Our email newsletter offers timely insight into preparedness topics of interest.
Preparedness, LLC In the News
School Emergency Preparedness Standard
Don Schmidt has joined an ASTM committee which is developing a new standard guide for school emergency preparedness. ASTM International is one of the largest voluntary standards development organizations in the world.
"The guide will cover concepts, principles and best practices
for all-hazards integrated emergency management programs in
preparedness, prevention, mitigation, response, and recovery for
schools and school districts in preparation and response to a
natural, human-caused, and technological hazards. The guide will
also address the essential elements of the scope, planning,
structure, application and integration of federal, state, local
volunteer and non-governmental organizations and resources
necessary to facilitate interoperability and seamless
participation by response agencies both inside and outside the
school/district."
Preparedness, LLC has extensive experience working with public schools, Click here for more information.
Implementing NFPA 1600 National Preparedness Standard
"Implementing
NFPA 1600," a handbook edited and coauthored by Donald L. Schmidt, has been
published by NFPA. This authoritative new manual explains how to
develop a program in compliance with NFPA 1600, the Standard
endorsed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Along
with the full 2007 Standard text, "Implementing NFPA 1600"
contains the practical, hands-on guidance business owners,
managers, and consultants need. It provides expert assistance in
all phases of emergency management and business continuity
including program management, risk assessment, prevention,
mitigation, plan development, implementation, and evaluation.
Chapters cover the essential elements of an emergency management and business continuity program including program management, risk assessment, hazard prevention, risk mitigation, resource management, planning for emergencies, business continuity planning, crisis communications, incident management, training, drills, exercises, and program evaluation.
Private Sector Preparedness Webinar
April 15, 2009. The
National Fire Protection Association hosted a 90
minute webinar on private sector preparedness. The webinar featured a
presentation by Donald L. Schmidt who outlined the elements of a comprehensive preparedness program using
NFPA 1600 "Standard on Disaster/Emergency Management and Business Continuity Programs" as the foundation. The webinar also discussed the
voluntary program for certification of private sector preparedness programs called for by Title IX of Public Law 110-53.
This free webinar is available for replay from the NFPA website. Click here for instructions for accessing this webinar.
Voluntary Private Sector Preparedness Certification Program
Title IX of Public Law 110-53 calls for the creation of a voluntary private sector preparedness certification program. In accordance with the law, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has selected the ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board to accredit the certifying bodies who will certify the preparedness programs of private sector entities. Don Schmidt has been named to ANAB's "Committee of Experts" and will advise on the use of NFPA 1600 and other standards that will be used as the criteria to evaluate private sector preparedness programs.
Fire Protection Handbook, 20th edition
Don Schmidt contributes to the 20th edition of the
Fire Protection Handbook.
The Fire Protection Handbook is the "bible" for protection and safety of the built environment. The expanded, two volume, edition includes nearly 3,500 pages of technical documentation from nationally recognized subject matter experts.
The chapter on emergency management and business continuity covers the subjects of program management, risk assessment, prevention and mitigation, resource management, emergency management, business continuity, crisis management, training, drills, exercises, and program evaluation.
"Using NFPA 1600 to Get Immediate Value for your Organization"
13th Annual Disaster Resource Guide
A featured article in the
13th Annual Disaster-Resource Guide is a discussion of standards including NFPA 1600, BS25999, and the ISO PAS 22399. The
author worked hard to provide a balanced article on standards at a time when there is a lack of clarity.
Don Schmidt contributed to the article along with professionals from BSI
Management Systems, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and ASIS
International.
Surrounding the main article are several sidebar articles including "Using NFPA 1600 to Get Immediate Value for Your Organization." This primer provides an overview of NFPA 1600 and provides guidance on how to use NFPA 1600 to evaluate your program and identify any weaknesses in your program.
Emergency Management Forum Hosts "NFPA 1600-2010 Update"
The
Emergency Management
Forum
hosted a one hour presentation and interactive discussion
on February 25, 2009. The topic was the current status of the 2010 edition of the National Fire
Protection Association's standard NFPA 1600. Highlights of the proposed
changes were presented by Donald L. Schmidt, chair of the NFPA's Technical
Committee on Emergency Management and Business Continuity. A
recording of the forum
(large Windows Media audio file), the
presentation slides
(Adobe PDF),
links to
related information, and a
transcript can be accessed from the
Emergency Management Forum's website.
