Firestorm

WILLIAM SPERNOW

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 11:51:29 GMT

Mr. Spernow is currently a consultant in the Atlanta area specializing in information security projects, incident response events and litigation support. He is the former Director of Information Security, Investigations and Incident Response for Experian, the worlds largest consumer reporting agency. In this position he was tasked with protecting the privacy and security of over 200 million credit reports that are Internet accessible. Prior to Experian, Mr. Spernow was an e-discovery and forensic litigation expert with LECGs Digital Evidence Solutions Group. In his capacity as an LECG Affiliate he was responsible for managing large scale civil discovery and litigation projects for LECGs Fortune 100 clients. He is the former Chief Information Security Officer for the Georgia Student Finance Commission and was recruited to revamp the security of this State Agency after it had experienced a significant security breach. His efforts resulted in an agency now described by prominent...

AL KIRKPATRICK CISM, CISSP

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 14:12:13 GMT

Al Kirkpatrick is vice president and chief information risk officer for The First American Corporation. In this role, Kirkpatrick is responsible for ensuring that First American’s 250 subsidiaries, including its significant international holdings, maintain appropriate information risk management programs. In addition to overseeing the office that enacts information risk policy and compliance standards on behalf of the First American board of directors, Kirkpatrick also supports the corporation’s global subsidiaries and customers regarding risks related to international operations.

Prior to joining First American, Kirkpatrick held chief information security officer positions at two large, technologically advanced corporations. He has also held various technology management positions, including the management of fossil and nuclear power plant information systems for the nation’s largest investor-owned utility company.

In addition to holding a bachelor’s degree in computer science, Kirkpatrick has earned several certification credentials, including the Certified Information Security Manager, Certified Information Systems Security Professional and Nuclear Quality Assurance Auditing designations. He is acknowledged as a thought leader regarding risk management and a regular speaker at domestic and international conferences. His new book, Risk Management Across the Globe© is scheduled for publication Fall, 2008.

About First American

The First American Corporation (NYSE: FAF) is a FORTUNE 500® company that traces its history to 1889. With revenues of approximately $8.2 billion in 2007, it is America’s largest provider of business information. The First American Family of Companies, many of which command leading market share positions in their respective industries, operate within five primary business segments, including: Title Insurance and Services, Specialty Insurance, Information and Outsourcing Solutions, Data and Analytic Solutions, and Risk Mitigation and Business Solutions. <<

R. HUTCHINS HODGSON JR.

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 14:10:48 GMT

Hutch Hodgson was born in Atlanta Georgia, March 10, 1939, attended 13 different schools while moving with his family throughout the United States, and graduated with a degree in Economics from Kenyon College in 1961. He accepted a position in a new executive training program with the Coca-Cola Company and was moved to Canada for two years of intensive training. Upon completion of this training program in 1963, he and his family spent three years based in Johannesburg South Africa where he worked with the company owned bottling plant and eventually the bottlers south of the Sahara in Africa. Traveling a great deal when Apartheid was at its’ height, and tribal unrest was prevalent throughout Africa, the security of his family was paramount, as was the security of the Coca-Cola Bottlers and their factories. After returning to the U.S. in 1966 to enter the MBA program at the Harvard Business School, he rejoined The Coca-Cola Company in 1968 and was moved to London with marketing...

Frequently Asked Questions

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 15:26:38 GMT

Are Firestorm’s plans custom made to each business? Yes. Our analysis is focused on the vulnerabilities and exposures within your company. A fill in the blank canned program will be placed on the shelf and never used, or possibly forgotten in a crisis. Do you test your plans with client companies, once you¹ve completed an assessment? Absolutely. The success of any emergency plan depends on routine testing, audits and updates. Practicing emergency response helps assure that you and your staff can proceed predictably in an actual emergency. Test exercises also diagnose any problems or weaknesses in the plan so that it can be amended. With testing and audits, management can assess how comfortable and competent the employees are in performing emergency response functions and duties. Organizations should rehearse their emergency response plans the same way they stage fire drills and complete IT backups. What are the chances a company will ever need the kind of services you...

