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Institute for Crisis, Disaster, and Risk Management Crisis and Emergency Management Newsletter Website |
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December
2006
Volume
11 - Number 3 |
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By Byoungdo Jung On May 11, 2005, Business Roundtable announced a new initiative that will expand the private sector commitment to global relief efforts by creating an unprecedented network to expedite relief to disaster victims. The program will bring the resources and expertise of U.S. businesses to enhance and accelerate on-the-ground relief and recovery activities in response to major natural disasters. At that time, Hank Mckinnell, Chairman of Business Roundtable and Chairman and CEO of Pfizer Inc, said “Our new Partnership for Disaster Relief will lay the groundwork to advance the private sector’s role in disaster preparedness and will reap immeasurable benefits when a natural disaster occurs.” On May 30, 2006, Business Roundtable named Bob Nardelli, Chairman, President & CEO of The Home Depot, Inc, as Chairman of its Partnership for Disaster Response Task Force, a group of chief executive officers of Business Roundtable member companies who will work to improve coordination of corporate America and the public and nonprofit sectors the both prepare for and respond to domestic and international disasters. And lately, Business Roundtable, an association of 160 chief executive officers of leading U.S. companies, launched a new Web site, www.respondtodisaster.org, the first comprehensive clearinghouse of information to help the business community better prepare for disasters. The Web site includes corporate best practices in responding to disasters, a directory of relief agencies, tools on how companies and employees can contribute most effectively to relief efforts and guidance on volunteer opportunities for employees. It also gives detail about its aims and activities. The Partnership for Disaster Response works to enhance the efficiency of the private sector’s response to communities’ most critical needs following a disaster by mobilizing valuable resources-beyond financial contributions-that Roundtable member companies are equipped to provide. The Partnership for Disaster Response was activated for the first time immediately following Hurricane Katrina. Business Roundtable member companies contributed $362 million in funding, services, supplies and equipment to support Hurricane Katrina immediate relief efforts. The Partnership urged member companies to contribute to the relief effort and facilitated communications about critical, on-the-ground needs. The Partnership also maintained daily contact with the American Red Cross, The Salvation Army, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Commerce and others, and helped match these organizations’ needs with member companies’ resources. The Partnership for Disaster Response is working to develop plans and identify deployable resources for the four key phases of disaster response: ° Prepare – Establish business continuity plans, employee assistance and volunteer programs, community partnerships with local and national responders, and other programs or channels that can be activated when a disaster strikes. ° Respond – Mitigate the impact of a disaster by immediately collecting and transporting food, safe drinking water, and other needed supplies. ° Recover – Deploy volunteers, financial support, goods and supplies, heavy equipment, technology, and other assets to accelerate the restoration of order and critical infrastructure to affected communities. ° Rebuild – Sustain the long-term rebuilding efforts and restore housing capacity, jobs, community assets, and environmental resources damaged and destroyed by disaster events. |