March 1, 2007 -- In response to the recommendations for private sector preparedness from the 9/11 Commission, House of Representatives Bill, HR1 and Senate Bill, S4, the National Emergency Management Registrars (NEMR) has been formed to provide third party assessment and registration to private sector entities looking to provide evidence of compliance to the revised Section 519 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 318).
House Bill, HR1, Title XI, will revise Section 519 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 318) to include Participation Of Private Sector Organizations In Emergency Preparedness And Response Activities. NEMR will act as a third party registrar of emergency systems using the American National Standard, NFPA 1600 - Disaster/Emergency Management and Business Continuity Programs.
According to NEMR, considering that 85% of the nation's critical infrastructure is in private hands, this bill represents a major leap forward in ensuring that private sector entities are prepared and can continue operations in the event of a local or national disaster.
Based in the greater Detroit area, NEMR was developed by three partners who decided to bring their considerable experience in the development of quality and environmental management systems for the private sector to the arena of disaster/emergency management and business continuity.
According to a press release, the decision to create NEMR came about after reviewing the impact on the private sector during and after disasters, including the events of 9/11 and Hurricanes Rita, Katrina and Wilma. From the review, the partners say they saw the need for private sector preparedness and third party assessment and registration as necessary, if not imperative to the economy of the U.S.
NEMR says it addresses the need for an independent, third party verification system; registration is intended to establish that a private entity has a viable system in place and it is effectively implemented.
Additionally, according to NEMR, registration establishes a viable system for the protection of personnel and operations in a disaster/emergency, and the ability to recover and continue to operate after the immediate danger has passed.