FIRM SAYS SCHOOLS LACK MEASURES TO PROTECT KIDS

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 13:18:44 GMT

Article published Jul 18, 2008 NASHUA TELEGRAPH Telegraph Staff NASHUA – A student in a portable classroom at a middle school could be kidnapped while walking to the main building. If a gunman walked into one of the high schools, there is no procedure in place for a lockdown of the building. Someone who wants to harm children could stroll into one of the citys elementary schools and enter the cafeteria, which is just steps away from the main entrance and filled with hundreds of students. Representatives from W.L. Bliss, a security-consulting firm, laid out some of these nightmare scenarios to the school board Wednesday night. After conducting an analysis of security and access to the citys schools, William Bliss, president of W.L. Bliss, and John Enright, a former U.S. Secret Service agent, said these scenarios are far too plausible. The citys schools are in an extremely vulnerable situation regarding the ability . . . to protect their populations from trespass of...

EXPERT COUNCIL IN THE NEWS

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 13:17:09 GMT

NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO How to Save Your Life Russel L. Honoré, LTG USA (Retired) Host Dr. Philip Stieg hosts a discussion on planning for natural disasters and other emergencies with Russel L. Honoré, LTG USA (Retired) who was commander of Joint Task Force Katrina responsible for coordinating military relief efforts for hurricane Katrina. Lt. General Honore talks about what we should be doing to prepare for disasters as individuals and at the local, state and federal levels. Theyll talk about what weve learned from natural and man-made disasters around the world and the importance of focusing on preparedness. Air Date: 5/27/08 NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO How to Save Your Life Dr. C. Everett Koop, M.D., Sc.D. Host Dr. Philip Stieg is joined by former U.S. Surgeon General C. Everett Koop. Dr. Koop talks about the major health problems facing the country including obesity and smoking. He also talks about his Shape Up America! initiative which works to...

JOHN J. ENRIGHT

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 13:07:57 GMT

John Enright has had a distinguished 31 year career in federal law enforcement. The majority of Johns career was spent with the United States Secret Service, retiring in 2002 as a field office Agent-in-Charge. Previous to this assignment, John served in a number of leadership positions in Washington, DC including five years on the Presidential Protective Division at the White House during the administrations of President Bush 41 and President Clinton. John also served at Secret Service Headquarters, including the Secret Services Intelligence Division. John served in both investigative and protective assignments during his career, providing him with a unique blend of expertise in both disciplines. During the latter part of his career, John developed an expertise in school security issues, working frequently with the Secret Services National Threat Assessment Center and their widely acclaimed study on Targeted Violence in Schools. Upon his retirement, John was appointed to the...

MICHAEL W. WEWERS

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 12:38:45 GMT

Michael W. Wewers began his law enforcement career in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he grew up, first as a patrolman and then working his way up to detective in the Vice Squad. After five years in the police force, Michael moved to Chicago, Illinois, then employed as an Inspector with I.R.S. Inspections Services, then on to Miami, Florida, where he served as a patrol officer and as a Special Agent with the United States Customs Service for 22 years. Several of his assignments involved various commands, including Chief of the Air Support Branch at Homestead Air Force Base, Acting District Director in Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, and a senior investigator with the Vice President’s Task Force (Bush 41). During this assignment he received the Vice President’s Award for his participation in helping to stem drug smuggling emanating from the Caribbean, Mexico and South America. Michael is most proud of the programs he wrote for the Customs Service, including Operation Boomer Falcon,...

Expert Council Members

Wed, 30 Jul 2008 14:24:15 GMT

Rosemary C. Baggish, M.Ed., MPH Special Education, Public Health Administration Geoffrey Berlin, Ph.D. Fire Safety, Risk Assessment, Decision Support S. David Bernstein, Psy. Clinical Forensic Psychologist Peter H. Bickford Insurance/Reinsurance Counselor and Arbitrator James E. (Jim) Blair Risk management, Governance and Compliance Robert E. Boyle Former Executive Director, Port Authority of New York Stephen F. Browne, Ph.D. Strategic technological planning for local, state and federal emergency communications Wallace Buran Strategic Planning, Supply Chain Transformation Joni S. Charme National Security Attorney, Disaster Preparedness and Response Advisor Robert Cox, M.D. Infectious disease, professional speaker on subject Tony L....

Expert Council

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 13:51:40 GMT

The Firestorm Expert Council™ is an advisory group made up of specialists from various disciplines, professions and industries. The Expert Council is designed to bring subject matter knowledge and expertise to Firestorm and its clients. The members of the Expert Council lend credibility and skills to the work which Firestorm performs, both through their direct involvement and the weight of their reputations.

