Bituminous Insurance Companies

Private Sector Emergency Preparedness Certification Program Announced by Department of Homeland Security

Release Date: June 23, 2010

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced its adoption of private sector emergency preparedness standards. The standards are known as the Voluntary Private Sector Accreditation and Certification Preparedness Program. The three standards, which were developed by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the British Standards Institution, and ASIS International, are designed to promote business preparedness and continuity in the event of a disaster or unforeseen event.

The Voluntary Private Sector Preparedness Accreditation and Certification Program (PS-Prep) is mandated by Title IX of the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 (the Act.) Congress directed the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to develop and implement a voluntary program of accreditation and certification of private entities using standards adopted by DHS that promote private sector preparedness, including disaster management, emergency management, and business continuity programs.

According to DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano, "These new standards will provide our private sector partners with the tools they need to enhance the readiness and resiliency of our nation."

ASIS SPC.1-2009 Organizational Resilience: Security Preparedness, and Continuity Management System. The American Society for Industrial Security is making ASIS SPC 1-2009 available for review, downloading, and printing at no cost. The complete standard is available at: http://www.asisonline.org/guidelines/ASIS_SPC.1-2009_Item_No._1842.pdf
British Standard 25999-2:2007 Business Continuity Management – the British Standards Institution is making BS25999 available for inspection, downloading, and printing for a nominal charge. More information is available at: http://www.bsiamerica.com/en-us/Assessment-and-Certification-services/Management-systems/Standards-and-schemes/BS-25999/ An FAQ fact sheet is available for review, downloading, and printing at no cost. The FAQs is available at: http://www.bsiamerica.com/upload/MS-Assessment+Certification/Subject-Areas+Sectors/Business-Continuity/Documents/Private%20Sector%20Preparedness%20PS-Prep.pdf.
NFPA 1600, Standard on Disaster/Emergency Management and Business Continuity Programs, 2007,published by the National Fire Protection Association, is making the standard available for review, downloading, and printing at no cost. The standard is available at: http://www.nfpa.org/assets/files/PDF/NFPA1600.pdf.

Prior to the PS-Prep program, there was no comprehensive set of standards by which American businesses and other private sector entities could assess their preparedness for hazards. Having a plan to reduce the impact of all hazards on business and protect employees can help ensure that a business is able to recover and reopen following a disaster or other emergencies. The Voluntary Private Sector Preparedness Accreditation and Certification Program (PS-Prep) Resource Center is available at: http://www.fema.gov/privatesector/preparedness/adoption_standards.shtm. DHS has posted the Federal Register notice at www.regulations.gov. Comments may be submitted to www.regulations.gov or FEMA-POLICY@dhs.gov (Identify Docket ID FEMA-2008-0017).

In support of ongoing preparedness for all types of emergencies, DHS offers weekly tips to business owners based on timely, relevant topics, such as tornadoes, hurricane awareness, emergency planning, etc. The Tip of the Week information is available at: http://www.fema.gov/privatesector/tips.shtm.

The information contained in this publication was obtained from sources believed to be reliable. ISO Services Properties, Inc., its companies and employees make no guarantee of results and assume no liability in connection with either the information herein contained or the safety suggestions herein made. Moreover, it cannot be assumed that every acceptable safety procedure is contained herein or that abnormal or unusual circumstances may not warrant or require further or additional procedure.