ACP's Position on Title IX (PS Prep)

Podcast: FEMA On PS-Prep

As part of its ongoing partnership with businesses and private sector organizations around this country, FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate recently participated in the Business Roundtable's first ever podcast series focused specifically on how the private sector can help strengthen the nation's disaster resilience. In the interview, hosted by Stanford University's Center for Social Innovation, Fugate discussed how individuals, business, and government all share responsibility for making our communities better prepared for and more resilient to all hazards. This podcast is one in a series of executive interviews produced by the Business Roundtable's Partnership for Disaster Response in partnership with Stanford, to highlight disaster resilience. More at: www.FEMA.gov/privatesector

 

 

Secretary Napolitano Announces Key Milestone Toward Implementing DHS’ Small Business Preparedness Plan

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano today (September 30, 2010) announced a key milestone in the Department’s efforts to develop a robust small business preparedness plan—soliciting public comment on a private sector readiness certification program specifically tailored to the needs of small businesses.

“Ensuring America’s small businesses have the critical information and training they need to better respond to disasters will strengthen the entire nation’s preparedness and resilience,” said Secretary Napolitano.

DHS published a notice in the Federal Register today seeking public comment on its proposed plan for implementing separate classifications and methods of certification for small businesses under PS-Prep. This first-of-its-kind program will tailor voluntary private sector preparedness certification standards to specifically meet the needs and capabilities of America’s small businesses.

The small business preparedness plan is part of the Private Sector Preparedness Accreditation and Certification Program (PS-Prep)—a 9/11 Commission-recommended voluntary partnership between DHS and the private sector to improve businesses’ preparedness and resilience for disasters and emergencies. PS-Prep enables private sector entities to receive emergency preparedness certification from a DHS program created in coordination with the private sector.

For more information, visit http://www.fema.gov/privatesectorpreparedness/

 

 

Webinar Material: PS Prep And Small Business Examining The Issues

On October 12, 2010 a webinar on Cybersecurity and Business Continuity was conducted for ACP members.

We have provided for your reference the profiles of the presenters. David A Kondrup - Daniel A Dec Profile

 

 

On October 11, 2010 a webinar on PS Prep and Business Continuity was conducted for ACP members

 

 

ANAB Announces PS-Prep Accreditation Guidance

On Sept 22, 2010 ANAB announced that it was accepting applications for firms interested in the PS-Prep program. You can find the press release on the ANAB website at: http://www.anab.org/news/2010/09/anab-announces-ps-prep-accreditation-guidance.aspx.

As further developments unfold in this area, we will keep you advised.

 

 

PS Prep Update Webinar On September 15th Presentation Now Available

The webinar on PS Prep was conducted on September 15, 2010. There were 167 participants! The slide deck from the presentation is now available.

 

 

Career Options and the PS Prep Program Webinar, July 27, 2010

There were 230 participants in this first webinar. To view the presentation and hear the recording click on the link below.

Some suggestions:
  1. Make sure your audio is turned on in your PC.
  2. To view the presentation in full screen, after you click on the link and load the video, move your cursor to the bottom right of the video and click on the arrow icon.
  3. The title presentation slide will remain static for 3 minutes before the presentation begins. To skip this delay use your cursor to move the video play bar to out to 3:00 minutes.

http://www.vimeo.com/13689182

Power Point (2003 vs) of PR Prep Career Options. Click here to download Power Point...

 

 

June 30, 2010:

ACP recognizes the importance of the PS Prep initiative and is committed to keeping our members informed of the latest developments in this program.

The ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board (ANAB) is now actively soliciting applications from recognized certification bodies (CBs) who are interested in applying for accreditation in one of more of the four approved standards. To learn more click here...

 

 

Don Byrne's Article on June 15, 2010 Announcement

 

 

June 15, 2010:
Subject: SECRETARY NAPOLITANO ANNOUNCES NEW STANDARDS FOR PRIVATE SECTOR PREPAREDNESS

SECRETARY NAPOLITANO ANNOUNCES NEW STANDARDS FOR PRIVATE SECTOR PREPAREDNESS

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano today announced the adoption of the final standards for the Voluntary
Private Sector Preparedness Accreditation and Certification Program (PS-Prep)—a major milestone in DHS’ implementation of a program recommended by the 9/11 Commission to improve private sector preparedness for disasters and emergencies.

“Private organizations across the country—from businesses to universities to non-profit organizations—have a vital role to play in bolstering our disaster preparedness and response capabilities,” said Secretary Napolitano. “These new standards will provide our private sector partners with the tools they need to enhance the readiness and resiliency of our nation.”

PS-Prep is a partnership between DHS and the private sector that enables private entities to receive emergency preparedness certification from a DHS accreditation system created in coordination with the private sector.

The standards—developed by the National Fire Protection Association, the British Standards Institution and ASIS International—were published for public comment in the Federal Register in Oct. 2009.  The adoption of the final standards was published in a Federal Register notice today following a series of regional public meetings and the incorporation of public comments.

DHS will continue to accept comments on PS-Prep, the three adopted standards, and/or proposals to adopt any other similar standard that satisfies the target criteria of the December 2008 Federal Register notice which announced the program.

Comments may be submitted to

  • http://www.regulations.gov
  • http://links.govdelivery.com
  • This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , in Docket ID FEMA-2008-0017).