Firestorm's team of experts, each providing an independent perspective, will produce faster, more accurate results. Firestorm's methodology and Council members generate unique insights and assist our clients in developing the best solutions to their complex problems.

The Expert Council also has an integral role in Firestorm’s “Trusted Advisor” program. Through its strategic relationships with major law firms, professional services companies, consultants, educational foundations and associations, Firestorm holds seminars, workshops, presentations, training sessions and other forums to promote a culture of preparedness. Expert Council members, selected on the basis of expertise, routinely appear with Firestorm principals and experts on topics related to continuity planning and disaster preparedness.

Strategic Relationships

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 13:49:57 GMT

Firestorm’s Trusted Advisor Project allows thought leaders and professional services counselors to join with our professional staff and Expert Council in promoting continuity planning and preparedness. Firestorm recognizes how clients often neglect strategic risk planning, adopting what the American Bar Association has termed an “ostrich approach” to disaster planning. Choosing to ignore vulnerabilities to possible crises, both natural and manmade, only deepens the potential for catastrophic outcomes. With the right planning, supported by enlightened business advisors, both clients and their advisors can profit regardless of unforeseen events and circumstances.

Our seminars, workshops, presentations, training sessions and other forums have greatly profited our Trusted Advisors as added-value opportunities. Please contact us for more information about how you and your clients can benefit from Firestorm’s Trusted Advisor programs and services.

Firestorm Solutions is proud to recognize those organizations that have collaborated with us in promoting a culture of preparedness:

Feature Event on Homepage

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 14:52:55 GMT

Harry Rhulen, Firestorm CEO presented at the 104th Rocky Mountain Coal Mining Institute Convention and Annual Meeting held in Park City, Utah, on Sunday, June 29 through July 1, 2008

"Planning and Correctly Communicating the Unexpected Events," billed as "a necessary course for every employee....before it's needed" was well-attended and received. The presentation was sponsored by P & H MINEPRO SERVICES

View more Firestorm events>>

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 12:31:19 GMT

Predict. Plan. Perform. The Disaster Environment Second, Plan: Plans will not solve or even prevent a crisis. But, the right plan, individually tailored to your business or organization, will determine whether your company will survive the disaster. Everything is foreseeable. Anyone can be found accountable. If directors and officers neglect to prevent or mitigate foreseeable disasters, or fail to prepare for those that are not preventable, the business-judgment rule will not shield them. Disaster Due Diligence™ and sound governance demand that organizations develop, maintain, and test a comprehensive continuity of operations program. Shrewd competitive strategy demands the same planning. Why? Because organizations with business continuity plans are better prepared to survive a disaster if one occurs. Firestorm, with in-house and third party legal counsel, has worked with public and private companies to address corporate governance and...

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 12:27:05 GMT

Predict. Plan. Perform. In/Out/Across Analysis First, Predict: Identify your vulnerabilities. These include any event or exposure with the potential to damage your people, business or reputation. Using our proprietary Disaster Due Diligence™, Preaction Rating Index™ and In/Out/Across™ analyses, Firestorm identifies every possible exposure and vulnerability facing your organization. Quantifying the potential impact of these risks - before, during and following a disaster or crisis - allows us to structure the right business continuity plan for each of our clients. Firestorms scoping process and threat assessment analyzes in detail every potential threat from both natural and manmade disasters. Utilizing document and procedure reviews, questionnaires, surveys, personal interviews, and site assessment inspections of client locations, this process enables Firestorm to identify strategic opportunities to increase operational control and...

DONALD A. DONAHUE, JR., MBA

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 18:29:03 GMT

Mr. Donahue serves as the Executive Director of the National Security Health Policy Center. He comes to the Potomac Institute with a wealth of experience and a broad range of expertise in areas including healthcare operations, medical readiness, emergency preparedness and bioterrorism. With more than 27 years experience as a healthcare administrator in the military, government and private sectors, he is a recognized expert in medical and dental readiness and homeland security medical operations. Mr. Donahue applies an innovative approach to program development, operational analysis and marketing solutions. Mr. Donahue is a former Vice President for Department of Defense Programs with Comprehensive Health Services, a national workforce health management firm. Prior to that, he served as a Vice President with Jefferson Consulting Group in Washington, D.C. where he advised and assisted clients on a wide range of healthcare and policy issues, focusing on operations, information...

