Portsmouth emergency management urges businesses to join new Portsmouth Preparedness Partnership ahead of Aug. 15 workshop
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Summary
City emergency management staff presented a voluntary business preparedness program—Portsmouth Preparedness Partnership (P3)—that uses bronze/silver/gold tiers and a business Emergency Operations Center model. Staff requested the EDA endorse the program and promote an Aug. 15 workshop; no formal endorsement vote was recorded.
Portsmouth emergency management on Tuesday asked the Economic Development Authority to endorse a new nonregulatory business preparedness program called the Portsmouth Preparedness Partnership, or P3, and to encourage local businesses to attend a training workshop on Aug. 15.
The program, presented to the EDA by the city’s emergency management deputy coordinator (introduced in the meeting as Stan Latray), is built on three voluntary tiers: bronze (submit an emergency plan for city review), silver (add drills and exercises), and gold (signatory businesses join a business Emergency Operations Center). “If we have a prepared business sector, mom and dad can go back to work quicker,” Latray said, describing how business continuity supports community recovery after disasters.
Why it matters: the P3 is framed as a low-cost, locally led way to strengthen post-disaster recovery by preparing businesses that provide everyday services. Staff said the program emphasizes local coordination and use of local resources before escalating requests for regional or federal help.
Key details - Program tiers: bronze requires businesses to submit emergency plans to the city for feedback; silver adds regular drills such as the statewide tornado drill and the Great ShakeOut; gold invites businesses to join the business EOC and be first contacts for shared resources. - Workshop: staff invited businesses to an introductory workshop on Aug. 15 at the Police Auditorium that will include Ready.gov tools and a keynote from the National Weather Service focused on flood hazards—“the number one hazard for which we plan in Portsmouth,” Latray said. - Costs and city support: Latray told the EDA the office will review submitted plans and provide comments and connections but said, “There’s no additional fiscal requirement or resources available to help people get ready,” indicating the program is pitched as low- or no-cost assistance rather than a funded grant program.
Questions from EDA members and staff focused on program scope and responsibilities. One commissioner asked whether businesses would be expected to inventory and report their resources; staff replied that the city would accept submitted plans and try to help make connections but would not require businesses to buy new equipment. On drills, staff said the city can connect businesses to fire and law-enforcement partners to observe or advise on exercises.
Caveats and next steps - Staff asked the EDA to “endorse the P3 program, encourage our current business partners to participate and then to come participate in our August 15 workshop.” The transcript shows a request and discussion but records no formal motion, vote, or adoption of an endorsement during the meeting. - Staff said the gold tier is intended to build a roster of businesses the city can call on for specific capabilities after an incident; staff used a hypothetical “purple widget” to describe a business asset that could assist recovery.
Staff contact and outreach: Latray left contact information during the presentation and said the emergency management office will conduct outreach and follow up with businesses wishing help preparing plans.
Ending: The EDA did not take a formal vote on the P3 program during the meeting. Staff will hold the Aug. 15 workshop and continue outreach to recruit businesses into the voluntary program.