 

 

Don Byrne's Presentation at Continuity Insights Conference - April 2010

 

 

At its meetings Wednesday (May 5, 2010) and yesterday ANAB’s Accreditation Council approved the PS-Prep Accreditation Rule be distributed for public comment “once DHS designates standards”.  We will be holding the AR until such time as one or more standards is designated.

It also confirmed that in accordance with ANAB’s processes that the AR would be distributed through normal ANAB channels to seek public comments.  This is in response to considerable council fear that if it was distributed through other channels, there would be so much misunderstanding that the comments received would overwhelm our resources with comments which have no bearing whatsoever on our accredited conformity assessment activities.  The council reiterated that the AR outlines only requirements for our certification bodies and not any other organizations.

Section 7 was moved by the council to section 9, “Additional Requirements”.

Council also suggested that some requirements be added in consideration of the manner by which CBs will have to input PS-Prep client information into ANAB’s database.  Additionally it suggested, in a holistic approach, that all of ANAB’s ARs contain a section which outlines the marketplace expectations of each program, so that CBs can work with their audit teams in developing audit plans which take those expectations into account.  I will be adding these two bits of information to our next iteration.

Scott Richter
Director, Planning & Development
ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board | ACLASS & ANAB

 

 

ACP PS Prep Position Statement to DHS/FEMA Questions - 4Q 2009

 

 

ACP PS Prep Position Statement - 4Q 2009

 

 

ACP Update on BC Standards_Aug09

 

 

ACP Title IX Summary Report

 

 

The Sloan Foundation Report

Recently, as a member of DRI International you may have received an email from DRI urging you to express your opinion as to the suitability of a Business Continuity Standard proposed by ASIS International. You can view this proposed standard on the ASIS web site:

http://www.asisonline.org/guidelines/inprogress_published.htm

The ASIS proposal is one of several that are being circulated as part of a national initiative inspired by the passing of Public Law 110-53. Other notable standards include NFPA 1600 and BS 25999.

ACP recognizes the validity of both statements and takes no position on the dispute between these two organizations.  We must respect the interests of our members and we recognize that members may be connected to any of these positions: NFPA 1600 through DRII certification and the professional practices; BS 25999 through their companies' domestic and overseas operations and partnerships; and ASIS with a desire to identify an alternative, comprehensive standard to address more items under Title IX.  All sides have merit and we believe that the decision to support one or the other is an individual decision for our members.

However, we do believe that it is in keeping with our mission to help inform our members and encourage discussion of Best Practices. To this end, Michelle Cross, Director of Strategic Alliances has assembled a sub-committee of ACP members who are working with various groups including the ANSI/ASQ National Accreditation Board (ANAB),   InterCEP, ASIS International, DRI International, the Institute of Internal Auditors, and the British Standards Institute.   

The ACP Voluntary Certification Sub-Committee members are:
  • Donald Byrne, North River Solutions, Inc., ACP Member and Committee Chair
  • Michelle Cross, Well Fargo Insurance, Inc., ACP Board Member
  • Susan Mitchell, Wilmer Hale, LLP, Boston ACP Chapter President
  • Douglas Moore, IBM, Boston ACP Program Director
  • Phillip Oppenheim, ACP Member
  • Charles Sidoti, OneBeacon Insurance, ACP Member
  • Michael Thomson, Impact Weather, Inc., Houston ACP Chapter President

Over the course of the next few weeks we will provide our members with updated information on developments relating to the establishment of a corporate standard. A White Paper on the topic of Public Law 110-53 and associated FAQs are in the final stages of development. A standard presentation that can be used by any member is being created and additional educational materials are being assembled.

The Committee is also developing a series of informative briefings which will be made available to each ACP chapter in the near future. ACP will be participating in several events that provide a forum for discussion of Best Practices and a corporate standard. For example, ACP is a co-sponsor of the upcoming 7th Plenary meeting of the ANSI Homeland Security Standards Panel (ANSI-HSSP) being held in Washington DC on October 2.

In the meantime, should you have any questions relating to the progress of this ACP committee or would like to arrange for a presentation on this subject at your chapter, please contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

 

Title IX Voluntary Preparedness Certification Update

Earlier in October 2009, two significant meetings took place in Washington DC.  Members of the ACP Voluntary Certification Sub Committee were present at both meetings and provided the following summaries:

October 2nd, ANSI-HSSP  hosted a meeting in Washington, DC on Public Law 110-53 Title IX, the voluntary private sector preparedness standards and certification program).  This event featured four panels of leaders from those organizations involved in the roll-out, as well as key stakeholders from the private sector.  Panel topics included: Standards; Accreditation and Certification; as well as the Business Case for Certification.  A summary of the meeting can be found by clicking here

In addition, DHS presented target criteria to evaluate preparedness standards. DHS will be posting a notice to the Federal Register to outline the details of the program, including their target criteria.  Those interested parties should take this opportunity to review the DHS proposal and issue comments.

October 3rd, ASIS International hosted a stakeholder deliberation to review a new Business Continuity Management standard proposed by ASIS. Attendees included Business Continuity Professionals from over a dozen organizations and representatives from DRI International, the Association of Contingency Planners and the Business Continuity Institute.  This meeting was held in compliance with ANSI procedural requirements in response to concerns over the development and application of the new standard. Participants agreed this meeting was a productive step toward developing a new auditable and scalable standard.

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