What are BENS Regional Parnerships?

BENS  Regional Partnerships  are an innovative model for closing gaps in homeland security that neither government nor business can fill alone. Currently BENS  partnerships are mobilizing private sector support in four general categories:

• Assets: Regional Partnerships are creating  web databases of pledged business resources (warehouse or office space, trucks, equipment, skilled personnel, etc.) that can be called upon in a crisis  
• Volunteers:  Regional Partnership companies contribute volunteers and skilled management to assist state and local governments in the design, testing, and execution of plans to dispense vaccines and other medical supplies in the event of an outbreak;
• Information Sharing: Regional Partnerships facilitate information-sharing between government and the private sector regarding threats, preparedness, response capabilities, and risk assessment of critical infrastructure;
• Leadership and Strategic Support:  Regional Partnerships offer best business practices and civic leadership from some of the nation's top executives to help government improve homeland security capabilities.

Where are BENS Regional Partnerships operating?

BENS launched the first  partnership in New Jersey in early 2003, and followed with partnerships in Georgia and Kansas City during 2004. Massachusetts deployed an accelerated resource registry project prior to the 2004 Democratic National Convention. BENS also manages the Homeland Security Advisory Council (HSAC) in Los Angeles and Orange Counties and a San Francisco Bay Area partnership in California. The  Safeguard Iowa Partnership is a product of BENS’ collaboration with the Iowa Business Council, and the Colorado Emergency Preparedness Partnership (CEPP) represents BENS’ latest partnership, launched in early 2008. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has partially funded and encouraged BENS to expand regional partnerships using its Business Force model

Why do we need it?

Government cannot secure its homeland alone. Whether confronting the risks of terrorism or natural disaster, state and local governments face constant budgetary constraints. Meanwhile, many in the private sector who share security concerns don't know how to help.

BENS President and CEO Charles Boyd (right) met with Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff in December 2005 to brief him on the BENS Business Force.

BENS  Regional Partnerships provide the means for business and government to build an efficient, collaborative partnership that strengthens the region's capacity to prevent, prepare for, and respond to catastrophic events. Governors, state and local officials and leading corporations form a working partnership in each region - strengthening relationships at the regional level that transcend multiple levels of government, public and private sectors, and political boundaries.

Governments welcome the resources and capabilities the private sector brings to their homeland security challenges. Likewise, by pledging resources that can be mobilized during crisis, offering business expertise, and dedicating support to well-managed programs,  Regional Partnership member companies contribute to their communities in a cost-effective and highly-leveraged way. In addition,  these partnerships engender a deep sense of pride in employees for having contributed to a safer community.

Why BENS?

BENS is a national, non-partisan, non-profit organization comprised of more than 500 business executives committed to volunteering their time and talent to improve the nation's security. BENS has a 23-year track record of applying business skills and best practices to achieve measurable, demonstrable improvements in government practices.
BENS is led by retired Air Force General Chuck Boyd, formerly the Executive Director of the Hart-Rudman Commission. Sr. VP Lynne Kidder and VP David Guthrie direct the  Regional Partnership program. Experienced managers with backgrounds in business, government, and the military provide staff support to  the partnerships. 

BENS Regional Partnerships Criteria (download)

What they're saying about BENS Regional Partnerships (download)