Emily L Walker - 9-11 Commission

9/11 Commission Hearing held in NYC in May 2004. Emily passionately defended the establishment of National Standards for Private Sector Preparedness.	Home \| Banking \| WFP \| 9/11 \| Recent


	Involvement with 9/11 Commission

NATIONAL COMMISSION ON TERRORIST ATTACKS UPON THE UNITED STATES

(9-11 COMMISSION) April 2003 - June 2004

New York, NY and Washington, DC

Professional Staff Member and Family Liaison

Emily Walker was selected to serve as a staff member of the New York Team of the National Commission On Terrorist Attacks Upon The United States (9-11 Commission). The New York Team was led by former New Jersey Attorney General John Farmer. Emily designed the workplan for the Commission’s investigation into the private sector response during 9-11, including the story of the closing and re-opening of the NY Stock Exchange. She developed the agenda, content, and selected speakers for the November 2003 hearing on Private Sector Preparedness at Drew University. Emily created, organized and instigated the Commission’s recommendation for a "National Standard for Emergency Preparedness" (NFPA 1600) and lobbied for the insertion of this standard in the US Department of Homeland Security’s Ready.Gov business campaign as well as in the December 2004 Intelligence Legislation passed by the US Congress. Emily is the recipient of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) 2004 "Chairman’s Award" for her work on the National Preparedness Standard. Emily continues to be involved in the topic of Emergency Preparedness.

1. Detailed Job Description

2. Final Report of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States

Emily Walker did the research and interviews for the sections of Chapter 9: Heroism and Horror related to the private sector evacuation and response to the crisis.

Emily Walker worked with William Raisch, a volunteer on the 9-11 Commission and currently Director of the NYU International Center for Enterprise Preparedness (InterCEP), with the support of John Farmer, New York 9-11 Commission leader, to put together a group of key actors to consider and recommend through the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) a National Standard for Preparedness (NFPA 1600). The final page of Chapter 12: What To Do? A Global Strategy highlights the Commission's recommendation for these National Standards.

3. National Preparedness Standard: (NFPA 1600)

Emily instigated the Commission's request for the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) to develop a national standard for private preparedness. ANSI convened safety, security and business continuity experts to formulate a recommendation to the Commission. The result was an updating of the existing National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1600.

Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge, supported by Rich Cooper (former Homeland Security Staff) and the Private Sector Office of Homeland Security, endorsed adoption of the NFPA 1600 as a national standard at the 9-11 Commission hearing in May of 2004, as mentioned in this ANSI Press Release.

The 9-11 Commission recommended the adoption of this standard in its final report as detailed in this ANSI Press Release.

Emily Walker was recommended by Microsoft Head of International Security Wendy Freitag to receive the ANSI Chairman’s Award for her dedication to and support of the ANSI Homeland Security Standards Panel. Emily received the award in October 2005 in Washington, DC.

4. Hearing held November 19, 2003 at Drew University: Emergency Preparedness

Emily Walker designed the Drew University hearing focused on private sector preparedness and, along with Allison Prince, designed the video component of this public hearing. She was expressly given credit for her contribution to this hearing by Chairman Tom Kean, then President of Drew University. The opening of the hearing, where Chairman Kean reminded everyone of the exits, demonstrated the unique contribution the preparedness aspect had to the Commission’s work.

[Download a PDF or video (Emily is mentioned in Section 1 - 01:28-01:43) of this hearing]
I want to particularly thank Emily Walker and Ellie Hartz, as members of the Commission staff, for all they did to organize this hearing and to assemble the really extraordinary panels of witnesses that we will hear from shortly." - Thomas H. Kean, Chair

5. Staff Statement Number 14: Crisis Management

Emily Walker conducted the research for the section on private sector preparedness and read Staff Statement 14 on US national television during the Commission's eleventh public hearing on "Emergency Response," held May 18-19, 2004, at New School University in New York City. Emily introduced and collaborated with Allison Prince, the producer of the video narrative on the story of 9-11 shown during this hearing.

