Nassau County Launches Corporate Emergency Accss System (CEAS)

Nassau County launches Corporate Emergency Accss System (CEAS). Innovative program helps business recover from emergencies or disasters.

Long Island, New York (PRWeb) December 20, 2006 -- Nassau County, in partnership with the Business Network of Emergency Resources (BNET), recently announced the countywide launch of the Corporate Emergency Access System (CEAS). In the event of a large-scale emergency, CEAS provides companies quick authorized access to their affected worksites, minimizing economic injury to business.

CEAS is a pre-event credentialing program, which authenticates critical business employees for access to restricted areas following a disaster or serious emergency using a secure identification card recognized by the police. Jurisdictional governments must adopt the CEAS Program for use in their jurisdiction before businesses can enroll in the Program and receive ID cards. The local authorities can implement CEAS following an emergency once immediate threats to life are stabilized.

By allowing emergency access, CEAS gives businesses the ability to rescue valuable assets often left behind in an emergency such as cash, checks, and securities; retrieve vital records, hardware and critical equipment; stabilize and sustain core IT systems, conduct damage assessments, and much more. CEAS also allows government to restore and maintain critical infrastructure by providing access to facilities that are often owned and operated by private-sector firms. The system provides a clear methodology for post-disaster re-entry, a process often overlooked in emergency planning.

"To maintain Nassau County's position as a key business center, we must put in place programs like CEAS so that business can start their recovery activities as soon as possible," said Thomas R. Suozzi, Nassau County Executive. "The CEAS program will make it easier for businesses to recover in the unfortunate event of an emergency or disaster. It also improves Nassau's ability to more quickly recognize the legitimacy of employees trying to gain access to a restricted area. It is a win-win for everyone."

"Safeguarding and restoring businesses and the infrastructure is key to the rapid recovery for the County and its people" said Peter Picarillo, Executive Director of BNET, Inc. "With 85% of the nation's critical infrastructure being privately owned, the CEAS reentry system is essential for making business a priority following a serious emergency or disaster."

"Nassau County has taken the lead by recognizing the needs of both its citizens and its businesses in the event of an emergency. With more than 1.33 million people working in the county, the coordination between the public and private sector is critical for business continuity," said James J. Callahan, III, Director of Nassau County's Office of Emergency Management. CEAS is a great tool for business and a great example of how government and the private sector work together to keep our County prepared. In collaboration with our Office of Emergency Management and the County Police, this important system provides greater assurance to the wide array of businesses that are the foundation of Nassau's economy. The best response to any emergency is getting the County back on its feet as quickly as possible. With this system police can quickly identify designated employees and allow them access to their place of business."

BNET's CEAS program has already been implemented in five northeastern cities: New York City and Buffalo, New York, Boston and Cambridge, Massachusetts, and Stamford, Connecticut. More cities nationwide are expected to participate in the near future.

"Nassau County's implementation of CEAS is the right message for corporate America", said John DiNuzzo, Chair of the Board of Directors for the Contingency Planning Exchange, Inc., metropolitan New York's largest professional business continuity association. "Business disruptions can occur anywhere, at any time. Nassau County is saying, 'We'll make it easier for you to reopen', when major storms and other community emergencies happen."

"This is a tremendous initiative for the people of Nassau County and for businesses large and small," said Dr. Robert Leviton, President of the Business Network of Emergency Resources (BNET). "It's vital that all businesses are able to recover following a major disaster to help communities get back to work. This program will play a big part in those recovery efforts."

About Business Network of Emergency Resources, Inc (BNET)

BNET, headquartered in New York City, is a not-for-profit company dedicated to establishing practical and effective emergency and crisis management solutions through partnerships between the public and private sector. Created by BNET, the Corporate Emergency Access System (CEAS) uses a 'critical employee access card' system to mitigate the economic loss incurred through unforeseen emergencies where access to the workplace is restricted. The goal of CEAS is to accelerate recovery time for both business and government. For more information visit www.ceas.com.

Contact: Fred Yaeger,Sarah Eachus

Office: (914) 423 7972

Cell: (914) 525 9198

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