Church Sanctuary with Smoke and Soot Damage — Example of Fire Cleanup by ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons

Does Your Place of Worship Have an Emergency Preparedness Plan?

Nasutsa Mabwa

June 24, 2025

Is your church, synagogue, mosque, or temple ready for the unexpected? Learn how to create an emergency preparedness plan that protects your congregation and property — and how ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons delivers trusted fire, water, and disaster recovery services across Chicago, the North Shore, and Lake and DuPage County.

For communities across Chicago, Oak Park, River Forest, Skokie, Evanston, Wilmette, Glenview, Northbrook, Highland Park, Lake Forest, Deerfield, Lincolnwood, Morton Grove, and surrounding suburbs, places of worship represent sanctuaries of peace and safety. But no property is immune to disasters. Fires, floods, severe storms, and other emergencies can strike suddenly, putting your congregation and sacred space at risk.

At ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons, we help churches, synagogues, mosques, temples, and other religious organizations plan ahead — and respond with confidence when disaster strikes.

Why Every Place of Worship Needs an Emergency Preparedness Plan

Emergencies are unpredictable. A well-designed plan ensures:

The safety of congregants, staff, and visitors
Clear evacuation and shelter-in-place procedures
Protection of sacred items and vital records
Faster recovery and restoration after disaster

What to Include in Your Emergency Action Plan

Designate safe assembly locations — far enough from the building to avoid debris, smoke, or fire hazards.

Document evacuation routes and shelter locations — ensure routes are well-marked, clear of obstructions, and accessible to all, including those with mobility challenges.

Maintain a list of emergency contacts — including local police, fire department, utilities, and your trusted restoration provider: ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons

Assign leadership roles — identify individuals responsible for directing evacuations, calling emergency services, and coordinating post-event recovery.

Practice regularly — schedule drills at least twice annually to reinforce procedures and reduce panic during real emergencies.

Account for local risks — including tornadoes (Illinois ranks 5th in tornado frequency per 10,000 square miles), flooding, and severe winter weather.

Why Include ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons in Your Plan

As your disaster response partner, ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons provides:

We are available 24/7, serving religious properties in Chicago, Oak Park, River Forest, Skokie, Evanston, North Shore suburbs, and Lake County.

Our Fire Damage Restoration Services

When fire impacts your place of worship, ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons delivers immediate, compassionate, and expert care:

24/7 emergency response and site stabilization
Emergency board-up and security
Smoke and soot cleanup
Odor removal and air quality restoration
Water extraction and drying from firefighting
Debris removal and deep cleaning of all areas, including sanctuaries, offices, classrooms, and fellowship spaces
Restoration of pews, religious artifacts, books, electronics, and furnishings
Full reconstruction services as needed

Our IICRC-certified professionals handle your sacred space with the utmost respect and care.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why does a place of worship need an emergency preparedness plan?
A: Emergencies can strike any time. A plan protects lives, preserves property, and ensures faster recovery.

Q: How often should we update or practice our plan?
A: Review your plan yearly and hold drills at least twice a year for key leaders and staff.

Q: How quickly can ServiceMaster respond?
A: We provide 24/7 emergency response across Chicagoland, North Shore, and Lake County communities.

Q: Will insurance cover restoration services?
A: Most insurance policies for places of worship cover fire and water damage restoration from accidental events. We assist with claims to streamline your recovery.

About ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons

ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons is a locally owned, award-winning disaster restoration firm with 40+ years of experience serving Chicago, Oak Park, River Forest, the North Shore, and Lake County. As part of the nation’s oldest restoration brand, founded in Chicago in 1929, we deliver unmatched expertise, rapid response, and compassionate care.

Our team includes IICRC Master Fire & Water Restorers and members of the Restoration Industry Association. We are trusted by places of worship, businesses, and homeowners for fire and water damage restoration, mold remediation, specialty cleaning, and full reconstruction.

For expert guidance, see our book: RESTORE: A Complete Guide to Protecting Your Home As Your Most Valuable Asset.

Contact ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons

Call 847-316-9145 or visit ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons to protect your place of worship today.

Nasutsa Mabwa is the CEO and co-owner of ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons, a certified MBE/WBE firm proudly serving Cook, DuPage, and Lake Counties in Illinois. Under her leadership, the company has become one of Chicagoland’s most trusted providers of disaster restoration services, including water and flood damage restoration, fire and smoke damage cleanup, and mold remediation for residential and commercial clients.

A recognized civic and business leader, Nasutsa is a recipient of the 2020 Daily Herald Business Ledger C-Suite Award, a Crain’s Chicago Business 40 Under 40 honoree, and a 2018 ServiceMaster® Achiever Award recipient. She currently serves as a Civic Federation Board Member, an Advisory Board Member, and is the Past President of the Executive Committee for the Evanston Chamber of Commerce. She is a proud member of the WPO - Women's President Organization.

Nasutsa holds IICRC certifications in Water Damage Restoration (WRT) and Fire & Smoke Restoration (FSRT), bringing both strategic leadership and technical expertise to every project.

She is also the co-author of RESTORE: A Complete Guide to Protecting Your Home As Your Most Valuable Asset from Water and Fire Disasters — a practical, accessible book for homeowners based on real-world experience in the restoration industry.

Subscribe now for expert tips, rapid-response insights, and restoration guidance delivered straight to your inbox. Whether you’re recovering from fire, water, or mold damage, stay prepared with advice from the trusted pros at ServiceMaster Restoration by Simons.