The terrorist attacks of 9-11-01 and
Hurricane Katrina were wake up calls
for the private sector. No longer
can we assume our big brother will
be able to reach us in time, let
alone pull us out of harms way.
We've seen what happens when a
crisis overwhelms public sector
first responders or when the
duration of the crisis exhausts
recovery and reconstruction assets.
The calls has gone out
from the highest levels
of government. "Everyone needs to
get involved!" Katrina, the
tsunami, and recent wildfires have
just added a sense of urgency
to the calls.
Katrina demonstrated how a
disorganized, shoot-from-the-hip,
and a poorly coordinated private sector response can block
supply lines, shut down
communication systems, misdirects
first aid, and spread false rumors
that only increase trauma and
add to property and casualty losses.
Ironically, once the wind calmed
and the water receded, we learned
we'd witnessed the most successful
crisis' response in recorded history.
Unfortunately, finger pointers and
sensationalists grabbed headlines
and opened doors to scam artists,
con-men, and rip-off artists. learn more
This
site adopts the U.S.
Incident Command System (ICS) to the
private sector. Here, we promote
"worst case scenario contingency
planning, better coordinated public-to-private
partnerships, redundant
"private" sector communication systems,
Easy-speak,
and less red tape.
Studies
indicate we're all overwhelmed
by the barrage of
security advice generated after
Katrina. Some estimate 90% of what's
published is a restatement of common
sense, while the remaining 10%
benefits the reader by introducing
new security technologies, updating
response and recovery protocols, and
integrating crisis management
system. As much as possible we'll
link you to, as they say in
Wisconsin, "the horses mouth."
- For example;
click here
to read Federal
guidelines for forming law
enforcement to private sector
partnerships.
click here to learn about
Wisconsin's preparations for the
next pandemic.
Click here to learn more about
FEMA, and
click here to read my paper on
"Katrina' Best and Worst Practices."
-
Click here to reach our Risk
Management library and white
papers on Homeland Security.
Note
links in the right column.
Solutions:
- Keep it simple!
- Adopt
International Risk Management
Performance Standards.
- Speak a common crisis
management language.
- Maintain dependable
"closed-loop" communications
with your front lines.
- Constantly benchmark and
test your Risk Management
methods.
- When in doubt, CHARGE!
- Never sound retreat before
our troops are out of harms way.
