City Of New York launches Corporate Emergency Access Program

Commissioner Joseph F. Bruno of the New York City Office of Emergency Management (OEM) together with Police commissioner Raymond Kelly, Small Business Services commissioner Robert Walsh, New York City Economic Development Corporation president Andrew Alper, BNet president Mark Haimowitz and the Brookfield US chief operating officer Dennis Friedrich have announced the implementation of BNet’s Corporate Emergency Access System (CEAS) in the City Of New York.

CEAS is a program designed to reduce the impact of economic injury following a large-scale emergency. Through a credentialing system for essential employees, the program rapidly facilitates business recovery activities in an impacted area by providing employees quick access to affected worksites. These activities include facility shutdown and time-sensitive recovery actions, both of which help mitigate financial loss and retain customers and employees.

"We all recognise the importance of the business sector and its impact on the nation's economy, as well as on the lives of New Yorkers," Commissioner Bruno said. "The CEAS program will make it easier for businesses to recover in the unfortunate event of an emergency or disaster. It also improves the City's ability to more quickly recognize the legitimacy of employees trying to gain access to a restricted area. It is a win-win for everyone."

When activated, CEAS allows businesses to initiate orderly shut down procedures, assess damage, maintain core IT systems, meet regulatory obligations and secure critical records and data in the aftermath of an emergency. Essential employees and critical service providers selected by the employer can gain access to affected sites by presenting a CEAS standardised credential that is recognised by law enforcement. Designated employees receive the CEAS credential upon enrolment in the program, which streamlines the access process and helps to eliminate the confusion in the aftermath of a disaster. Companies are allocated credentials based on a percentage of the total number of employees, with only critical staff receiving access.

From December 2003 to February 2004, BNet and OEM conducted a pilot of the CEAS program with approximately 20 companies in Lower Manhattan, during which more than 600 employees were issued credentials. After positive feedback, a full-scale implementation program was designed with citywide implementation scheduled to begin in phases and to be complete by December 2004.

In the event of a large-scale emergency, the New York City Office of Emergency Management, in conjunction with the New York City Police Department, will activate the CEAS program. Member organisations will be notified through designated company liaisons, as well as through mass media, that the program has been activated. CEAS members will be permitted access into restricted areas subject to life safety concerns.

CEAS will be managed by Business Network of Emergency Resources (BNet), a NYS not-for-profit corporation. Member companies are responsible for identifying essential employees and managing turnover, title and responsibility changes as well as covering the program's administrative costs. There is no financial cost to the City and small, medium and large companies are all invited to enrol.

For more information about the CEAS program, visit NYC.gov/oem or www.bnetinc.org/ceas

•Date: 16th July 2004 • Region: N.America •Type: Article •Topic: BC general
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