FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Marcia Hope Goodwin 407-246-3107
Michael Reinemer, National League of Cities, 202-626-3003 or 703-966-9574

MAYOR DYER TO SPEAK ABOUT THE
BUSINESS DISASTER PREPAREDNESS PROGRAM
AT NATIONAL PRESS CLUB

ORLANDO, FL (September 8, 2003) – Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer will join city leaders from across the country at the National Press Club in Washington, DC, on September 10, 2003, to be recognized for Orlando’s efforts in the area of homeland security in the two years since the terrorist attacks of 9-11-01.

Mayor Dyer will be joined by City of Orlando Emergency Manager Manuel D. Soto in providing information on the Business Disaster Preparedness Program, a program in which the City of Orlando’s Office of Emergency Management, the Orlando Police Department and the Orlando Fire Department assist local businesses in developing comprehensive business disaster plans.

Elements of the program include:

• How to establish a business disaster planning team

• Development of Comprehensive Emergency Management Program (CEMP) for the business

• How to interface with the City during a disaster

• Employee notification

• Business continuity planning

In addition to Mayor Dyer, invited participants include:

• San Antonio Mayor Ed Garza with Assistant Fire Chief Mike Miller

• New Haven Mayor John DeStefano (NLC president) with Fire Chief Michael Grant and Police Chief Francis Ortiz

• Minnetonka, MN Mayor Karen Anderson (past president, NLC) with Police Lt. Lora Setter

• Campbell, CA Mayor Dan Furtado with Police Captain Russ Patterson

• Arlington, MA Selectman Charlie Lyons with Chief of Police Frederick Ryan

• Laurel, MD Mayor Craig Moe

Each of the city leaders will describe a program that was developed in response to the September 11 terrorist attacks.

The National League of Cities is the largest national organization for American cities and towns. NLC serves as a resource and advocate for 18,000 cities, towns and villages of all sizes.

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