[Download a video (Emily's segment is from 2:50 to 11:07) of Staff Statement 14]

6. Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004

Emily Walker had a vital role in formulating and recommending specific language that was incorporated into this legislation (Public Law 108-458 of Dec 17, 2004), in particular the following sections:

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:
(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 Standards Institute and based on the National Fire Protection Association 1600 Standard on Disaster/Emergency Management and Business Continuity Programs.

SEC. 7804. PRIVATE SECTOR PREPAREDNESS.
It is the sense of Congress that the insurance industry and credit-rating agencies, where relevant, should carefully consider a company’s compliance with standards for private sector disaster and emergency preparedness in assessing insurability and creditworthiness, to ensure that private sector investment in disaster and emergency preparedness is appropriately encouraged.

7. Harvard Kennedy School of Government Case Study

Emily Walker was interviewed for this Harvard Kennedy School of Government Case Study, Piloting a Bipartisan Ship: Strategies and Tactics of the 9/11 Commission, on the workings of the 9-11 Commission. She discussed her role as liaison to the families of the victims and the challenges and importance of dealing with the families during the Commission's work.

8. Letter from Former Congressman Lee Hamilton, Co-Chairman of the 9-11 Commission

Emily Walker received a Letter of Commendation from Former Congressman Hamilton expressing his appreciation of her work on the 9-11 Commission.

9. Without Precedent: The Inside Story of the 9/11 Commission

This book by Thomas H. Kean and Lee H. Hamilton, published by Alfred A. Knopf in August of 2006, mentions, on page 67, the importance of Emily Walker’s role as Family Liaison.

10. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Speech

Emily Walker, along with William Raisch (Current Director, NYU International Center for Enterprise Preparedness (InterCEP), were keynote speakers at the National Fire Protection Association Annual Meeting in November 2005. Download the PowerPoint presentation for this conference, which attracted over 1,000 participants.

11. Johns Hopkins SAIS Speech

Emily Walker addressed the student body at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies in Washington, DC on the third anniversary of the 9-11 attacks on September 11, 2004.

12. Bologna Center 50th Anniversary Article

The Bologna Center of Johns Hopkins University retold Emily's story of her experience on September 11, 2001 in the 50th Anniversary Alumni publication.

13. BBC News Radio: 5 Alive

Emily Walker was interviewed on the "Wake Up To Money" radio programme hosted by Guy Ruddle and Micky Clarke on July 26, 2004. Emily discussed private sector preparedness following the publication of the Final Report of the 9-11 Commission. Hear a short excerpt of Emily's interview.

14. The International Forums on Preparedness in Florence, Italy

Emily Walker is a founding member of the so-called Florence Forums of the NYU International Center for Enterprise Preparedness (InterCEP). Emily served as a member of the Global Steering Committee in 2006 and 2007.

15. Wall Street Journal article: 9-11 Panel Vets Readiness Rules for Businesses, by Scot J. Paltrow

This Wall Street Journal article, published on Thursday, May 20, 2004, describes the importance of the 9-11 Recommendations for private sector standards.

16. U.S. News & World Report article: In Search of Answers, by Chitra Ragavan

This article, published in the July 14, 2003 issue of U.S. News & World Report, is one of the first pieces about the Commission which included specific mention of Emily Walker and the New York team.

17. Consultant to Paul Greengrass on major motion picture United 93

Emily Walker acted as technical consultant to writer and director Paul Greengrass on the major motion picture United 93. In this role, she ensured that the screenplay adhered closely to the facts as described in the Final Report of the 9-11 Commission.

18. American School in London article: Sharing History

Emily Walker discusses her experiences working with Paul Greengrass on the major motion picture United 93. This article was published in the American School in London magazine.

