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SCC to school businesses in emergency preparedness
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Posted on Sep 04 2008
The Saipan Chamber of Commerce is gearing up for a workshop aimed at preparing local businesses for potential emergencies in the spirit of CNMI Disaster Preparedness Month.
The workshop—to be held at the Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe today—will include talks on key issues like business insurance and safeguarding computers in an emergency, among others.
“This is a great way to get your businesses in line to help get them back online in the event of a disaster,” said Chamber president James Arenovski.
The workshop comes after Gov. Benigno Fitial on Aug. 29 proclaimed September as CNMI Disaster Preparedness Month, mirroring the national Emergency Preparedness Month marked each year in the United States.
“Disasters severely affecting vulnerable communities continue throughout the world,” Fitial said in his proclamation. “And as the earth becomes more populated, these disasters affect increasing numbers of people. Located in a “typhoon alley,” the CNMI has been particularly vulnerable to the devastation of typhoons and floods.”
In an interview, consultant Ken Shankweiler, who is speaking at the workshop, said the event marks the kickoff of a larger effort to lay the groundwork for a “public-private partnership” between the business community and the government to prepare the CNMI for potential disasters.
“Businesses need to be more involved in preparedness planning,” Shankweiler said, adding the effort will help to identify resources in the private sector that the community can use when responding to emergencies.
The event will begin at 10am and continue until noon.
