Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 118.djvu/3878

 118 STAT. 3848 PUBLIC LAW 108–458—DEC. 17, 2004 (4) such other criteria reflecting a community’s risk and vulnerability as the Secretary determines is appropriate. (d) INTERAGENCY ASSISTANCE.—The Secretary of Homeland Security shall consult with the Secretary of Defense as necessary for the development of the pilot projects required by this section, including examining relevant standards, equipment, and protocols in order to improve interagency communication among first responders. (e) REPORTS TO CONGRESS.—The Secretary of Homeland Secu- rity shall submit to Congress— (1) an interim report regarding the progress of the inter- agency communications pilot projects required by this section 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act; and (2) a final report 18 months after that date of enactment. (f) FUNDING.—There are authorized to be made available to the Secretary of Homeland Security, such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section. SEC. 7305. PRIVATE SECTOR PREPAREDNESS. (a) FINDINGS.—Consistent with the report of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States, Congress makes the following findings: (1) Private sector organizations own 85 percent of the Nation’s critical infrastructure and employ the vast majority of the Nation’s workers. (2) Preparedness in the private sector and public sector for rescue, restart and recovery of operations should include, as appropriate— (A) a plan for evacuation; (B) adequate communications capabilities; and (C) a plan for continuity of operations. (3) The American National Standards Institute rec- ommends a voluntary national preparedness standard for the private sector based on the existing American National Standard on Disaster/Emergency Management and Business Continuity Programs (NFPA 1600), with appropriate modifica- tions. This standard establishes a common set of criteria and terminology for preparedness, disaster management, emergency management, and business continuity programs. (4) The mandate of the Department of Homeland Security extends to working with the private sector, as well as govern- ment entities. (b) SENSE OF CONGRESS ON PRIVATE SECTOR PREPAREDNESS.— It is the sense of Congress that the Secretary of Homeland Security should promote, where appropriate, the adoption of voluntary national preparedness standards such as the private sector preparedness standard developed by the American National Stand- ards Institute and based on the National Fire Protection Association 1600 Standard on Disaster/Emergency Management and Business Continuity Programs. SEC. 7306. CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND READINESS ASSESS- MENTS. (a) FINDINGS.—Congress makes the following findings: (1) Under section 201 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C 121), the Department of Homeland Security, through the Under Secretary for Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection, has the responsibility— VerDate 11-MAY-2000 13:54 Nov 10, 2005 Jkt 029194 PO 00000 Frm 00382 Fmt 6580 Sfmt 6581 C:\STATUTES\2004\29194PT4.001 APPS10 PsN: 29194PT4

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