The Experts Debate Business Continuity Standards
Continuity
Insights Magazine hosted a webinar on March 5 to discuss what's really
going on when it comes to business continuity standards. This panel
discussion featured Dr. Marc Siegel, ASIS, Don Schmidt, Preparedness
LLC, and Al Berman, DRI International who provided a behind-the-scenes,
straight-from-the-experts look at business continuity standards
development. Topics included questions about the ASIS proposed standard,
DRI International's position on standards development, ANAB's role in
Title IX of Public Law 110-53, and the latest edition of NFPA 1600.
The webinar was recorded and can be viewed at any time. Click here to access the recording (you will need to register your email address and must have Windows Media Player 9 or higher to view the presentation.)
American National Standards Institute's Homeland Security Standards Panel
October 2, 2008, Washington, DC. Don Schmidt participated in the seventh plenary meeting of the ANSI
Homeland Security Standards Panel (ANSI-HSSP) October 2, 2008 at the
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
in Washington, DC. Much of the meeting was devoted to Public Law 110-53,
The Implementing the 9/11 Commission Recommendations Act of 2007,
specifically Title IX on Private Sector Preparedness.
Title IX calls for a voluntary certification of private sector preparedness programs. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security "shall adopt one or more appropriate voluntary preparedness standards that promote preparedness, which may be tailored to address the unique nature of various sectors within the private sector".
Panelists were asked to discuss the standards under consideration by DHS. Don Schmidt, Chair of the NFPA 1600 technical committee discussed NFPA 1600, which is widely expected to be one of the standards used as criteria for the certification program. Don is also a member of the ANAB-ASQ Committee of Experts, which is tasked with developing the requirements for the certification bodies--the third parties who will evaluate companies who choose to become certified under this program.
Planning for Corporate Preparedness
May
2008, New York. Don Schmidt, CEO of Preparedness, LLC presented "Planning
for Corporate Preparedness" to The Conference Board's
Business Continuity, Security & Crisis Management Seminar in New
York. This in depth presentation outlined the essential elements
of a corporate preparedness program and a program development
process that can be used within businesses of all sizes.
"Emerging BCP Regulations"
October 22. New York, NY. Don Schmidt, CEO of Preparedness, LLC and
Chris Oliver Group Operations Director of Office-Shadow, Inc. co
presented "Emerging BCP Regulations" at the Securities Industry and
Financial Markets Association' annual
Business Continuity Planning Conference.
"In the few years immediately following 9/11, a number of business continuity rules and regulations were established that affect financial services firms and other businesses. Now a new US voluntary business continuity standard is being developed, standards have been published in the UK and regulators in Asia are proposing new standards. In this session, experts will explore what the new US voluntary standard may look like, what the UK standards cover and how the rules in Asian countries will affect local businesses." Click here to see Don Schmidt's presentation. "Title IX of PL 110-53, the “Framework for Voluntary Preparedness” & NFPA 1600"
October
21. Newport, RI. NorthEast Disaster Recovery Information X-Change (NEDRIX)
Annual Conference.
On August 3, 2007, the U.S. federal law ‘‘Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007’’ (also referred to as H.R. 1 and Public Law 110-53) was signed. Title IX of the Act calls for the voluntary certification of private sector preparedness programs. While the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is to take key actions in establishing this program, the legislation calls for wide private sector input into the program’s development and ongoing operation. In order to provide the private sector input, the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation convened groups of key stakeholders to discuss the impact of the voluntary preparedness standards program on the private sector. Recognizing that there are similarities in the core elements of the existing standards, guidelines best practices, and regulations, four professional organizations, ASIS International (ASIS), Disaster Recovery Institute International (DRII), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and Risk and Insurance Management Society, Inc. (RIMS) (“The Interdisciplinary Team”) combined their expertise and perspectives in a collaborative effort to develop a mechanism to address verifiable private sector preparedness.
Donald L. Schmidt, CEO of Preparedness, LLC and chair of the NFPA 1600 technical committee, represented NFPA on this committee. In his presentation Don discussed the legislation, the “Framework” document, current developments, NFPA 1600, and what it means for emergency managers and business continuity professionals. Click here to see Don Schmidt's presentation.
Code Red BCS 6th Annual Business Continuity & Safety Planning Conference
January
21, 2009, Warwick.
RI. Don Schmidt presented "Voluntary
Certification of Private Sector Preparedness Programs and NFPA 1600:
What do they mean for your business?" to
Code Red's
6th annual Business Continuity & Safety Conference attended by business professionals and practitioners. The
presentation included the latest updates on the Voluntary Private Sector
Preparedness Certification Program called for under Title IX of Public
Law 110-53.
