Coalition Overview
“Private sector preparedness is not a luxury; it is a cost of doing business in the post-9/11 world. It is ignored at a tremendous cost in lives, money, and national security” (National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States, 2004).
This statement clearly points out that “private sector” involvement in preparing for extreme emergencies is essential to protecting America. The report went on to state, “It is well known that approximately 85% of that infrastructure which we consider to be ‘critical’ is owned and operated by the private sector.” Moreover, the systems and key resources operated by the private sector are integral to the safety and well-being of all citizens. In this sense, public safety is everyone’s business.
Vision:
The NW PA Business Coalition for Homeland Security is a collaboration between the Mercyhurst College Public Safety Institute, the NW PA ERG and northwest Pennsylvania businesses to improve the overall operational safety of the participating private enterprises. The goal of the business coalition is to help businesses prepare for emergencies and to forge relationships that will allow the private and public sectors to cooperate when emergencies do occur.
Agencies Involved:
- The Mercyhurst College Public Safety Institute (PSI) has been training first responders and providing logistical support to their efforts for several years.
- The Northwestern Pennsylvania Emergency Response Group (NW PA ERG) is comprised of five counties in northwestern Pennsylvania: Crawford, Warren, Erie, Venango and Forest. The ERG has worked closely with the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and numerous other public safety agencies, both paid and volunteer, to improve the level of safety in this region.
- The Pittsburgh Regional Business Coalition for Homeland Security (Pittsburgh Business Coalition) is the first organized effort officially linking public safety assets to private enterprise. Started by Westinghouse and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) in 2004, the Coalition has grown into a vibrant organization including scores of businesses and governmental agencies.
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Pittsburgh District
Potential Safety Products:
Obviously, most successful businesses already have inspections, safety assets and contingency plans in place. However, continuous upgrade efforts are necessary. Furthermore, most of these safety plans (in companies where they do exist) may not be sufficient. In consideration of the obvious need for safety services to the public sector, some of the proposed services to business partnerships include:
- BECON (Business Emergency Communications Network), an emergency communications network. BECON alerts area businesses concerning emerging threats such as weather emergencies, hazardous spills, active shooters and other serious concerns affecting business operations and staff/customer safety.
- PARR (Private Assets for Region Responders), another asset developed in Pittsburgh that provides the business community with a data base of items required in the time of an emergency such as safety personnel, equipment, supplies and facilities.
- Periodic business meetings to discuss safety concerns.
- Building/property security assessments: An unbiased evaluation of building conditions and operating systems.
- § Crime prevention education: Instruction on the techniques, community activities and available resources to prevent criminal activity in or around your business.
- Policy/procedures composition: Assist in developing standard operating procedures and internal control policies.
- Process evaluations/gap analysis: Provide assessment tools enabling businesses to compare actual performance with potential outcomes.
- Retail theft prevention/education: Provide information on loss prevention and security to prevent customer and employee theft, and presents statistics, security data and reports to reduce retail shrinkage problems.
- Strategic planning: Provide assistance defining the direction of an organization and deciding how to allocate resources to optimize results.
Summary:
This project is an ambitious attempt to join the considerable assets of the private sector, a regionally based college, and a highly effective emergency response group to improve public safety.
The underlying premise that “safety is everyone’s business” is the heart of the coalition. This initiative will be implemented only through great effort. However, to do nothing is simply not an option
The Goal of the NWPA Business Coalition for Homeland Security
The goal is to ensure:
- the safety, resilience and vitality of Northwestern PA
- the private and public sectors collaborate on public safety issues
- that the private sector is prepared to respond efficiently and effectively to emergencies and disasters
- that the private sector is able to recover in the aftermath of a disaster
Our Mission to Achieve Our Goal:
- Create awareness of the need for comprehensive disaster planning and collaboration between the public and private sectors.
- Assist businesses, institutions and organizations to complete customized individual disaster plans.
- Provide disaster training for members.
- Build a communication network for members to share information with each other.
- Act as a clearinghouse on matters of public safety and national security.
- Provide a single point to the private sector on issues of regional disaster planning, response and recovery.
Our Vision
The NWPA Business Coalition for Homeland Security’s Vision is to ensure the private sector is aware, prepared and connected.
