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CEOs Prepare for Disaster; Mayor's Award of Excellence Presented to Toyota

5 March 1999

CEOs Prepare for Disaster; Mayor's Award of Excellence Presented to Toyota

    TORRANCE, Calif., March 4 -- Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
(TMS), the Business Industry Council on Emergency Planning and Preparedness
(BICEPP), and Mayor Richard Riordan's office today 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.
    In 1983, prompted by the potential threat of a regional disaster, then
Mayor Tom Bradley and a group of business leaders were driven to create the
Business and Industry Council on Emergency Planning and Preparedness (BICEPP).
    BICEPP, a private, nonprofit corporation, provides a forum for information
exchange to enhance emergency preparedness and contingency planning within the
business community.  Its members represent Fortune 500 companies as well as
small business owners and governmental emergency management agencies.
    "Time and again, Los Angeles has shown the world that public and private
partnerships make a difference in turning a city around," said Mayor Richard
J. Riordan.  "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."
    BICEPP, recognized for exemplary practices in emergency management by
FEMA, has become acknowledged worldwide for its efforts to assist business and
industry in working together to become more self-reliant in a disaster.
    In 1996, Toyota made a commitment to emergency preparedness and
contingency planning.  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 Motor Sales 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.
    The first Mayor's Award of Excellence was presented to Toyota Motor Sales,
U.S.A. Inc.  "Toyota has proven to be a strong partner in our community by
participating annually in many of our largest outreach efforts, and for its
commitment to BICEPP and the community's emergency preparedness program,"
Riordan said.
    In addition to business recovery plans for each department, over 500
employees having graduated from Toyota's Community Emergency Response Training
(CERT).  Toyota realizes the importance of being prepared to meet any
disaster.
    "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, 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.