As I begin my tenure as your new chairman, I am reminded and humbled by the history of our association and the honor you have given me. Over a quarter of century ago, eleven forward thinkers got together in a room in southern California to ponder what might happen if business became dependent on the computer, the internet and electronic commerce when very few people even knew what those things were. Their concerns and discussions have become present reality, and that small group became today’s ACP. As we approach our 30-something years, I hope we retain that out-of-the-box thinking and creative approach to tomorrow’s challenges. Read full message...
Social Media Used In Haiti Recovery Efforts By US
WASHINGTON — The Homeland Security Department has joined the social-media movement and for the first time is reading Twitter posts, blogs and Internet forums to learn instantly about conditions in Haiti and send alerts to government agencies in the country.
The department's Haiti Social Media Disaster Monitoring Initiative is designed to get information more quickly to people involved in recovery efforts by tracking up to 60 Internet sites including Google Blog Search, The Huffington Post and Twitter, according to a department report."It's part of the way people communicate, so it should be part of the way we gain situational awareness," said Don Triner, acting director of Homeland Security's National Operations Center. Read article...
IRS Tax Information for Monetary Gifts to Haiti
If you are donating to charities providing earthquake relief in Haiti, you may be able to claim those donations on your 2009 tax return. Read more...
February Focus of Education Directors - Mental Health and Disaster Recovery - Week 2
Continuing this month's theme, Mark Braunsdorf, PhD, The Avalon Group, presented on "Workplace Violence - Planning for Recovery - Survivor Functionality" to the Connecticut Chapter. Click here to view the presentation...
FEMA Private Sector Tip for the Week
Tip of the Week 2/8/10: Prepare your office for the winter season by storing rock salt, a snow shovel, emergency food and a weather radio. View more tips at: http://www.fema.gov/privatesector/tips.shtm
Don Byrne Writes Article on ACP's NLC
Don Byrne, CBCP, CDCP, CBRO-M, Lead Auditor, Adjunct Professor of Boston University, has written an article on ACP's National Leadership Conference for Continuity Compliance news site (www.continuitycompliance.org). Continuity Compliance is an expert or “authority” site dedicated to the areas of Security, Regulatory Compliance, and Business Continuity. Various professionals periodically contribute new material not found elsewhere, to the site. The ambition of the site is to be the first place you go when you have a question about a variety of security, compliance or business continuity topics.
As a community-driven website, the people behind Continuity Compliance are very interested in hearing from you on ways it could be improved. Click here to read the article...
ACP Member Authors Book on Disaster Survival Preparedness
Ed Copp is past President of the Central Arizona Chapter of ACP. Ed has just published a book entitled Self Defense Against Disasters to provide families and individuals with simple but important strategies that can increase their chance of survival in the face of disaster.
Nearly everyone will face an emergency or disaster during their life. Yet, most are vastly unprepared for that inevitability, and most are very dependent on outside resources and institutions, incredibly vulnerable to devastation at even small interruptions in service. With down-to-earth and easy-to-implement strategies, Self Defense Against Disasters will help readers prepare for life's emergencies, learn resiliency, reduce their dependence on others, and take steps to increase their chance of survival in the face of disaster.
The book explains the four basic steps for disaster readiness, and offers critical considerations, such as: which supplies you should have in your car at all times, which conveniences won't work without electricity, and things every individual should know about their home.
Ed's book can be found on Amazon by title, by ISBN 978-1449578503.
Looking for a Chapter? New Chapter in Texas Panhandle!
ACP has over 2,600 active members in NOW 43 CHAPTERS across the United States. A new chapter was just chartered in the Texas Panhandle.
Local chapter organizers are already preparing to take part in a regional preparedness conference. Chapter president, Dave Stacy, states, “We are very excited to be a part of ACP and look forward to working closely with organizations across the Texas Panhandle to promote Business Continuity and Emergency Response planning.”
The ACP Texas Panhandle Chapter invites organizations and those professionals involved in business continuity, disaster recovery and emergency management to attend any future meeting as a guest. Inquires about meeting schedules and membership may be directed to Texas Panhandle Chapter President, Dave Stacy at dstacy@wnl.com.
If you don't find a local Chapter in or near your city and would be interested
in helping to develop a Chapter in your area, please email your interest to our Director of Chapter Services. Click here for email address
FEMA Addresses Microsoft Worldwide Public Safety Symposium
REDMOND, Wash. -- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate addressed the 2010 Microsoft Worldwide Public Safety Symposium today at the company’s headquarters in Redmond, Washington. Fugate stressed the vital role that the private sector and most important the general public play in the preparedness of our nation’s emergency response team.
“The private sector is one of the most important members of our nation’s emergency response team,” said Fugate. “Today’s event provided an opportunity to discuss the private sector’s invaluable role in preparing and educating the public. A key element of strengthening our nation’s emergency response team is engaging our partners in what they do best, and embracing the private sector’s abilities both before and after disaster strikes will go a long way towards making our nation more resilient.” Read more...
!ACP Response to 7 Questions Posed by DHS/FEMA on PS Prep!
