Resources ready for credit unions facing storms

Garry L. Parks, LtGen USMC (Ret.)
South Carolina Credit Union League

Those of you who participated in the Leadership Conference several weeks ago heard an informative and moving story of the impact of Hurricane Katrina on the credit unions of Louisiana. With Hurricane Hanna now bearing down on the southeastern coast, we must all orient our attention to the potential impact of this Atlantic storm. I want to remind you that myriad disaster preparedness assets remain available to assist you and your credit union.

In addition to your League staff, resources include the following:

CU Locate: the Credit Union National Emergency Information System provides credit union members with a toll-free number, 1-877-culocate (877-285-6228), to receive information about the status of a credit union affected by a crisis. More information at: http://strategicservices.cuna.org/download/setup_instructions.doc

R.E.S.C.U.: the Relief Effort and Support for Credit Unions is the credit union movement's effort to prepare for and respond to large-scale natural and man-made emergencies and business interruptions. This resource includes Adopt-A-Credit Union. More information at: http://www.cuna.org/initiatives/rescu/

In addition, CUNA Strategic Services offers disaster preparedness and recovery services through several alliance programs:

Agility Recovery Solutions can provide a mobile recovery unit fully equipped with power, communications, computer equipment, and many other amenities within 48 hours of a disaster occurrence. More information at: http://strategicservices.cuna.org/csa_agility.html

Strohl Systems offers PLANet®, the industry’s only Internet-based business continuity planning tool designed specifically to help credit unions meet NCUA and FFIEC regulations for business continuity and disaster recovery. More information at: http://strategicservices.cuna.org/csa_strohl.html

VoiceGard offers a comprehensive suite of services to restore telephone capabilities after a catastrophic system (PBX) failure or loss of facilities. More information at: http://strategicservices.cuna.org/csa_voicegard.html

With this reminder of available resources, please rest assured that your League staff remains ready to assist and support IN ANY WAY possible.

(Also, see the League and PCS Disaster Recovery Plan.)