Update

Cost Effective Security in Tough Economic Times

Examining the "Cost" of Security

With the country in the midst of a lingering recession many Jewish organizations across the country, facing shrinking endowments and declines in fundraising, have been forced to layoff staff, eliminate programs, and review and trim budgets to sustain viable operations and continue to deliver much needed social services and support to local agencies, organizations and individuals. While the economic downturn has forced many of us to make drastic staff, budget, and program cuts, SCN encourages organizations to be prudent and exercise care when trimming costs related to safety & security.

Security is a necessary cost of doing business, safely and responsibly. While security doesn’t need to bust the budget or break the bank, security should not be viewed as a commodity or expendable line item when reviewing and streamlining budgets. Organizations should avoid at all cost, budget cuts that could potentially increase organizational risk. Budget cuts that ultimately create additional risk and exposure could potentially be more costly and devastating to the bottom line and worse yet, impact the safety and security of organizational staff, visitors, and guests.  Read entire article...

Table Top Exercises:   Testing Your Emergency Plans

Many agencies, institutions and organizations have invested heavily in security planning, all-hazards preparedness, and business continuity planning.  However, such plans are not complete until they are tested. Expert consensus indicates that the best way to prepare for the worst is by simulating and practicing what the plans call for - which is why the use of table top exercises is on the rise.  A table top exercise is a facilitated activity that places participants in a simulated situation requiring them to function in the capacity required for responding to a real-world event. Table top exercises are scenario-based simulations and provide a non-threatening way to work through and discuss all of the considerations of managing an incident. Tabletops raise the level of awareness as to the actual state of preparedness without the cost and disruption of a full scale live exercise while empowering all participants to become informed, active contributors to the safety, security, and resiliency of their organization.  To access more information on table top exercises, view the attached presentation or download the informational article. 

Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Training

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help. To find out more about CERT training in your area, please go to the State Directory page of the CERT website.

For crisis or emergency situations please call your local law enforcement. To reach SCN after normal business hours or to report an incident please call: 1-877-265-3337.  Please direct all other inquiries via email to Scandesk@scnus.org or call 212-284-6940