NPM 2007 Week-Two-In-Review Journal

In the blink of an eye, emergencies can shatter everything that owners and managers of businesses have worked so hard to create. That's why the Ready Business Campaign urges business owners and managers to: plan to stay in business; talk to their employees; and protect their investment.

The second week of National Preparedness Month focused on business preparedness. During this week several of our National Preparedness Month Coalition Members hosted events and activities to help businesses get prepared.

Quick link to:

• Fresno, CA Fire Department Helping Businesses Prepare - Fresno, CA
• Ohio Business Preparedness Roundtable - Columbus, OH
• San Diego County Business Preparedness Summit - San Diego, CA

Fresno, CA Fire Department Helping Businesses Prepare - Fresno, CA

POSTED on 9/20/2007

The Fresno Fire Department is leading the way in preparing local business owners for emergencies. As part of the Fire Prevention Division's annual fire inspection program, local business owners not only receive a thorough fire and life safety inspection, but they also receive detailed information on how to prepare their businesses and employees for emergencies.

Fire Chief Randy R. Bruegman stated, "Our mission is to protect and put service above all else. Part of that mission is to help our citizens prepare and have procedures in place for emergencies that may affect their businesses."

The crucial emergency preparedness procedures that the Fire Prevention Division is recommending its local businesses to follow include: planning to stay in business, educating their employees and protecting their investment. Additionally, since protection of data and information technology systems is necessary for rapid recovery in an emergency situation, the Division is also shining a light on cyber security.

The Fresno Fire Department is using National Preparedness Month as an opportunity to remind local business owners that an investment in planning today will not only help protect their businesses and employees, but it will also support customers, local economies, the community, and the country.

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Ohio Business Preparedness Roundtable - Columbus, OH

POSTED on 9/20/2007

During the second week of September's National Preparedness Month, Ohio continued its efforts to focus on different areas of emergency preparedness by leading statewide campaigns and hosting a series of preparedness events.

On September 10, Columbus' Mayor Michael Coleman hosted a business preparedness roundtable discussion. This was one of Ohio's events held in conjunction with National Preparedness Month that was not open to the media. The event was closed to allow businesses to speak freely about their plans, current status and details of their operations. Approximately 15 businesses participated in the discussion, along with numerous representatives from state agencies who attended as observers to better understand how they can support businesses in preparing and recovering from a disaster.

Those in attendance learned about Critical Infrastructure Assessment, Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity Plans, how Columbus is preparing as a city, and much more. Most businesses were already in the process of starting a preparedness plan, but were having difficulties with one or more parts of the process. The meeting served as a forum to raise awareness on the importance of fully developing preparedness plans that can take a business through all stages of preparing for, responding to and recovering from a disaster. The meeting also gave those in attendance the opportunity to compare their level of preparedness and strategy to what others are doing, and it allowed them to develop new relationships with other local businesses.

In addition to the roundtable discussion, the Ohio Department of Public Safety (ODPS) distributed a statewide press release highlighting the need for business preparedness and resources for businesses to develop a preparedness plan.

On September 11, Franklin County, ODPS, and other state, local and county officials held a combined National Patriot's Day and National Preparedness Month event in downtown Columbus. Volunteers placed 2,999 flags on the Ohio Statehouse lawn commemorating the patriots that died on September 11, 2001. Approximately 44 state and local partners hosted exhibits highlighting their disaster preparedness planning and community partnerships. Emergency Response Vehicles lined the streets near the Statehouse to bring added attention to the event. The event was well attended by community partners and media from the Columbus area, as well as several other major media markets from across the state.

As National Preparedness Month continues, ODPS will continue to lead a statewide campaign with a diverse group of national, state and local partners to highlight the importance of emergency preparedness and to promote community involvement through a wide variety of events and activities. As part of its outreach efforts, ODPS launched a preparedness Web site: www.ready.ohio.gov. The site contains resources to help all Ohioans develop a successful game plan to be prepared, including making a plan, putting together an emergency kit and sharing information with families, coworkers and neighbors. It also includes detailed information for businesses, older Americans, people with disabilities, pet owners, and those with multicultural needs.

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San Diego County Business Preparedness Summit - San Diego, CA

POSTED on 9/20/2007

"Working together, we can accomplish more." That was the theme of the San Diego County Business Preparedness Summit held Monday, September 10 at the University of San Diego. The Summit brought together approximately 200 business representatives to learn how public and private organizations can partner to respond to natural and man-made disasters.

"Alongside state and federal governments, we are now working to formalize and fully integrate the private sector into our emergency planning," said Ron Lane, Director of the County Office of Emergency Services. "In disaster response, our goal is to restore normal operations in the community to the greatest extent possible. This will occur more quickly when everyone knows their role, communicates effectively and contributes resources to the best of their ability."

The Summit featured panels of experts who addressed topics including: the importance of partnership building, best practices in business preparedness, and opportunities for employees to assist in disaster response and recovery. Speakers included: Alfonso Martinez-Fonts, Assistant Secretary, Private Sector Office, U.S. Department of Homeland Security; Matthew Bettenhausen, Director, Governor's Office of Homeland Security; and numerous regional business leaders and local public officials.

Our goal is to minimize the impact of catastrophic events. As Katrina and other recent emergencies have demonstrated, it takes a diverse group of people working together to recover from large disasters. As we move forward, following the Business Preparedness Summit, we will create a productive, permanent coalition of businesses that will work with public agencies to improve the safety and security of our region," Lane said. During the Summit, 41 businesses pledged to participate in the newly formed consortium of civic and business leaders. Additional businesses are signing up daily through the County's www.ReadySanDiego.org Web site.

The Summit was one of several events planned by the County of San Diego in recognition of National Preparedness Month. Sponsors of the Summit included: the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, University of San Diego, Qualcomm, San Diego Gas and Electric, Science Applications International Corporation and BAE Systems.

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