Following East Coast blackout, agency advises businesses to prepare for the unexpected.
Following the massive blackout Aug. 14 that crippled portions of the Northeast, the American Red Cross of Central New Jersey is advising businesses to take steps to prepare for the unexpected.
To that end, the agency will host a Disaster Preparedness and Business Continuity Planning Conference and Exhibition on Sept. 17.
The conference is intended to assist employers in responding to the needs of employees and their families during disasters and crisis situations. Topics to be covered include homeland security, crisis communications, risk management, public health and bioterrorism, and human resources in disaster.
"In order to ensure the safety of its employees and its assets, businesses must have an emergency plan in place should disaster strike," said Kevin Sullivan, chief executive officer of the American Red Cross of Central New Jersey. "With the possibility of natural disasters, terrorist attacks and everyday emergencies, being prepared can help save lives."
The keynote speaker for this full-day conference is Dr. Ivan Walks, CEO of Ivan Walks & Associates. Dr. Walks was the chief health officer of the District of Columbia during the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and the anthrax scare.
Speakers from federal and state government such as Sidney Caspersen, director of the New Jersey Office of Counter-Terrorism and Homeland Security; Dr. Clifton Lacy, commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Health & Senior Services; and Sharon Bryson, deputy director of the Office of Transportation Disaster Assistance, will also provide advice. Also scheduled to speak are representatives from area educational institutions and businesses.
"Unlike other conferences that focus on computer systems and facility issues, we are dealing with real issues that could impact the lives of real people," said Paul Carden, director of emergency services for the local chapter of the American Red Cross. "Companies will learn about each other and each other’s capabilities. This knowledge and familiarity will help to make businesses, employees, families and community members more prepared and ultimately safer should disaster strike."
More than 250 business representatives are expected to attend the conference, which will be held at the Westin Princeton at Forrestal Village, 201 Village Blvd., Plainsboro.
As an added benefit for attending the conference, each representative will earn 7.25 hours of accredited continuing education units towards PHR & SPHR recertification and 0.5 Continuance of Certification credits. The registration fee is $140 for members of the Disaster Preparedness for Business Partnership and $175 for nonmembers.
The Disaster Preparedness for Businesses Partnership is a network that creates an ongoing partnership between the American Red Cross and businesses in the central New Jersey area. The partnership promotes, supports and enables emergency preparedness and response, and allows rapid normalization of productivity, commerce and quality of life following an emergency for businesses, employees, their families and the community.
More information on the conference is available by calling (609) 951-8550 or at www.njredcross.org.