Study: Impact Of 7.7 Quake on New Madrid Seismic Zone


Written by pkirvan on January 6, 2009 in Business Continuity, Crisis Management and Crisis Communication, Disaster Recovery, Emergency Response, disaster preparedness.

The Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recently released a report, Impact of Earthquakes on the Central USA, which presents the findings of a two-year study on the impact of a 7.7 magnitude earthquake on states in the New Madrid Seismic Zone (NMSZ).

Read the rest of this entry »

Free Crisis Communication Newsletter


Written by Phil on December 18, 2008 in Crisis Management and Crisis Communication.

The Lukaszewski Group offers a free e-newsletter on crisis management, crisis communication and leadership, “Executive Action, Urgent Information For Executive Decisionmakers.”

Read the rest of this entry »

Did You Know: Canada a Major Player in U.S. Energy Activities


Written by pkirvan on December 11, 2008 in Business Continuity, Crisis Management and Crisis Communication, Disaster Recovery.

Did you know that:

  1. The United States purchases more oil, natural gas, uranium and electricity from Canada than any other country.
  2. Canada’s proven oil reserves total 179 billion barrels, of which 173 billion barrels are in oil sands reserves, making Canada second only to Saudi Arabia in global oil reserves.
  3. 99% of Canada’s crude oil exports are to U.S. markets.
  4. Energy flows in both directions between the United States and Canada.
  5. The Canadian oil sands are critically important to U.S. energy security—and to North American security.
  6. Current oil sands production is 1.2 million barrels per day, and is projected by the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers to reach 2 million barrels per day in 2012, 3 million barrels per day in 2017, and 3.5 million barrels per day in 2020.
  7. One of the biggest challenges to increasing production is making sure that this vast resource is developed in an economically efficient and environmentally responsible way.  The Government of Canada, the Alberta Government, and the oil sands industry have made it clear that they are committed to accomplishing this goal and addressing the environmental challenges.
  8. Both the Canadian federal government and the government of Alberta have greenhouse gas reduction initiatives, including Alberta’s recently announced $2 billion allocation for carbon capture and storage.  Companies have made significant strides over the last decade to bring down the costs and greenhouse gas emissions associated with oil sands production, and are continuing their efforts.

European Union Calls for Civil Protection Proposals


Written by pkirvan on December 2, 2008 in Crisis Management and Crisis Communication, Emergency Response, Testing.

The European Union has issued a second call for proposals for simulation exercises in the area of the Community Civil Protection Mechanism. Simulation exercises organized at the community level are designed as field tests to establish and reinforce a common understanding of the cooperation in civil protection assistance interventions and to improve the quality of the response in major emergencies.

Read the rest of this entry »

Sign Up for Your Free Disaster Resource Guide


Written by Phil on November 18, 2008 in Books, Business Continuity, Crisis Management and Crisis Communication, Disaster Recovery, Emergency Response, disaster preparedness.
The Disaster Resource Guide is a valuable resource for business continuity, disaster recovery, homeland security and crisis management issues.

Did You Know: Small Business Administration and DR


Written by pkirvan on November 18, 2008 in Business Continuity, Crisis Management and Crisis Communication, Disaster Recovery, Emergency Response.

Perhaps you already know that the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) provides low interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private, non-profit organizations to repair or replace real estate, personal property, machinery and equipment, inventory and business assets that have been damaged or destroyed in a declared disaster.

Read the rest of this entry »

So You Want to Be a Speaker - Read On


Written by pkirvan on November 18, 2008 in Business Continuity, Crisis Management and Crisis Communication, Disaster Recovery, Events.

If you’re a speaker looking for opportunities related to Business Continuity, check out the Association of Contingency Planners (ACP). They have a speakers bureau, and recently offered the following topics of interest to their members:

  • Focus on Business Continuity Standards Recent BCP Regulations, Audit, Governance and Compliance Issues
  • Building a Methodology to Support British Standard 25999 and Others
  • Continuity Successes and Challenges: How Are We Measuring Up?
  • Leveraging Virtualization for Disaster Recovery
  • Disaster Preparedness Before-During-After
  • Identify and Manage Security Exposures in Your DR Strategies

For more information on the ACP speakers bureau please click here.

Global Avian/Pandemic Influenza Assistance from U.S. Approaches $1 Billion


Written by pkirvan on November 18, 2008 in Business Continuity, Crisis Management and Crisis Communication, Emergency Response, Pandemics.

With the announcement of a new pledge of $320 million for avian and pandemic influenza assistance, U.S. support to international organizations and to more than 90 countries now totals $949 million. Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs, Paula Dobriansky, announced the U.S. pledge recently at the International Ministerial Conference on Avian and Pandemic Influenza at Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.

Read the rest of this entry »

Warning: Use of Videoconferencing in a Crisis


Written by pkirvan on November 6, 2008 in Business Continuity, Crisis Management and Crisis Communication, Emergency Response.

Although videoconferencing has become a billion-dollar industry, it leaves distant decision-makers less likely to make sound judgments, according to a study published in a journal of the Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS).

Read the rest of this entry »

Study: Economic Impact of a Major Earthquake on California’s Hayward Fault


Written by pkirvan on November 6, 2008 in Business Continuity, Crisis Management and Crisis Communication, Disaster Recovery, Emergency Response.

Risk Management Solutions (RMS) recently announced the results of a study analyzing the impact of a major earthquake on the Hayward Fault in California. The study marks the anniversary of the 1868 Hayward Earthquake (which ruptured the southern section of the fault 140 years ago during October) and was conducted in collaboration with research seismologists led by the US Geological Survey.

Read the rest of this entry »

Want the Boss to Participate, to Behave During Crisis? Have a Plan!


Written by Phil on November 3, 2008 in Crisis Management and Crisis Communication.

What Should the Boss Really Do in a Crisis?

By James E. Lukaszewski, ABC, APR, Fellow PRSA, CCEP

When it comes to readiness and crisis response preparation, there must be more complaining about bosses being burdens and barriers than any other topic.  There are two principal reasons for this complaining and whining.  First, it is true.  A large number of bosses actively avoid participating in disaster, crisis, and business recovery exercises.  Those who put these exercises on tend to take this approach by organizational leadership as a personal insult.  If you stand back for a moment and think about how most drills and exercises are conducted, their very nature is contrary to how operating executives learn, teach, and live, and how they measure their own success and need to succeed.

Read the rest of this entry »