NFPA 1600

The NFPA 1600 “Standard on Disaster/Emergency Management and Business Continuity Programs” is the US national standard containing the basic criteria for a comprehensive program that addresses disaster recovery, emergency management, and business continuity.  Clearly a benchmark and potentially a requirement, NFPA 1600 should be an important influence on any company’s Business Continuity Program.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is an international nonprofit codes and standards organization with over 60,000 members from all over the world. The majority of the members are representatives of the private and public sectors and come from a wide variety of fields.

NFPA 1600 is considered by many to be the gold standard for continuity and emergency planning in both the public and private sectors, and AliTek Consulting is an expert in developing BCP programs that meet this standard.  The standard addresses methodologies for defining and identifying risks and vulnerabilities and provides planning guidelines which address:

·         Stabilizing the restoration of the physical infrastructure

·         Protecting the health and safety of personnel

·         Crisis communications procedures

·         Management structures for both short-term recovery and ongoing long-term continuity of operations

NFPA 1600 has been adopted as a standard by a significant part of the BCP industry.  The Federal Emergency Management Agency, DRI International, the National Emergency Managers Association (NEMA), and the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) have all endorsed NFPA 1600. FEMA’s Local Capability Assessment for Readiness (LCAR) program, which is used as a benchmark for state and local governments, is based on NFPA 1600.  NEMA adopted 1600 as the basis for their Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP).  In addition, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has adopted NFPA 1600 as well.

FEMA Continuity of Operations (COOP) 

FEMA’s Office of National Security Coordination (ONSC) serves as lead COOP planning agent for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).   ONSC has developed a COOP Guidance Manual and Plan outline that provides COOP policies, procedures, and planning requirements. AliTek has adopted the principles and applicable sections of the document for the development of client COOP plans.

COOP plans are continuously revised and updated to reflect changes and lessons learned through exercises and real events.   COOP plans ensure that essential functions are maintained under all circumstances.

National Incident Management System (NIMS)

The National Incident Management System (NIMS), formerly known as the

Incident Command System (ICS) is the US national standard response protocol designed for emergency management.  NIMS provides a response organization the common framework where people work together effectively in emergency situations.  It establishes standard response and operation procedures to reduce the problems and potential for miscommunication on such incidents.  NIMS is based on a "first-on-scene" structure, where the first responder has charge of the scene until the incident is resolved or the initial responder transitions command to an arriving, more-qualified individual.

AliTek incorporates NIMS concepts in the development of incident and emergency response planning and exercise programs for Business Continuity.

Title IX – Private Sector Preparedness Act

This section of the “Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007” addresses the development and implementation of a “Voluntary Private Sector Preparedness Accreditation and Certification Program”.  Title IX provides for a standards-based, third party accreditation system for private sector preparedness.  AliTek Consulting is at the forefront in developing and implementing this cutting edge law that will impact every American business.

Energy Industry Case Study

Drawing upon AliTek Consulting’s deep background in the energy sector and Business Continuity Planning, we provided a complete suite of services, which included a strategic roadmap, assessments, Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery plan development, training, drill and exercise design and implementation for all impacted personnel.  This holistic approach enabled the client to meet its regulatory requirements with minimal disruption to its critical operations in any given location.  This particular AliTek designed program was nominated as the ‘Best Corporate BCP Strategy’ at The Business Continuity Awards 2008 international award ceremony in London earlier this year.

Service Industry Case Study

Through AliTek Consulting’s in-depth background in the services industries which include banking, supply and food, we provided the products and support necessary to ensure our client’s a recovery and continuity of services including a strategic roadmap, assessments, Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery plan development, training, drill and exercise design and implementation for all impacted personnel.  This holistic approach enabled the client to meet its business and regulatory requirements with minimal disruption to its critical operations in any given location.

Hurricane Preparedness Case Study

In response to hurricane threats on the Gulf Coast, AliTek Consulting has developed Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery plans for several energy and supply chain businesses which include humanitarian relief efforts. These programs entailed the development and implementation of processes and procedures for employee and family safety, business/system shutdowns and recovery, alternative work locations and continuity of operations in areas potentially impacted by these storms.  Companies can be reassured of hurricane and emergency preparedness with healthy BCP and DR plans that provide for safety of their employees and assets and the continuity of the various critical operations.

Pandemic Threat Case Study

Public Health Experts say "It is not a matter of if, but WHEN the next pandemic will occur".  Unlike other crises, a pandemic event affects a business by negatively impacting its employee workforce and/or supply chain rather than its physical assets.  The potential for this severe reduction in work force presents risks that few companies realistically address.

For one global client, AliTek Consulting designed a scalable, multi-phased Severely Reduced Workforce (SRW) program aligned with the World Health Organizations (WHO) Pandemic Alert Levels to meet this challenge.  Built as an SRW (Severely Reduced Workforce) plan rather than a pure pandemic plan, the AliTek plan was flexible enough to be applied to any scenario that could severely impact the employee workforce.

AliTek’s plan addressed the five Phases that a company would encounter during a significant reduction in their workforce:

·        Risk Reduction - identifying hazards, mission-critical company business processes and systems, potential continuity problems affecting the company, and steps taken to prevent or mitigate those problems. 

·        Response - measures to recognize and respond to an emergency, provide for a warning system, identify protective actions, and ensure that mission-critical company activities are carried out.  

·        Management - guidelines and methods for notifying critical teams and personnel, and for establishing minimum required communication capability.

·        Recovery - short and long-term strategies to restore company business operations following an emergency, including ways to prevent/mitigate a hazards impact on the company.

·        Resumption - procedures and guidelines for restoring "normal" operations in rehabilitate or replacement facility, and outlining responsibilities of the Team for post-Incident reporting

AliTek’s SRW/Pandemic plan achieves the client’s goals and objectives to:

·        Protect the health of company personnel and family

·        Maintain critical business processes

·        Minimize disruption to company operations

·        Mitigate impact to corporate brand and reputation

·        Reduce the loss of revenue and financial impact

·        Resume normal business operations as efficiently and quickly as feasible

We hope this plan is never fully executed in a LIVE situation. However, history shows that these scenarios are very real. Creating these plans communicates that the safety and wellbeing of personnel is important to the company; the brand and shareholder value of both the company and business partners are being protected; and the company is prepared to survive a catastrophic event of this nature.