A Real Team — Not an Answering Service
When people search for a disaster response team in Grand Rapids, they usually find one of two things: a national franchise call center routing the call to whoever is nearest, or a charity organization that handles disaster relief but not property restoration. Neither picks up the phone at 2 AM to extract water from your basement. We do.
Disaster Response by Ryan is a family-owned restoration team based in Walker, MI. Our crew handles the full emergency response cycle — from the first on-site assessment through final reconstruction. Every significant loss is attended personally by the owner, Ryan Penny. There is no ticket number, no case manager hand-off, no franchise protocol. One team, one phone number, one signature on the contract.
What We Respond To
- Water damage: Burst pipes, appliance failures, roof leaks, basement flooding, sump pump failures, ice dams.
- Fire & smoke damage: Kitchen fires, electrical fires, heating-equipment fires, smoke intrusion from neighboring structures.
- Mold remediation: Post-water-damage colonization, attic mold, crawl space mold, CIRS-sensitive occupant protocols.
- Sewage backups: Category 3 black water contamination, finished basement backups, commercial backups.
- Storm damage: Tarp and board-up, wind damage, hail, downed-tree impact damage.
- Biohazard cleanup: Unattended death, crime scene, trauma cleanup.
The Grand Rapids Rapid Response Standard
Response speed is the single biggest determinant of restoration outcome and cost. Water damage escalates category within 24 hours. Soot bonds permanently to surfaces within hours. Mold colonizes within 24–48 hours of unresolved moisture. Our dispatch standard is simple: a live human answers, a truck rolls within minutes, and we are on-site in under 60 minutes across most of Kent, Ottawa, and surrounding counties. Our Walker HQ at 3707 Northridge Dr NW is 12 minutes from central Grand Rapids.
Who We Serve
Residential homeowners, property managers, commercial property owners, multi-family housing operators, insurance adjusters, and independent adjusters (IA firms) across West Michigan. We handle direct insurance billing with all major carriers — State Farm, Allstate, Farmers, Liberty Mutual, USAA, Nationwide, Travelers, Auto-Owners — using Xactimate documentation.
“Ryan Penny and Disaster Response went above and beyond. When my basement flooded, Ryan came over within an hour and assessed the situation. His crew was there the next morning and provided exceptional, reliable and expert service.”
— M. Patterson, Basement flood · Grand Rapids, MI
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a disaster response team?
In property restoration, a disaster response team is a licensed, insured, and certified crew equipped to handle emergency water, fire, mold, sewage, and storm damage on short notice. We are IICRC-certified and dispatch 24/7/365.
How fast can you get to Grand Rapids?
Our Walker, MI headquarters is 12 minutes from central Grand Rapids. We maintain a 60-minute on-site dispatch standard for most of West Michigan including Kent and Ottawa counties.
Do you handle the insurance claim?
Yes. We bill major carriers directly using Xactimate documentation. You pay only your deductible. We coordinate scope, photos, and adjuster communication from first response through final signoff.
Are you a charity or relief organization?
No. We are a licensed for-profit restoration company. If you are looking for relief charities we recommend contacting 211 or Salvation Army. If you need actual property damage restored, call us.