CORPORATE EMERGENCY ACCESS SYSTEM (CEAS) BRIEFING

Businesses cite access to the workplace as their number one survival issue following a disaster.  Employees are typically locked out of their work sites for extended periods following major emergencies, which impacts productivity and revenue. 

After September 11, many businesses suffered economic losses due to restricted access to undamaged areas.  In response, OEM and NYPD expended considerable resources to devise an ad-hoc credential system that took five days to implement, lacked basic security functionality and suffered from inconsistent enforcement.

The Corporate Emergency Access System (CEAS) was developed to address these shortcomings.  New York City will be the first major U.S. city to offer such a program.

What is the Corporate Emergency Access System?

Setting New York City apart from many other major metropolitan areas, the Corporate Emergency Access System (CEAS) reflects a proactive approach to ensuring the City maintains its economic strength in the wake of business disruption.  CEAS -- a joint venture between OEM and not-for-profit Business Network of Emergency Resources (BNET) -- helps business owners mitigate damage and financial losses resulting from an unforeseen emergency or catastrophe.

The Details:

·        CEAS identifies select credential holders as "essential" employees - roughly 10 percent for the largest employers.

·        Once activated, the system allows employer-designated credential holders to access restricted areas following an emergency. 

·        CEAS participants work to sustain core business functions and meet regulatory obligations for the business until "normal" conditions resume.

·        Company participation is self-administered by the individual firm.

·        CEAS will be tested in Manhattan's financial district south of Chambers Street and the system will be expanded to the rest of the City within 18 months.

·        Business Network of Emergency Resources (BNET), a not-for-profit corporation representing the interests of the corporate community at large, administers the technical systems that support CEAS.  Thus, there is no financial cost to the City to implement this program.

·        BNET and the New York City Law Department have agreed on a Memorandum of Understanding including indemnification provisions and a MOU was signed in December 2003.

CEAS designates several entry levels to meet the needs of various situations:

·        ENTRY X:  All Access Prohibited

·        ENTRY D:  Direct Mitigation Involvement Only

All employees of companies, in conjunction with government authorities, who are directly involved in alleviating the effects of the emergency.

·        ENTRY C:  Critical Industries

o       Banking and Financial Services

o       Food Distribution

o       Public Power/Gas and Telecommunication

o       Department of Defense Contractors (as verified by DOD)

o       News Media

o       Fuel Distribution

o       Hotel (Convention/Tourism)

·        ENTRY B:  Basic Functions, All Companies

In addition to Entry D employees, essential employees of all companies with credentials will be permitted entry.

·        ENTRY A:  All Permitted/Vehicular Limitations