Newsletter

Mayor's Award of Excellence Presented to Toyota
On March 4, 1999, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. (TMS), the Business Industry Council on Emergency Planning and Preparedness (BICEPP), and Mayor Richard Riordan's office hosted a forum for CEOs of major Los Angeles area corporations to exchange ideas and reinforce the need for businesses to be self-sustaining in times of emergencies and disasters.

BICEPP has been uniquely situated to allow this city and community to forge strong public-private partnerships that are essential in developing a comprehensive emergency management program. Many such partnerships have been formed, and it is with that in mind that the Mayor's Award of Excellence has been created and is presented annually to one private partner that stands out above the rest. This award was created in memory of Tom Bradley's commitment to a strong public-private partnership for emergency preparedness.

BICEPP's president, Chris Wright, congratulated Toyota for its commitment to emergency preparedness and contingency planning which began in 1996. With the creation of a Disaster Management Team, Toyota began educating and preparing top-level management as well as all Toyota team members in the steps that will be necessary to insure business continuity and recovery in case of an emergency.

"As a major employer, we recognize that we have a responsibility to our associates, business partners, and customers to be prepared to quickly respond to a disaster in a productive manner," said Toyota Senior Vice President of Finance, Information Systems, and Human Resources Doug West.

"In the initial stages of a major disaster we will be on our own for basic survival support. We have made the commitment to insure our associates are well trained and prepared with the tools necessary to help one another and their families," West said.

Toyota realizes the importance of being prepared to meet any disaster. In a major disaster, city services such as the fire department, police department, and hospitals could be overwhelmed. Toyota has trained over 500 employees in Community Emergency Response Training (CERT). Toyota employees receive training in fire suppression, disaster medical, disaster psychology, search and rescue, and how to work in a team under the Incident Command System (ICS).

The first Mayor's Award of Excellence was presented to Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. by Tom LaBonge, Special Assistant to the Mayor. He quoted Mayor Riordan when he stated, "Toyota has proven to be a strong partner in our community by participating annually as a sponsor in many of our largest outreach efforts, and for its commitment to BICEPP and the community's emergency preparedness program. Time and again, Los Angeles has shown the world that public and private partnerships make a difference in turning a city around. I applaud Toyota and BICEPP for being part of the team that is making a difference for our city - in time of calm, and in times of emergency."

"No one knows better about the impact of disasters than the people of Los Angeles and Southern California who have paid the price repeatedly. The direct costs in terms of human suffering have been enormous," said Deputy Regional Director, FEMA Region IX, Vallee Bunting. "But, just as devastating are the indirect consequences that may last for years. Disasters result in lost jobs, missed opportunities, and a depressed economy. As dire as all this may sound, there are positive steps that we - working together as partners - can take to reduce our vulnerability."

Paramount Pictures Corporation, Amgen Inc., The Capital Group Companies, Universal Studios, Toyota, Southern California Edison, and The Southern California Gas Company were representative of the companies in attendance. In addition, the California State Office of Emergency Services and numerous Los Angeles area municipalities were represented.
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