technology Lead confirms core systems (up/down/degraded) and backup integrity.

• SITREP #1 issued by T+6h to the crisis list (template in §7).

T+6–12 Hours: Evidence & Notifications

• Begin damage photography/video with geo-tags and timestamps.

• Start asset-to-damage mapping (serial numbers, invoices).

• Notify insurers/adjusters; diarize reference numbers and inspection windows.

• Initiate regulatory/tax relief checklists (see §10).

T+12–24 Hours: MVO & Cash Containment

• MVO activation at priority sites (generator power, satellite/LTE failover, pop-up counters).

• Vendor prioritization Tier 0/1/2 enacted; freeze non-essential spend.

• Draft 13-week cash model skeleton and identify immediate liquidity levers (see §9).

T+24–48 Hours: Customer Continuity & Supplier Reroute

• Customer outreach cadence starts (day 1, 3, 7, 14, 21).

• Reroute inbound/outbound logistics (alternate ports/roads; pooled transport).

• Lock in temporary repairs and replacement parts with quoted SLAs.

T+48–72 Hours: Claims Dossier, KPI Baseline, Transition Plan

• Claims dossier indexed; reconcile damage estimates vs. policies.

• KPI baseline captured: Time-to-SITREP, Time-to-MVO, % critical processes restored, runway.

• Prepare 30-Day Stabilization Plan draft and handover brief.

4) Safety and Welfare: The Non-Negotiables

4.1 Staff Safety Protocol

• Status codes: SAFE / NEEDS AID / UNREACHABLE.

• Aid triage: medical, shelter, food/water, transport, childcare.

• Micro-grants: pre-approved amounts with receipts photographed to claims folder.

• Attendance reality: compensate fairly for inability to travel due to infrastructure.

4.2 Facilities Safety

• Red-tag dangerous zones; lockout/tagout procedures.

• Generator safety: exhaust routing, refueling SOP, load balancing.

• Water & sanitation: chlorine tablets, potable water verification; restroom plans.

5) Evidence Capture: How to Build a Claims That Pay Pack

5.1 The Five Golden Rules

1. Time-stamp & geo-tag everything (use phone settings on).

2. Photograph serial numbers and wide + close angles.

3. Keep a chain-of-custody: who captured, when, on what device.

4. Separate property damage from business interruption logs.

5. Index files to policy coverage sections (see folder structure below).

5.2 Folder Structure (recap)

• 01_Policies_and_Endorsements/

• 02_Notifications_and_Emails/

• 03_Damage_Assessment/ (photos_geo / videos / adjuster_reports)

• 04_Asset_Registers_and_Invoices/

• 05_Business_Interruption/ (sales_history / margin_schedules / lost_sales_calc / extra_expense_logs)

• 06_Repairs_and_Temporary_Costs/ (PO_contracts / vendor_invoices / timesheets)

• 07_Regulatory_Relief/ (filings / approvals)

• 08_Board_and_Audit_Trail/ (SITREPs / decisions / approvals)

5.3 Loss Quantification Starters

• Property Damage: replacement cost quotes, repair quotes, labor timesheets.

• Business Interruption (BI): lost margin = (baseline sales – actual sales) × baseline % contribution.

• Extra Expense: generators, temp offices, rentals, overtime—always attach P.O./invoice/proof of payment.

6) Minimum Viable Operations (MVO) in 48 Hours

6.1 What “MVO” Means

The lowest-cost, fastest-to-stand-up version of your operation that still serves your highest-value customers and keeps cash moving.

6.2 MVO Design Cheatsheet (by function)

• Sales/Service: pop-up desk, mobile POS, WhatsApp ordering, limited SKUs, click-and-collect.

• Operations: one shift, critical SKUs only, outsource finishing/toll manufacturing where possible.

• Technology: cloud-first access, read-only fallbacks, batch uploads once connectivity is stable.

• Finance: manual cashbook with daily digitization, temporary payment terms.

• Supply Chain: dual-source alternates, local courier partnerships, pooled trucks with neighbors.

6.3 Power & Connectivity

• Generator priority order: server room → comms/router → minimal lighting → refrigeration → comfort loads.

• Connectivity fallback: LTE hotspot → satellite terminal → radio. Test at least two.

