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Public Service
Preparedness, LLC is committed to public service and has contributed to the community and profession. Our CEO, Donald L. Schmidt, has served in voluntary capacity on numerous committees and task groups developing standards for preparedness. He has lectured to numerous groups and worked with and testified before lawmakers to promote preparedness based on national, consensus-based standards.
National Preparedness Standard
Mr. Schmidt has worked since 1994 on the development of
NFPA 1600, "Standard on Disaster/Emergency Management and Business
Continuity Programs," recognized as the U.S. National Preparedness
Standard. NFPA 1600 was endorsed by the 9/11 Commission and recognized
in Section 7305 of the National Intelligence Reform Act of 2004.
On April 1, 2007 Mr. Schmidt was appointed Chair of the technical committee responsible for development of the standard. Most recently he completed editing "Implementing NFPA 1600, National Preparedness Standard," which has been published by the National Fire Protection Association.
Voluntary Private Sector Preparedness Certification Program
Title IX of Public Law 110-53 calls for the creation of a voluntary private sector preparedness certification program. In accordance with the law, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has selected the ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board to accredit the certifying bodies who will certify the preparedness programs of private sector entities. Don Schmidt served on ANAB's "Committee of Experts" providing input on the Accreditation Rule 37, which defines the requirements for certifying bodies and their auditors who will evaluate private sector preparedness programs.
Standard Guide for School Emergency Preparedness
Mr. Schmidt has joined ASTM International's E-54.02 Working Group 8908, which is writing a standard guide for school emergency preparedness.
"The guide will cover concepts, principles and best practices for
all-hazards integrated emergency management programs in preparedness,
prevention, mitigation, response, and recovery for schools and school
districts in preparation and response to a natural, human-caused, and
technological hazards. The guide will also address the essential
elements of the scope, planning, structure, application and integration
of federal, state, local volunteer and non-governmental organizations
and resources necessary to facilitate interoperability and seamless
participation by response agencies both inside and outside the
school/district."
Framework for Voluntary Preparedness
Representing the National Fire Protection Association, and its
Technical Committee on Emergency Management and Business Continuity, Mr.
Schmidt has served on an interdisciplinary team of experts asked to
draft a briefing titled
"Framework
for Voluntary Preparedness." This group, supported by the Alfred P.
Sloan Foundation, was formed in response to the passage of Title IX of
Public Law 110-53, also known as H.R. 1 and the “Implementing
Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007.” The focus of this
legislation is the voluntary accreditation and certification of the
preparedness of private sector organizations.
Recommended Practice on Pre-Incident Planning
Mr. Schmidt has served since 1995 on the National Fire Protection Association's technical committee on pre-incident planning, which is responsible for "Recommended Practice on Pre-Incident Planning." The technical committee is currently rewriting the document into a standard.
Rhode Island Nightclub Fire
After the catastrophic "The Station" nightclub fire in Rhode Island (February 2003), Mr. Schmidt served on a state task force that developed recommendations to prevent another disaster. In this capacity he testified before a joint legislative committee charged with drafting new statutes.