Leading business organizations and federal agencies seek to reach millions
of small- to medium-sized businesses nationwide with emergency preparedness
tools
WASHINGTON, May 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Designed as a call-to-action for
business leaders, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security today launched
the "Ready Business" Mentoring Initiative. This effort includes the "Ready
Business" Mentoring Guides and other business preparedness tools to help
owners and managers of small and medium-sized businesses prepare for
emergencies. Homeland Security, in collaboration with the U.S. Department
of Commerce, Small Business Administration, U.S. Department of Agriculture
and the nation's leading business organizations, will distribute the "Ready
Business" Mentoring Guides and other materials as the 2006 hurricane season
approaches.
"With small- to medium-sized businesses comprising 99% of all employers
in the United States, preparing these businesses for emergencies is vital
to the nation's economic health," said George Foresman, Under Secretary for
Preparedness. "This new 'Ready Business' Mentoring Initiative will help
provide business owners and managers with practical and usable tools to
protect their companies against a broad range of hazards."
The Initiative includes new "Ready Business" Mentoring Guides, which
are comprised of two workbooks, the Mentor Edition and the User Edition.
Each guide consists of more than 50 pages of step-by-step information
designed to teach business owners and managers about affordable ways to
better protect their businesses. The materials enable businesses to create
and execute an emergency preparedness plan. The "Ready Business" Mentoring
Guides include:
-- Business Continuity and Disaster Preparedness Sample Plan
-- Business Emergency Supply Checklist
-- Insurance Discussion Form
-- Computer Inventory Form
-- Testimonials and a list of additional resources
The Education Disaster Extension Network (EDEN) collaborated with
Homeland Security to develop presentation materials that will assist
business and community leaders in hosting business preparedness workshops
across the nation. These presentation materials complement the "Ready
Business" Mentoring Guides and enable leaders to deliver training sessions
on how to plan to stay in business; talk to employees; and protect assets.
EDEN is a national network of cooperative extension service professionals
that is funded in part by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Cooperative
State Research, Education, and Extension Service.
The "Ready Business" Mentoring Initiative aims to reach millions of
owners and managers of small- and medium-sized businesses through the
distribution networks of the U.S. Department of Commerce, Small Business
Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Department of Agriculture,
EDEN, National Academic Consortium for Homeland Security, U.S. Chamber of
Commerce, U.S.
Junior Chamber of Commerce (Jaycees), Society of Human Resource
Managers, Business Executives for National Security, and ASIS
International.
The "Ready Business" Mentoring Initiative is the newest resource of the
"Ready Business" Campaign. Launched in September 2004 by Homeland Security
and the Advertising Council "Ready Business" is an extension of the
Department's successful "Ready" Campaign that focuses on business
preparedness. "Ready Business" encourages owners and managers of small- to
medium-sized businesses to make an emergency plan; talk to their employees;
and protect their assets. All "Ready Business" materials reflect the
Emergency Preparedness and Business Continuity Standard (NFPA 1600)
developed by the National Fire Protection Association and endorsed by the
American National Standards Institute, the 9/11 Commission and the U.S.
Department of Homeland Security.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security promotes individual emergency
preparedness through the "Ready" Campaign and Citizen Corps as part of a
broader national effort conducted by the Department's Preparedness
Directorate. "Ready" is a national public service advertising campaign
produced by The Advertising Council in partnership with Homeland Security.
The "Ready" campaign is designed to educate and empower Americans to
prepare for and respond to emergencies, including natural disasters and
potential terrorist attacks. Individuals interested in more information
about family and business preparedness can visit http://www.ready.gov or
call 1-800-BE- READY to receive a "Get Ready Now" brochure. Citizen Corps,
Homeland Security's grassroots effort, localizes preparedness messages and
provides opportunities for citizens to get emergency response training;
participate in community exercises; and volunteer to support local first
responders. To learn more and to get involved, contact your nearest Citizen
Corps Council by visiting http://www.CitizenCorps.gov.
Contact: DHS Press Office, 202-282-8010
SOURCE U.S. Department of Homeland Security
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Related links:
http://www.CitizenCorps.gov
http://www.ready.gov
CONTACT:
DHS Press Office, +1-202-282-8010
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