Global Security Associates Works With Companies to Ensure Preparedness for the 2007 Hurricane Season--Now is the Time to Review Survival Strategies

The month of June marks the beginning of the hurricane season which runs through November 30th. Already, the East Coast has experienced its first tropical storm during the early days of the season. The preparation for, and response to, a disaster, can determine the future of a company or organization. The failure of an organization due to its inability to respond to an undesired event can have dire consequences for the company and ultimately the livelihood of its employees and thereby the local community. Preparation is crucial and provides peace of mind in addition to future stability.

New York, New York (PRWEB) June 11, 2007 -- The month of June marks the beginning of the hurricane season which runs through November 30th. Already, the East Coast has experienced its first tropical storm during the early days of the season. "According to experts at the NOAA Climate Prediction Center there is a 75 percent chance that the Atlantic Hurricane Season will be above normal this year and those in hurricane-prone regions should begin preparation plans now," explains William McGuire, president and CEO of New York-based Global Security Associates, LLC. Global will be working with clients throughout the U.S. to review current business contingency plans as well as assisting in new strategies for businesses in crisis. Companies need to ask themselves if the plan in place will allow them to remain in business in the wake of a disaster.

Are certain industries more vulnerable to costly contingency efforts than others? Yes, according to Global they are and new ways to prevent businesses from suffering setbacks as a result of a natural or man-made disaster are always being refined. Companies can help themselves as well by knowing this in advance will help lessen the pain during the aftermath of a disaster and during rebuilding efforts. Knowing what a disaster can do before it strikes will make your business stronger and more viable. Planning for this is also a great asset to the future business growth. After all, if your company is located in an area that could suffer a serious setback or risk its business livelihood altogether, start planning now.

One particular area that has unique needs in the event of a disaster is the health care industry. There are many scenarios to consider in the health care setting according to McGuire, professionals are very familiar with the details involved with keeping a network of health care facilities open when a natural or man made disaster strikes. During the devastating hurricane season of 2005, the company was retained to plan and carry out the emergency contingency plans for a network of hospitals and health care facilities in the Gulf Coast region. It was a very successful mission during a time when other facilities, with little to no planning where making news for things gone terribly wrong, while Global's clients remained operational. This success can be attributed to early planning, detailed preparation and rapid deployment of support personnel.

In any major disaster, hospitals and other health care related facilities become a point of focus as human nature is to migrate to a location where care and attention is provided. "There is a sudden surge in demand and influx of people that can over-strain the facility rendering it incapable of providing critical services during emergencies. This inability to assist people can result in tensions and ultimately impact the safety and well-being of personnel," explains Victor Anderes, vice president of special operations.

The utility industry is equally impacted. With a loss of basic utility services, persons in need will seek to take matters into their own hands and become aggressive in demanding services in order to restore their living conditions -- water and electricity providers should be prepared to deal with this. Even gas stations become key focus points as the need to operate generators, vehicles and other equipment becomes more crucial in the absence of electricity and gas.

While businesses typically have a plan for everyday operations, part of their contingency plans include utilizing their own local in-house or sub-contracted security personnel to provide protection. If a major disaster strikes, these personnel from the local community are impacted on a personal level and their priority is to take care of their families and homes. This results in businesses being unprotected due to lack of personnel being available. It is therefore prudent that contingency plans include bringing in security personnel from remote, unaffected locations.

The preparation for, and response to, a disaster, can determine the future of a company or organization. The failure of an organization due to its inability to respond to an undesired event can have dire consequences for the company and ultimately the livelihood of its employees and thereby the local community. Preparation is crucial and provides peace of mind in addition to future stability. To determine the extent of preparation required, the company leadership need only ask themselves the question: "How many days will my company survive if we are unable to conduct business?"

About Global Security Associates:

Global Security Associates, LLC, (GSA) is among the world's leading security firms. National and international airlines, with locations throughout the world, depend on Global for providing daily security operations, on-going security design protocols, updates and training. GSA has also been a major security supplier to government agencies, Fortune 500 companies and international clients at locations in Europe, the Caribbean, North & Central Africa, South Africa, South America, Mexico, Asia and the Middle East including Saudi Arabia, Syria, Lebanon and Jordan.

William McGuire, President and CEO of the company, has spent nearly two decades in the security industry. McGuire is a member of the American Society of Industrial Security (ASIS), the National Cargo Security Council (NCSC), the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the International Association for Counter-terrorism & Security Professionals.

Victor Anderes, Vice President of Special Operations for the company is responsible for development and implementation of large scale projects across a broad spectrum of operational areas. Mr. Anderes also heads the Training and Quality Assurance Division of GSA where he is responsible for all training and emergency response planning services.

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