The Small Business Recognition Program (SBRP) is a new component of the voluntary Private Sector Preparedness Accreditation and Certification Program (PS‐Prep™) developed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). It is intended to assist the U.S. business community to better prepare for disasters. This program is currently at the “pilot test” phase, being conducted by the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) ‐ USA.
The purpose of this email is to invite your small business to consider being a participant in the Pilot Study. Essentially you will be helping FEMA and the IAEM to build this program based upon your participation and recommendations.
This study involves small businesses testing a “Self-Declaration of Conformity” tool that validates them as having a credible business continuity plan. Small business participants will provide a narrative response to specific questions about their organization’s business continuity processes, which will then be validated through an independent review by a qualified assessor. During the Pilot Study, small businesses will be required to attach a PDF copy of their business continuity plan, which will serve as a reference, if needed, in clarifying the responses they make to the questions.
IAEM respects participants’ right to privacy and does not expect anyone to offer specifics about the content of their business continuity plan. Rather, they will be asked about the actions taken during its development.
Actual SBRP recognition will not be awarded during the Pilot Phase, but rather, participants will be given expert feedback and recommendations regarding their business continuity plan.
IBHS is pleased to say that FEMA and the IAEM recently reviewed the Open for Business and OFB-EZ programs and determined that they meet the requirements to qualify a small business for a SBRP recognition of completion. Therefore, IBHS’ Open for Business and OFB-EZ users have been asked to participate in this Pilot Study.
Please review the details describing the Pilot Study. Your participation in this pilot study is voluntary. Please complete the Prequalification Form no later than Friday, January 31, 2014 in order to be considered as a participant in the Pilot Study. We appreciate your assistance in strengthening business disaster preparedness throughout the nation.
If you have any questions regarding the Small Business Recognition Program or the Pilot Study, please contact either Julie Husk at jhusk@iaem.com, (703) 538-1795 ext. 1789 or Marg Verbeek by email atmarg@globalemergencyconsulting.com.