EXAMINING THE REGULATORY LANDSCAPE
Key Business Continuity Laws, Standards and Title IX of the PL 110-53
"Private Sector Preparedness Act"
October
2008, Clearwater, FL. The Greater Tampa Bay Chapter of Association
of Contingency Planners, hosted a presentation entitled "Examining
the Regulatory Landscape," to address the growing number of local
and national compliance requirements for preparedness plans. The
presentation was co-presented by nationally recognized experts Alan
Berman, CBCP, MBCI, executive director for Disaster Recovery
Institute and Donald Schmidt, ARM, chair of National Fire Protection
Association's (NFPA) Technical Committee on Emergency Management and
Business Continuity, which is responsible for NFPA 1600.
In August of 2007, a voluntary certification process for preparedness was called for as part of Public Law 110-53. Mr. Berman and Mr. Schmidt discussed how small and medium-sized businesses can prepare to meet the challenge of compliance
Planning for Disasters
"One
can't pick up a newspaper or tune into a television news broadcast
without reading or hearing a story about a fire, flood, tornado, act
of violence or other "disaster." News stories, photographs and video
depict the casualties and show some of the property damage. However,
the long-term economic impact of the event is generally not
discussed. Businesses that are unprepared to respond to an incident
can suffer serious and long-term consequences. Those who are
unprepared to deal with the media scrutiny following an incident can
suffer additional damage - to their carefully crafted image.
Most businesses know they have to be prepared. They are aware of health and safety regulations that require employers to protect their employees, visitors, contractors and others. Property insurers may conduct surveys and make recommendations for property protection and to reduce the possibility of business interruption. Customers also ask for proof that their suppliers have plans in place. However, many businesses, particularly small- and medium- sized, are uncertain what preparedness entails. "
Read the full article "Planning for Disasters" authored by Don Schmidt and published in the Summer 2008 issue of Fire Protection Engineering Magazine.
Framework for Voluntary Preparedness Written in Response to Public Law 110-53
Don Schmidt and interdisciplinary group write "Framework for Voluntary Preparedness," in response to Public Law 110-53.
On August 3, 2007, the U.S. federal law ‘‘Implementing
Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007’’ (also
referred to as H.R. 1 and Public Law 110-53) was signed. Title
IX of the Act calls for the voluntary certification of private
sector preparedness programs. While the U.S. Department
of Homeland Security (DHS) is to take key actions in
establishing this program, the legislation calls for wide
private sector input into the program’s development and ongoing
operation. In order to provide the private sector input, the
Alfred P. Sloan Foundation convened groups of key stakeholders
to discuss the impact of the voluntary preparedness standards
program on the private sector. Recognizing that there are
similarities in the core elements of the existing standards,
guidelines best practices, and regulations, four professional
organizations, ASIS International (ASIS), Disaster Recovery
Institute International (DRII), National Fire Protection
Association (NFPA), and Risk and Insurance Management Society,
Inc. (RIMS) (“The Interdisciplinary Team”)
combined their expertise and perspectives in a collaborative
effort to develop a mechanism to address verifiable private
sector preparedness. Donald L. Schmidt, CEO of Preparedness, LLC and chair of the NFPA 1600 technical committee, represented NFPA on this committee.
The
four members of the interdisciplinary group that wrote the
"Framework for Voluntary Preparedness" were interviewed in the
July/August 2008 issue of Continuity Insights Magazine. Read the
full article (registration may be required.)
Don Schmidt was also interviewed in
NFPA Journal online edition.
Building Operating Management Magazine
Don
Schmidt interviewed by
Building Operating Management magazine regarding private
sector preparedness.
Boston Creates Business Continuity With the Private Sector
May 11, 2009. Boston's Local Emergency Planning Committee, in partnership with the Boston Fire Department and the NFPA, hosted a business continuity seminar for all committee members to encourage business continuity planning. The seminar was led by Donald Schmidt, chair of the NFPA Technical Committee on Emergency Management and Business Continuity who presented "Development of an Emergency Management and Business Continuity Program Using our National Preparedness Standard." The seminar was attended by a cross section of the city's leadership teams in the medical field, higher education, energy service providers, manufacturing, and government agencies at the local, state and federal levels.
Read about the City of Boston's initiative to work with business and nonprofit leaders to encourage participation in emergency management and business continuity in Government Technology.