19. The Commission: The Uncensored History of the 9/11 Investigation

Philip Shenon, on pages 88 and 89 of his recent book published by Hachette Book Group (Feb 2008), recounts Emily's vital role as family liaison:
Dealing with the 9/11 families was left mostly to two members of the Commission’s staff, Ellie Hartz and Emily Walker, who found the duty wrenching. ... Walker who joined the Commission from the Executive Ranks of Citibank ... had been at work in lower Manhattan on September 11 ... and found herself dealing with the concerns of men and women and children who felt they had lost everything that day - and wanted to know why.

e-mail: emily@emilylwalker.com Profile CV Photo

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© 2007-2009 Emily L Walker


NATIONAL COMMISSION ON TERRORIST ATTACKS UPON THE UNITED STATES
(9-11 COMMISSION)		April 2003 - June 2004
New York, NY and Washington, DC
Professional Staff Member and Family Liaison

Emily Walker was selected to serve as a staff member of the New York Team of the National Commission On Terrorist Attacks Upon The United States (9-11 Commission). The New York Team was led by former New Jersey Attorney General John Farmer. Emily designed the workplan for the Commission’s investigation into the private sector response during 9-11, including the story of the closing and re-opening of the NY Stock Exchange. She developed the agenda, content, and selected speakers for the November 2003 hearing on Private Sector Preparedness at Drew University. Emily created, organized and instigated the Commission’s recommendation for a "National Standard for Emergency Preparedness" (NFPA 1600) and lobbied for the insertion of this standard in the US Department of Homeland Security’s Ready.Gov business campaign as well as in the December 2004 Intelligence Legislation passed by the US Congress. Emily is the recipient of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) 2004 "Chairman’s Award" for her work on the National Preparedness Standard. Emily continues to be involved in the topic of Emergency Preparedness.


1.	Detailed Job Description

2.	Final Report of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States

		Emily Walker did the research and interviews for the sections of Chapter 9: Heroism and Horror related to the private sector evacuation and response to the crisis.

		Emily Walker worked with William Raisch, a volunteer on the 9-11 Commission and currently Director of the NYU International Center for Enterprise Preparedness (InterCEP), with the support of John Farmer, New York 9-11 Commission leader, to put together a group of key actors to consider and recommend through the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) a National Standard for Preparedness (NFPA 1600). The final page of Chapter 12: What To Do? A Global Strategy highlights the Commission's recommendation for these National Standards.

3.	National Preparedness Standard: (NFPA 1600)

		Emily instigated the Commission's request for the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) to develop a national standard for private preparedness. ANSI convened safety, security and business continuity experts to formulate a recommendation to the Commission. The result was an updating of the existing National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1600.

		Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge, supported by Rich Cooper (former Homeland Security Staff) and the Private Sector Office of Homeland Security, endorsed adoption of the NFPA 1600 as a national standard at the 9-11 Commission hearing in May of 2004, as mentioned in this ANSI Press Release.

		The 9-11 Commission recommended the adoption of this standard in its final report as detailed in this ANSI Press Release.

		Emily Walker was recommended by Microsoft Head of International Security Wendy Freitag to receive the ANSI Chairman’s Award for her dedication to and support of the ANSI Homeland Security Standards Panel. Emily received the award in October 2005 in Washington, DC.

4.	Hearing held November 19, 2003 at Drew University: Emergency Preparedness

		Emily Walker designed the Drew University hearing focused on private sector preparedness and, along with Allison Prince, designed the video component of this public hearing. She was expressly given credit for her contribution to this hearing by Chairman Tom Kean, then President of Drew University. The opening of the hearing, where Chairman Kean reminded everyone of the exits, demonstrated the unique contribution the preparedness aspect had to the Commission’s work.

		[Download a PDF or video (Emily is mentioned in Section 1 - 01:28-01:43) of this hearing] I want to particularly thank Emily Walker and Ellie Hartz, as members of the Commission staff, for all they did to organize this hearing and to assemble the really extraordinary panels of witnesses that we will hear from shortly." - Thomas H. Kean, Chair

5.	Staff Statement Number 14: Crisis Management

		Emily Walker conducted the research for the section on private sector preparedness and read Staff Statement 14 on US national television during the Commission's eleventh public hearing on "Emergency Response," held May 18-19, 2004, at New School University in New York City. Emily introduced and collaborated with Allison Prince, the producer of the video narrative on the story of 9-11 shown during this hearing.

		[Download a video (Emily's segment is from 2:50 to 11:07) of Staff Statement 14]

6.	Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004

		Emily Walker had a vital role in formulating and recommending specific language that was incorporated into this legislation (Public Law 108-458 of Dec 17, 2004), in particular the following sections:

		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: (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 Standards Institute and based on the National Fire Protection Association 1600 Standard on Disaster/Emergency Management and Business Continuity Programs.

