ACP's Position on Title IX (PS Prep)
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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.
Power Point (2003 vs) of PR Prep Career Options. Click here to download Power Point...
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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...
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Don Byrne's Article on June 15, 2010 Announcement
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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.govhttp://links.govdelivery.com
FEMA-POLICY@dhs.gov, in Docket ID FEMA-2008-0017).
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Don Byrne's Presentation at Continuity Insights Conference - April 2010
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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
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ACP PS Prep Position Statement to DHS/FEMA Questions - 4Q 2009
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ACP PS Prep Position Statement - 4Q 2009
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ACP Update on BC Standards_Aug09
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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:
Over the course of the next few weeks we will provide our members with updated information on developments relating to the establishment of a national 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 national 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:dbyrne@NorthRiverSolutions.com
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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.