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In the aftermath of a series of deadly hurricanes that battered the United States, and as terrorism continues to pose a serious threat to people and organizations around the world, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in cooperation with all U.S. states and territories and more than 80 organizations nationwide, declared September to be National Preparedness Month.
The National Preparedness Month coalition officially launched events on September 9 to promote awareness of potential threats and emergency preparedness among businesses, families, and individuals. Although the DHS has urged local communities to develop emergency response plans since the launch of its Ready campaign, a national public education effort introduced in 2003, National Preparedness Month underscores the need for all Americans to prepare for emergencies.
“National Preparedness Month will give everyone an opportunity to work toward a better prepared America,” Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge said in a recent DHS press release. “This broad coalition and vast number of activities and events will allow us to reach millions of individuals and inform them about ways they can prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses, and schools.”
With the recent discovery of an al-Qaeda plan to bomb five financial centers in several Northeastern cities, the DHS recognizes that businesses continue to be a key target for terrorists. As the private sector is a primary focus of National Preparedness Month, several members of the coalition are urging businesses to strengthen their security plans. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, for example, is encouraging its members to take practical steps to prepare for emergencies and to distribute information to employees on ways to prepare for workplace emergencies.
The Public Discourse Project, another coalition member formerly known as the 9/11 Commission, is encouraging businesses to establish evacuation plans, provide adequate communications capabilities in the event of an emergency, and create a plan to reinstate operations after facing an unexpected business disruption. In addition, the Public Discourse Project has recommended the adoption of a National Preparedness Standard that establishes the criteria for both public sector and private preparedness efforts. The Standard is published by the National Fire Protection Association and is available on its Web site for free download.
Marsh has participated in the development of this standard and can provide consultation on evaluation of existing plans or development of new plans using this proposed national standard.
Throughout September, the National Preparedness Month coalition is hosting hundreds of events across the country to educate people and organizations about readiness and security. For a list of scheduled National Preparedness Month activities and contact information, visit the
U.S. Department of Homeland Security Web site.
To learn more about ways you can prepare your business for emergencies, read the following articles from our Emergency Response Planning Practice.
For additional information on NFPA 1600, read At Risk: National Preparedness Standard Recommendations.
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