7) The SITREP #1 (Due by T+6 Hours)

Subject: SITREP #1 — [Company] — [Date/Time]
To: Crisis Cell + Board Liaisons

1. People

• Staff accounted for: X% (unreachable: list)

• Injuries/fatalities: [ ]

• Welfare actions taken: transport/housing/stipends

2. Facilities & Utilities

• Sites: Open [ ], Damaged [ ], Closed [ ]

• Power/Water/Connectivity status by site

• Immediate hazards & mitigations

3. Technology & Data

• Core systems: [Up/Down/Degraded]

• Backup verified: [Yes/No], last restore test [date]

• Remote access functional: [X% of users]

4. Operations & Supply Chain

• MVO ETA (hrs): [ ]

• Critical materials days of cover: [ ]

• Alternate vendors/routes engaged: [list]

5. Customers & Channels

• Channel status (branch/online/call center)

• High-value account outreach done/pending

• Planned credits/alternatives

6. Finance & Liquidity

• Cash on hand / available lines

• Insurers notified (policy, time, ref #)

• Estimated loss (prelim): property [ ], BI [ ]

7. Decisions Required (Next 6–12 Hours)

• Spend approvals, vendor awards, public statements, travel/transport

Attachments: Photo/video index; site map; contact tree; claims log.

8) Message Templates (Copy-Paste)

8.1 Employee SMS/WhatsApp (T+2h)

[Company]: Post-storm safety check. Reply with:
SAFE (ok), AID (need help: state medical/shelter/food/transport), or UNREACHABLE (report colleague you can’t reach).
Next update at [time] via [channel]. For emergencies call [number].

8.2 Customer Notice (Website/Email)

Service Update — [Date/Time]
We hope you and your families are safe. Due to the hurricane, services are [status].

• Orders: [accepting / delayed / pickup-only at locations]

• Support: [phone/WhatsApp/email hours]

• Credits: We’ll provide service credits where applicable; details by [date].
  Thank you for your understanding. We’ll post the next update at [time].

8.3 Supplier/Partner Message

Operational Status & Purchases — [Company]
We are activating our continuity plan. Immediate priorities: [list items/quantities].
Please confirm availability, price, ETA, and emergency contact. We will use PO #[…] for all purchases.

8.4 Media Holding Statement

[Company] Post-Hurricane Update
Our priority is the safety of our team and communities. We are assessing facilities and expect limited operations at [locations] within [hours]. We’ll share verified information via [URL/phone]. We appreciate the support of the authorities and our partners.

9) Cash Containment and the 13-Week Model (Day 1 Kickoff)

9.1 Spend Tiers (enact immediately)

• Tier 0 (Non-negotiable): Payroll, life-safety, site security, critical utilities.

• Tier 1 (MVO Essential): Repair parts, temp power/comms, priority logistics, critical SKUs.

• Tier 2 (Deferable): Anything not directly restoring safety/MVO/revenue.

9.2 Build the Skeleton

Tabs to create on Day 1–2:

• Inflows: collections by aging bucket; insurance advances; relief funds; VAT/GCT refunds (if applicable).

• Outflows: by tier with weekly totals; red/amber/green status.

• Liquidity Levers: overdrafts/revolvers; supplier finance; payment holidays; early-payment discounts for key receivables.

• Covenants & Alerts: weekly calculation; triggers for lender comms.

9.3 Guardrails

• Daily review for first 10 days.

• No Tier 2 spend without Gold approval.

• Document what you defer and why—insurers and auditors will ask.

10) Relief & Compliance Checklist (Jamaica/Caribbean Oriented)

• Statutory filings: extended deadlines for GCT, PAYE, NIS/NHT—note official notices.

• Customs & duties: import waivers for repair parts and essential supplies.

• Utility concessions: emergency reconnection/credit arrangements.

• Wage support/benefits: any announced government support schemes.

• Banking relief: moratoria, temporary credit lines, fee waivers—get offers in writing.

• Health & Safety: incident logs, red-tag areas, OSHA/H&S compliance steps.

• Data & Privacy: notify if any data center or records were compromised; document mitigation.

(Your Dawgen team can maintain a live tracker aligned to active regulations and relief notices.)

11) Technology & Data Under Degraded Conditions

11.1 Restore Priorities

1. Identity & access (MFA/conditional access)

2. Core apps (ERP/CRM/Payments)

3. Comms (email/Teams/WhatsApp gateways)

4. File services & backups

5. Secondary apps

11.2 Backup Rules

• 3-2-1: 3 copies, 2 media, 1 offsite/offline.

• Daily test file restore for the first week post-event.

• Offline runbooks carried by Tech Lead and deputy.

11.3 Cyber Hygiene During Chaos

• Block non-essential new installs.

• Beware phishing surges post-disaster; all payments re-verified by voice call.

• Track every exception; rescind emergency access after 14 days.

12) Supply Chain & Facilities: Rerouting with SLAs

12.1 Reroute Playbook

• Inbound: shift to alternate ports/air cargo; split shipments to reduce risk.

