[emergency] ANSI Forms Homeland Security Standards Panel // Standardsfor State and Local Preparedness

[Karl.Kotalik@nc4.us]

Allen, Rick et al.

In doing research on additional technical
standards in the emergency management space, I came across this recent
news release from ANSI and the attached Congressional Report.  While
this information relates primarily to non-technical, macro-level standards,
I thought that it would be worthwhile distributing it to the TC group.
 At some point, a liaison with this ANSI panel could be beneficial
to our mission.  Perhaps this could occur via existing OASIS relationships
such as NIST.


Karl Kotalik
NC4, A Division of Candle Corporation
310-727-4627
www.nc4.us

 
Homeland Security: Standards for State and Local Preparedness.  
Congressional Research Service, January 2, 2003
 
 
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Copyright 2003 PR Newswire Association, Inc.
                                   PR Newswire
                            February 6, 2003, Thursday
 
HEADLINE: ANSI Forms Homeland Security Standards Panel as Coordination Body for  Private and Public Sectors
 
DATELINE: NEW YORK, Feb. 6
 
   The American National Standards Institute (ANSI), a private non-profit  organization that administers and coordinates the U.S. voluntary standardization  and conformity assessment systems, has announced the establishment of the  Homeland Security Standards Panel (HSSP), a cross-sectoral coordinating body for  the development and enhancement of Homeland Security and emergency preparedness  standards.
 
    ANSI established the HSSP in direct response to needs identified in the  January 2, 2003, Report for Congress titled Homeland Security: Standards for  State and Local Preparedness.  
 
"Neither the federal government, nor the  nongovernmental sector presently has a comprehensive, consolidated program for  developing new preparedness standards," the report states. Formation of the  Panel also supports the March 1, 2003, transfer of twenty-two federal agencies  to the new Department of Homeland Security.
 
    The HSSP will promote a positive, cooperative partnership between the public  and private sectors.  Its initial tasks will be to catalog, promote, accelerate  and coordinate the development of standards in Homeland Security areas including  transportation, biometrics, cyber security, and interoperability of  emergency-response equipment.  The HSSP will also identify and communicate to  governmental units the existence of current standards that can meet urgent  needs.
 
    "ANSI is uniquely positioned to address the urgent national priorities in  homeland security by facilitating the standardization efforts of the public and  private sectors," said Dr. Arden L. Bement Jr., director of the Commerce  Department's National Institute of Standards and Technology. "ANSI is the  logical source in the private sector to undertake this important initiative,  which complements NIST's role to coordinate Federal activities in voluntary  standards.  NIST is pleased to have been asked to provide the co-chair for this  very important panel."
 
    "This is not the first time that we have responded to calls from the  government and industry when coordination challenges have presented themselves,"  added Dr. George Arnold, chairman of the ANSI Board of Directors. "The HSSP is  the latest example of the value that the Institute provides on behalf of the  nation."
 
    Membership in the HSSP will include representatives of industry, government,  professional societies, trade associations, standards developers, and consortia  groups directly involved in U.S. homeland security standardization.
 
    ANSI's mission is to enhance U.S. global competitiveness and the American  quality of life by promoting, facilitating, and safeguarding the integrity of  the voluntary standardization system.  ANSI is the official U.S. representative  to the International Accreditation Forum (IAF), the International Organization  for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission  (IEC), via the U.S. National Committee.  The organization has offices in  Washington, DC and New York City.
 
   SOURCE The American National Standards Institute
 
CONTACT: Stacy Leistner, +1-212-642-4931, or Stephanie Carroll, Marketing and  Public Relations Assistant, +1-212-642-4890, or fax, +1-212-398-0023, or  scarroll@ansi.org both of American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
 
URL: http://www.prnewswire.com
 
LOAD-DATE: February 7, 2003
 

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