PPBI created an industry award to recognize
some of those who in a sports analogy would be “All Stars” or perhaps
an MVP. This award is called the “PPBI Best Practices Award.” This
article is meant to inform you about the justification, the mechanics
and the process we at PPBI use in recognizing and awarding this unique
perspective of how we all make a difference.
The first PPBI Best Practices Award was presented in 2002 and that ”Inaugural Award” as we called it was supported by our friends at Disaster Recovery Journal with enthusiasm. You see, we as industry have been slow to recognize excellence in how we do our jobs. To start that process PPBI deeded an award as follows: “In an effort to … build partnerships and bring all stakeholders together in the planning process, meeting their counterparts in the private and public domains; training together prior to an event; an award called the PPBI Best Practices Award has been created. This award may be given to an individual, a corporation, or a public entity, for their exemplary planning, practices, or response to a critical incident. They must have exhibited the positive aspects of partnerships that work... .” That is all we ask for in presenting this award; but now we will share with you who has been recognized for this award in the past.
That inaugural award was presented in 2002 to Dr. Richard Klasco for his response in the ER Trauma Unit during the Multiple Casualty Incident at Columbine High School in Littleton Colo.In 2005, Brent Woodworth and Dr. Tom Phelan were presented with the award as stewards for all those responding with the IBM Worldwide Crisis Response Team to the Southeast Asian Tsunami. In 2006 at the spring conference PPBI honored Brandon Bond who was deployed with a Disaster Medical Assistance Team following Hurricane Katrina. At the fall conference Rushdi Ariss and Ed Gabriel were recognized for the development of Incident Management procedures used throughout Disney properties. The latest award in 2009 recognized Brit Weber for his management of the Michigan State University’s Critical Incident Protocol Program. For each of these awards we have followed the nomination criteria, recognized each at the DRJ conference venues, posted pictures, updated the perpetual trophy, and prepared press briefings and follow up articles in the Disaster Recovery Journal.
At the 2010 Disaster Recovery Journal Spring World, PPBI presented this award to another worthy candidate, CEO and president of the Sahana Software Foundation, Mark Prutsalis of Brooklyn, N.Y.
Under Prutsalis’ leadership, a major collaborative effort was coordinated by the Sahana Software Foundation in response to the Haiti Earthquake. These efforts were initiated and a situation management support portal was activated within 48 hours of the earthquake. Collaborative functions of the systems being provided included: organization registry, tracking the location and operation of all responding relief organizations; translate and transfer text messages from trapped individuals directly to international search and rescue teams; provide support to hospitals and food distribution. All of these efforts have been accomplished through the aid, development and assistance of multiple collaborators.
PPBI applauds this practice and has recognized the Sahana Software Foundation as represented by Mark Prutsalis with the award. Sahana fulfills the deed of gift for this award and their spirit and passion for building and maintaining partnerships, especially in response to disaster are to be exemplified. Following this presentation Prutsalis spoke to the 1,100 conference attendees relating some of the specific issues and logistics of coordinating response to the physical devastation and humanitarian need created by the earthquake in Haiti.
If you would like to help PPBI with this endeavor or in others within our scope and mission including making “Partnerships That Work,” please contact us at mail@ppbi.org . Make a difference: build a partnership! www.ppbi.org.
Deidrich Towne, CBCP, has more than 39 years experience in information technology committed to infrastructure management, business continuity planning, disaster recovery and incident management in the areas of consulting, business process re-design, project management, project implementation, documentation, exercise design, execution and training. He has transitioned from a business and industry first responder role to assist clients in assessing, designing and implementing recovery solutions for their data centers, networks and mission critical business processes. In his role as the chairman of the board of directors at Private and Public Businesses, Inc. (PPBI), he leads the all volunteer efforts of an organization with the mission to develop and nurture partnerships in peacetime that will make a difference when issues disrupt normal operations.