		SEC. 7804. PRIVATE SECTOR PREPAREDNESS. It is the sense of Congress that the insurance industry and credit-rating agencies, where relevant, should carefully consider a company’s compliance with standards for private sector disaster and emergency preparedness in assessing insurability and creditworthiness, to ensure that private sector investment in disaster and emergency preparedness is appropriately encouraged.

7.	Harvard Kennedy School of Government Case Study

		Emily Walker was interviewed for this Harvard Kennedy School of Government Case Study, Piloting a Bipartisan Ship: Strategies and Tactics of the 9/11 Commission, on the workings of the 9-11 Commission. She discussed her role as liaison to the families of the victims and the challenges and importance of dealing with the families during the Commission's work.

8.	Letter from Former Congressman Lee Hamilton, Co-Chairman of the 9-11 Commission

		Emily Walker received a Letter of Commendation from Former Congressman Hamilton expressing his appreciation of her work on the 9-11 Commission.

9.	Without Precedent: The Inside Story of the 9/11 Commission

		This book by Thomas H. Kean and Lee H. Hamilton, published by Alfred A. Knopf in August of 2006, mentions, on page 67, the importance of Emily Walker’s role as Family Liaison.

10.	National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Speech

		Emily Walker, along with William Raisch (Current Director, NYU International Center for Enterprise Preparedness (InterCEP), were keynote speakers at the National Fire Protection Association Annual Meeting in November 2005. Download the PowerPoint presentation for this conference, which attracted over 1,000 participants.

11.	Johns Hopkins SAIS Speech

		Emily Walker addressed the student body at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies in Washington, DC on the third anniversary of the 9-11 attacks on September 11, 2004.

12.	Bologna Center 50th Anniversary Article

		The Bologna Center of Johns Hopkins University retold Emily's story of her experience on September 11, 2001 in the 50th Anniversary Alumni publication.

13.	BBC News Radio: 5 Alive

		Emily Walker was interviewed on the "Wake Up To Money" radio programme hosted by Guy Ruddle and Micky Clarke on July 26, 2004. Emily discussed private sector preparedness following the publication of the Final Report of the 9-11 Commission. Hear a short excerpt of Emily's interview.

14.	The International Forums on Preparedness in Florence, Italy

		Emily Walker is a founding member of the so-called Florence Forums of the NYU International Center for Enterprise Preparedness (InterCEP). Emily served as a member of the Global Steering Committee in 2006 and 2007.

15.	Wall Street Journal article: 9-11 Panel Vets Readiness Rules for Businesses, by Scot J. Paltrow

		This Wall Street Journal article, published on Thursday, May 20, 2004, describes the importance of the 9-11 Recommendations for private sector standards.

16.	U.S. News & World Report article: In Search of Answers, by Chitra Ragavan

		This article, published in the July 14, 2003 issue of U.S. News & World Report, is one of the first pieces about the Commission which included specific mention of Emily Walker and the New York team.

17.	Consultant to Paul Greengrass on major motion picture United 93

		Emily Walker acted as technical consultant to writer and director Paul Greengrass on the major motion picture United 93. In this role, she ensured that the screenplay adhered closely to the facts as described in the Final Report of the 9-11 Commission.

18.	American School in London article: Sharing History

		Emily Walker discusses her experiences working with Paul Greengrass on the major motion picture United 93. This article was published in the American School in London magazine.

19.	The Commission: The Uncensored History of the 9/11 Investigation

		Philip Shenon, on pages 88 and 89 of his recent book published by Hachette Book Group (Feb 2008), recounts Emily's vital role as family liaison: Dealing with the 9/11 families was left mostly to two members of the Commission’s staff, Ellie Hartz and Emily Walker, who found the duty wrenching. ... Walker who joined the Commission from the Executive Ranks of Citibank ... had been at work in lower Manhattan on September 11 ... and found herself dealing with the concerns of men and women and children who felt they had lost everything that day - and wanted to know why.