PAUL DESANCTIS, CBCP

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 18:25:49 GMT

Paul DeSanctis is a retired police lieutenant and certified business continuity professional, who lives and works as a consultant in southeastern Pennsylvania. During his career with the Philadelphia Police Department, he served at many disaster scenes and was eye-witness to the suffering and hardship that sudden and unexpected catastrophe can bring upon its victims. His last three years with the department were spent as commanding officer of the computer assisted dispatching unit responsible for the automated dispatching of all police vehicles to the scene of crime, accident, or other emergency. It was a job that left a permanent impression on him of the importance of emergency management and response preparedness. Upon retiring from the department, Paul entered the business world and took a position as a computer analyst in the financial services industry. He managed computer operations for a number of years at various companies and learned the necessity of having a good...

C. EVERETT KOOP, M.D., Sc.D.

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 16:08:11 GMT

Dr. C. Everett Koop was born in Brooklyn, on October 14, 1916, graduated from Dartmouth college in 1937 and received his MD degree from Cornell Medical College in 1941. After serving an internship at the Pennsylvania Hospital, he pursued postgraduate training at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Boston Childrens Hospital and the Graduate School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, from which he received the degree of Doctor of Science (Medicine) in 1947. After promotions up the academic ladder, he was named Professor of Pediatric Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania in 1959 and Professor of Pediatrics in 1971. He is presently the Elizabeth DeCamp McInerny Professor of Surgery at Dartmouth Medical School. A pediatric surgeon with an international reputation, Dr. Koop became Surgeon-in-Chief of Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia in 1948 and served in that capacity until he left academia in 1981. He was the founding Editor-in-chief of the...

JONATHAN RICHMOND, PH.D.

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 13:12:28 GMT

Dr. Richmond serves as a biosafety consultant to the World Health Organization and is CEO of Jonathan Richmond and Associates (www.bsafe.us), a biosafety consulting firm with a global clientele. He retired recently after 35 years of United States federal service, during which he served as a research virologist with the USDA, as a biosafety professional with the NIH, and as Director of the Office of Health and Safety at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta. A past president of the American Biological Safety Association, Dr. Richmond continues to serve as the Editor of ABSA's Anthology of Biosafety publications. He has authored numerous publications in the fields of virology, laboratory and animal biosafety, and laboratory design. He served as co-editor of the 3rd and 4th editions of the CDC/NIH's Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories, a contributing editor to the 5th edition, and was a contributor to the recent publication of the WHO's Laboratory Biosafety Manual, 3rd edition. <<

MARCIE ROTH

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 18:04:04 GMT

Marcie Roth is the National Spinal Cord Injury Associations (NSCIA) Executive Director and CEO. She assumed this role after serving as the Director of Advocacy and Public Policy for the National Council on Independent Living, and prior to that, as the Director of Governmental Affairs for TASH, an international disability rights organization. Ms. Roths background in advocacy, disability services, human and civil rights, grassroots organizing, coalition building and public policy work began in the early 1970s as a high school volunteer. She has been active as a local, state and national leader, and has been involved in senior management activities for several national and international non-profit advocacy organizations over the past twenty years, managing multiple projects and leading public policy initiatives simultaneously. After leading private sector response to the additional needs of survivors with disabilities during and after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and currently leading...

CAROLYN MEARS, Ph.D.

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 17:57:09 GMT

Carolyn L. Mears is affiliated faculty and guest lecturer at the College of Education of the University of Denver (DU). She serves on the Advisory Board of the Trauma Certification Program at DU's Graduate School of Social Work. As an educator and parent whose son was a student at Columbine High School at the time of the shootings, Carolyn conducted research into the impact of the tragedy on parents and families. Her dissertation, Experiences of Columbine Parents: Finding a Way to Tomorrow, received the Outstanding Qualitative Dissertation of the Year award from the American Educational Research Association in 2005. She has published numerous articles and presented to a variety of audiences in the U.S. and Australia, on such topics as trauma response and recovery, safe school environments, leadership in times of crisis, and organizational change. She is currently working on two textbooks, one on the impact of disaster on families, and the other on using interviews as gateways to understanding. <<