QUINCY, Mass. - The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is offering a series of two-day workshops on its Disaster/Emergency Management and Continuity Programs Standard (NFPA 1600) throughout the United States, to help employers in the private and public sectors prepare their disaster plans.

The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, signed into law by President Bush, includes NFPA 1600, which was among the dozens of recommendations made by the 9-11 Commission. The new law encourages the Secretary of Homeland Security to promote the adoption of voluntary national preparedness standards.

The workshops are designed to help employers develop new emergency management and business continuity programs, and assess and enhance existing programs for potential hazards like hurricanes, tornadoes, utility or technology emergencies, workplace violence, and terrorism. The sessions address evacuation, adequate communications capabilities, and continuity of operations.

Property, engineering, security, and facility management employees, as well as those in loss prevention, risk management, and others charged with protecting facilities, will benefit from these sessions, according to the association.

For more information, visit www.nfpa.org.

Publication date: 02/21/2005