ALEXANDRIA, Va. - The Security Industry Association has released the following statement concerning the situation in Japan:

The Board members and staff of the Security Industry Association express their deepest concern for those affected by the recent events in Japan.

Like the rest of the world, we have watched in horror as the earthquake and tsunami claimed thousands of lives, in fear as a potential nuclear accident threatened to take many more and in awe as countless people became heroes, risking their own well-being that others may live. From the average person offering a stranger food, water or shelter to the search and rescue teams pulling survivors from the water and the rubble to the power plant workers braving high levels of radiation to prevent an atomic disaster, the worst of times has brought out the best of men and women.

Many of SIA’s members have operations in Japan, and our thoughts are with those companies’ employees and their families as they confront difficulties beyond our comprehension.

As Japan works to rebuild, SIA is supporting the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Business Civic Leadership Center as it directs relief efforts from American businesses. In particular, SIA wishes to highlight the center’s three tips for “do no harm” assistance:

·         Allow first responders to do their job: Do not send unrequested materials or people that would only get in the way.

·         Work only with credible humanitarian organizations: The center provides guidance through its Disaster Help Desk for Businesses.

·         Distinguish between a pledge and a donation: Recovery is a long-term project, and pledging now to donate later will help to sustain the process when the rush of donations that immediately follows a disaster has ended.

The people of Japan have already shown remarkable resilience these past few weeks. As we marvel at their strength and mourn for their losses, we at SIA will continue to look for ways to help them to move on.

The Security Industry Association (www.siaonline.org) is the leading trade group for businesses in the electronic and physical security market. SIA protects and advances its members’ interests by advocating pro-industry policies and legislation on Capitol Hill and throughout the 50 states; producing cutting-edge global market research; creating open industry standards that enable integration; advancing industry professionalism through education and training; opening global market opportunities; and providing sole sponsorship of the ISC Expos, the world’s largest security trade shows and conferences.

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Contact:
Ron Hawkins
Security Industry Association
(703) 647-8485
rhawkins@siaonline.org