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I recently interviewed James Lee Witt, director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) during the administration of President Bill Clinton. During his tenure, Clinton elevated FEMA to cabinet status, and Witt overturned FEMA's previously poor reputation. Witt is now president of James Lee Witt Associates, Washington, D.C., consulting on emergency and disaster preparedness to local and state governments. Witt also serves as CEO of the International Code Council, which sets international standards for building construction. This March, GlobalOptions Group, a provider of domestic and international risk management services, acquired James Lee Witt Associates.
Q: Give Security Magazine readers your best advice on solid communications during a disaster.
A: You must have a backup plan and backup system in place. Great examples include "vendor on call" relationships. For example, mobile cellular phones and communication towers that can be moved into a disaster area immediately to restore lost communications and speed disaster recovery are vital.
Q: Preparation to better handle a crisis is important. What are your best strategies for preparation?
A: We have been working with very proactive groups, the governors of the western states, for example, to inventory and assess all of the available resources in the area. Most disaster planning focuses on "our resources" and that is a mistake. It is important to recognize "what's missing" and look outside your domain (organization, city, state) while planning. Having contingency plans in place and knowing where to find needed resources when your own resources are not available are critical for preparation.
Q: How best should enterprise security executives approach the involvement of their CEOs...