• Outbound: pop-up fulfillment; partner carriers; pooled deliveries with neighboring firms.

• Inventory: critical SKUs only; weekly min/max reset; dynamic safety stock.

12.2 Repairs with Accountability

• Pre-approved contractor list; rate cards; target start/finish dates.

• Photo before/after; attach to 06_Repairs_and_Temporary_Costs/ with PO and invoice.

• Generator & fuel plan with theft prevention and daily logsheet.

13) People & Welfare: Keeping the Team Whole

13.1 Practical Supports

• Transport stipends and organized shuttles on limited routes.

• Temporary housing partners for displaced staff (hotels/guesthouses).

• Childcare list for essential staff required on-site.

• Counselling hotline and manager talking points.

13.2 Rostering

• 4-on/3-off rotations to manage fatigue.

• Cross-train for critical roles; pair new staff with experienced operators.

14) Governance & KPIs: Make Progress Visible

Daily (first 10 days):

• SITREP posted by 09:00; blocker burn-down; Time-to-MVO tracking.

Weekly (first 8 weeks):

• KPI pack to exec/board: % critical processes restored, claim milestones, runway, supplier OTIF, NPS/churn.

Baseline in 72 Hours:

• Time-to-SITREP, Time-to-MVO, critical processes restored (%), claim ref #s obtained, cash runway (weeks).

15) Checklists You Can Run

15.1 T+0–6h Safety & SITREP Checklist

• Headcount check broadcast sent; responses categorized

• Hazard isolation completed at each site

• Medical/transport arranged for affected staff

• Power-down performed to avoid surges

• SITREP #1 drafted and released by T+6h

15.2 Evidence & Claims Checklist

• Photos/videos geo-tagged and time-stamped

• Serial numbers recorded; invoices retrieved

• Insurers/adjusters notified; ref #s logged

• Relief applications identified; deadlines diarized

• Loss estimates separated: property vs. BI vs. extra expense

15.3 MVO & Cash Checklist

• MVO activated at priority sites

• Generators and connectivity tested

• Tiered spend rules enforced

• 13-week cash skeleton created

• Lender communication plan prepared

16) Sector-Specific Notes (Quick Hits)

Retail: prioritize click-and-collect; mobile POS; refrigeration power; shrink prevention.
Manufacturing: single-line critical SKUs; outsourced finishing contracts; spare-parts priority.
Hospitality: essential inventory only, simplified F&B; partner housing for staff.
Financial Services: remote KYC protocols; branch pop-ups; ATM network power priority.

17) What Usually Goes Wrong—and How RISE-360™ Prevents It

• Late first update → rumor mill: Dark-site messages and SITREP by T+6h.

• Photos without context → claim disputes: Evidence index with asset IDs and timestamps.

• Cash crunch by week 3: Day-1 13-week model + spend tiers.

• Vendor no-shows: Pre-approved contractor roster with SLAs and backups.

• Customer silence: Prewritten cadence (day 1, 3, 7, 14, 21).

• Tech restores fail: Daily restore test for a sample file; document results.

18) Transition to Stabilization (Days 3–30)

By the end of T+72 hours, you should have:

• A clean claims dossier with insurer references and scheduled inspections.

• MVO running for the highest-value services/sites.

• A live cash model with guardrails and lever options.

• Supplier reroutes and repair SLAs locked.

• Baseline KPIs and a draft 30-day plan with owners and dates.

Next article in the series: 13-Week Liquidity & Working-Capital Triage.

Appendices (Copy-Ready)

A) Headcount/Welfare Data Capture (Google Form fields)

• Name, Department, Site, Status (SAFE/AID/UNREACHABLE), Needs (Medical/Shelter/Food/Transport/Childcare), Current Location (Parish), Phone/Alt Phone, Notes.

B) Photo Naming Convention

[Site]_[Asset/Area]_[YYYYMMDD-HHMM]_[Initials]_[WIDE/CLOSE/SERIAL].jpg

C) Quick MVO Matrix (fill once, carry forward)

Conclusion

The first 72 hours aren’t about perfection; they’re about certainty, speed, and clean documentation. With Dawgen RISE-360™, you’ll move from chaos to control using a sequence designed for the Caribbean reality—limited comms, infrastructure shocks, and a community that still needs service tomorrow morning. Execute this playbook, then roll the momentum into your 30-day Stabilization and 90-day Elevation programs.

Next Step!!

Let’s restore—and rise—together.
Dawgen Global’s RISE-360™ team can deliver rapid assessments, claims packs, liquidity modeling, and on-site restoration leadership across the Caribbean.

Request a proposal: [email protected]
USA: 855-354-2447
Web: https://dawgen.global

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