New Jersey Business Force Initiatives

Asset Availability
The Business Response Network (BRN).  Private sector companies pledge
resources (e.g., trucks, warehouses) to New Jersey during a major disaster
based on pre-identified needs.

NJBF 2005 Action – The BRN became operational. NJ State Police OEM initiated a pilot program for use of the BRN during emergencies. In 2005, 23 NJBF members and 5 other organizations registered assets in the system under a 3 tiered plan.

NJBF 2006 Priority – Continue to deploy the BRN and expand its resource base by aggressively enrolling additional NJ private sector organizations. The principal private sector interface will be through the NJ State Infrastructure Advisory Council (IAC).

Business Volunteers
Private sector volunteers are identified, trained, empowered, and encouraged
as part of an overall community response to a terrorist event or other major
disaster. 

NJBF 2005 Action – Assisted NJBF member companies in developing CERTs (Community Emergency Response Teams) Identified other potential volunteer opportunities with NJ Department of Health & Senior Services (NJDHSS).

NJBF 2006 Priority – Work with NJ state agencies to increase the number of trained volunteers from the Private Sector available to support distribution of medications in the event of a bio-terror or pandemic event such as Avian Flu.

Exercises & Training
Exercise & training simulations require the integration and interaction of the
public and private sectors in testing response plans and formulating innovative
solutions to unique problems.

NJBF 2005 Action – Facilitated several tabletops and training exercises integrating private sector participation with NJOEM efforts. Conducted Topoff3 post event exercise and prepared a detailed after-action report that has received national recognition.

NJBF 2006 Priority – Facilitate the public-private partnership through the development of private sector and integrated exercise schedules. Work with NJIT to produce virtual, distributive exercises for simultaneous presentation at multiple venues.

Click here for exercise reports, presentations, and white papers from the New Jersey Business Force.

Homeland Security Medical Preparedness (SNS Support)
A partnership between Business Force members and the state Department of
Health & Senior Services (HSS) is needed to expedite community-wide
immunization or treatment in an outbreak or medical emergency by supplying
facilities and volunteers. 

NJBF 2005 Action – Re-evaluated original NJ private sector SNS support plans based on the analysis of TopOff3 and after-action reports, individual County Health Department plans, as well as Business Force experience in other regions.

NJBF 2006 Priority – Solidify the NJDHSS/NJBF partnership through the commitment of POD sites by NJBF members based on plans being developed for Pandemic Flu response by NJ State officials. Expand use of the BRN to register facilities & volunteers. Collaborate with NJDHSS, OEM & County Health Officials on first responder, business, and special needs populations.

Information Sharing
The bi-lateral sharing of timely, accurate, and actionable information between
the public and private sectors is critical to an effective homeland security
partnership.  Businesses benefit from the sharing of information, as do NJ state
agencies. 

NJBF 2005 Action – 1) Twenty-five NJBF members received pro bono access to NJBF member NC4's communication system, a real-time, two-way capability. NC4 has also been adopted by the NJ Office of Counter-terrorism (OCT) and NJOEM. 2) NJBF continued to support the NJN Public Television private channel DigitalSecure pilot and supported expansion funding initiatives.

NJBF 2006 Priority – 1) NJBF will continue to facilitate NC4 development and deployment among members. 2) NJBF will assist NJN in their funding and expansion efforts to provide training content and private sector access to high level OCT and NJOEM early-warning situational awareness alerts, bulletins, real-time briefings through the NJN DigitalSecure (datacasting) system.

Exercises & Training
Exercise & training simulations require the integration and interaction of the
public and private sectors in testing response plans and formulating innovative
solutions to unique problems.

NJBF 2005 Action – Facilitated several tabletops and training exercises integrating private sector participation with NJOEM efforts. Conducted Topoff3 post event exercise and prepared a detailed after-action report that has received national recognition.

NJBF 2006 Priority – Facilitate the public-private partnership through the development of private sector and integrated exercise schedules. Work with NJIT to produce virtual, distributive exercises for simultaneous presentation at multiple venues.

New Program Initiatives
Integrated planning efforts can better address the changing and evolving
nature of threats with the “fresh look” and acumen of business leaders. 

NJBF 2005 Action – 1) A major new member-generated initiative was established to provide early warning of bio-terror or Pandemic Flu outbreaks to NJ State Health officials using real-time member absentee data. 2) NJBF staff and members were frequent speakers and facilitators at large preparedness conferences such as the Emergency Preparedness Association and the All Hazards Forum.

NJBF 2006 Priority – While maintaining a central focus on response, NJBF will be sensitive to new initiatives that 1) respond to our Public Sector partners evolving requirements, 2) prevent terror events through information sharing, 3) foster increased mutual support between private sectors members, and 4) enhance NJBF membership value to participating companies.

What Does it Take to Be a NJBF Member?