9-11 Commission presented with business continuity recommendations

The Honorable Lee H. Hamilton, vice chair of the 9-11 Commission, appeared yesterday at a reception hosted by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) to receive a recommendation on emergency preparedness and business continuity. The Institute recommended that a voluntary national preparedness standard should be promoted, based on criteria developed by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

Developed by ANSI's Homeland Security Standards Panel (ANSI-HSSP), the recommendation proffers the American National Standard for Disaster/ Emergency Management and Business Continuity Programs (NFPA 1600). The 9-11 Commission will consider this recommendation in preparing its final report to Congress and the President.

"It has been over 31 months since the 9/11 attacks. Now is the time to plan, prepare and build partnerships," said Hamilton. "The work that ANSI has done over the past three months in partnership with the private sector and government in developing this recommendation exemplifies this endeavour."

"Voluntary standards can assist in protection of assets, disaster recovery, and emergency preparedness, and are critical to national economic and security interests," said ANSI president and CEO Mark W. Hurwitz. "ANSI was a logical choice to serve as the forum for safety, security and crisis intervention experts to work together to develop this recommendation for consideration by the Commission."

"Now is the time for serious consideration of a national preparedness standard. Your hard work is truly a service to our nation," Hamilton continued.

Electronic copies of NFPA 1600 are available for download here

•Date: 30th April 2004 •Region: N.America•Type: Article •Topic: BC general
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