Chamber Focuses on Small Business Security

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States Chamber of Commerce hosted the launch of a new government website devoted to small business disaster preparedness, in conjunction with the Department of Homeland Security and the Advertising Council.

"If all businesses are prepared to survive and recover, the nation and our economy are more secure," said Andrew Howell, Chamber vice president, Homeland Security. "Having an emergency plan can help protect a company's operations, assets and employees."

The "Ready for Business" website (http://www.ready.gov/) – unveiled during an online and live event featuring Department of Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge – will provide practical steps businesses can take to safeguard their employees and assets while preparing for business continuity in the event of a disaster.

Built off of the Department's successful Ready campaign, the "Ready for Business" effort will provide guidance to help businesses plan to stay in business, talk to their employees and protect their investment.

Leading U.S. firms have taken new steps to improve staff awareness and preparedness since September 11. For example, Landstar System, Inc., recently gathered several hundred of its Business Capacity Owners to teach them new ways to protect themselves and their equipment in today's higher-threat environment. KPMG enhanced the preparedness of their firm's D.C. and Tyson's Corner employees when it hosted a "Together We Prepare" training session with the American Red Cross focused on first aid and emergency preparedness skills. BellSouth assembled and trained a team of volunteers, dubbed the "Service Assurance Emergency Response Brigade" (SABRE), to restore service and infrastructure in BellSouth facilities where chemical, biological, radioactive or nuclear contamination had disrupted communications. And Business Performance Technology (BPTech), an e-learning company, is offering free courses from its web site established specifically for National Preparedness Month.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation representing more than three million businesses and organizations of every size, sector and region.

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