Summary The Miami-Dade County Business Recovery Program (BRP) is a public-private collaboration designed to ensure private sector emergency preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation.  The BRP is open to any organization and currently is comprised of businesses, nonprofits, and educational institutions. Background The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) determined that there should be an Emergency Support Function (ESF) to help business and industry following a disaster event. In Miami-Dade County, it was decided to vigorously pursue this effort. The businesses that participate in the Miami-Dade Local Mitigation Strategy Working Group were asked to help get the process started and many agreed. The initial concept was to invite one or two business from each different segment of the business and industrial world. The first meeting of the ESF-18 Business Recovery Development Committee was held on February 28, 2007. Subsequently, other organizations have joined in to assist in developing and expanding the Business Recovery Program. Goals and Objectives * Developing symbiotic relationships where businesses benefit by being able to open their doors quickly after a disaster which in turn helps the rest of the community recover * Building a disaster resilient private sector * Facilitating the timely exchange of information and resources during both blue and grey skies * Creating and maintaining a perpetual network of private and public sector participants Description The Miami-Dade Business Recovery Program is a county led initiative with close support from Florida International University, who’s team is continually developing unique tools, including the Business Continuity Information Network (BCIN), to facilitate the development of the program and achievement of its goals. BCIN is a web-based service where public and private organizations can gather to share critical information and resources as well as support continuity efforts before, during and after a disaster. Originally the program was developed to assist businesses in recovering from a disaster but it is undergoing an expansion of target to include any organization in Miami-Dade County in order to focus on overall community economic resiliency. The BRP has grown to include an expanding list of large and small organizations representing a vast number of segments of the community. Because disasters and their impacts do not stop at political boundaries, we are also working with other local county public-private partnerships to examine opportunities for regional collaboration. The BRP recently developed a list of priority initiatives that it would like to address. Members then self-appoint to subcommittees to study, analyze and develop solutions or best practices for one of these key initiatives. The BRP meets regularly to discuss objectives, priorities and initiatives. Additionally, regular emails are sent to all members with information related to business and economic resiliency as well as grant and assistance opportunities. A seat in the Miami-Dade County Emergency Operations Center is dedicated to the Business Recovery Program and is staffed by a trained member of the program. This allows the business community to quickly and directly access reliable situational awareness information that can impact their decision making. In turn, businesses can supply operational information with the county and other businesses in order to effectively and efficiently share and utilize resources to help the community recover faster. Requirements for Success In order for a program like this to succeed, you need to have member organizations representing diverse segments of the community who take an active role in driving the group towards achieving its goals. It is not enough to have one leading entity or to meet only during or after times of disaster but to have organizations who are actively engaged throughout the year. It is important that these organizations make use of the available network by having regular and timely communications on subjects relating to all phases of emergency management. It is also important that programs have clearly defined goals and that current and potential members understand the full range of benefits of participation. Resources Miami-Dade County has the following resources available through its partnership- A seat in the Emergency Operations Center; resources to help prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters; web resources; tools and templates; and Business Continuity Information Network. Training and Exercises Miami-Dade County hosts and participates in joint training and exercises with the public and private sector. The Miami-Dade Business Recovery Program hosts and participates in a myriad of trainings and exercises involving the public and private sectors. For instance, the BRP through its exercise subcommittee develops and administers its own annual tabletop exercise aimed at testing members’ procedures and capabilities in order to identify areas of improvement. Communication Tools Miami-Dade County uses the following methods of communication—email alerts; text message; in-person meetings; conferences and other events; and website. Links http://www.miamidade.gov/oem/business_recovery.asp http://www.bizrecovery.org/ Contact Information Paul Vitro Emergency Management Coordinator Miami-Dade Department of Emergency Management Paul.Vitro@miamidade.gov 305-468-5423 DISCLAIMER FEMA’s Private Sector Division of the Office of External Affairs facilitates information sharing and good practices for developing effective public-private partnerships. This Web site and its contents are provided for informational purposes only, without warranty or guarantee of any kind, and do not represent the official positions of the US Department of Homeland Security. For more information on the Private Sector Division, please email FEMA-privatesector@dhs.gov or visit www.FEMA.gov/privatesector Big City Partnership-Miami-Dade County