ASK INDUSTRY AND GOVERNMENT EXPERTS HOW TO PREPARE FOR DISASTER
Los Angeles, CA, Tuesday, January 16, 2007, Town Hall Los Angeles and Lockheed Martin present PREPARE!, A Leader's Guide to Security and Emergency Preparedness. The one-day conference, for businesses that want to stay in business after a disaster, takes place Thursday, January 18, 2007, in the Crystal Ballroom at the Beverly Hills Hotel.
The conference consists of keynote addresses and four sessions with leaders from local government, global non-governmental organizations, and corporations to discuss how businesses and households must structure themselves to survive after a disaster.
Morning keynote speaker, Dr. Yossi Sheffi, is the Director of the Center for Transportation and Logistics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and author of The Resilient Enterprise. Sheffi discussed identifying the main risks for any company, stating, "The truth is, you're never sure you are prepared for the right thing. But if you build in some redundancy or flexibility, it doesn't matter if it's a hurricane, an earthquake or a strike. You'll be ready for anything regardless of the problem." Prepare participants receive a copy of Sheffi's book.
The first panel session "Regional Homeland Security" focuses on immediate response plans. Local first-responders on the panel include Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca; Warren Bamford, Special Agent in Charge of Counterterrorism for the Federal Bureau of Investigation, LA; Commander Michael Grossman from the Office of Homeland Security at the LA County Sheriff's Department; and Deputy Chief Mark Leap, Commanding Officer, Counterterrorism and Criminal Intelligence Bureau for the Los Angeles Police Department. Moderator Dr. Nadav Morag is a faculty member at the Center for Homeland Defense and Security, US Naval Postgraduate School and former Israel National Security Council Senior Official.
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Session 2, "Keeping Your Business Running," is moderated by Gloria Jeff, General Manager for the Los Angeles Department of Transportation. The panel asks industry leaders in banking, security, health care, and retail what they have learned from recent catastrophes and what every business should do to guard against going out of business. Panelists include Thomas Beaver, Senior Vice President of the Information Services Group for City National Bank; Tom Watson, Manager of Emergency Services for Lockheed Martin; Skip Skivington, National Director for Health Care Continuity Management at Kaiser Permanente; and Jason Jackson, Director of Business Continuity for Wal-Mart.
When discussing Wal-Mart's role in bringing water to victims after Hurricane Katrina, Jackson said, "The important thing to remember is that we are not first responders. But there are things we can do to help if we have good communication with the state and local agencies."
Brigadier General James P. Combs delivers the luncheon keynote address. Combs is the Commanding General of the 40th Infantry Division and Post Commander at the Joint Forces Training Base Los Alamitos. He is the top military official in the realm of emergency preparedness and response for the
General Manager for the City of Los Angeles Emergency Preparedness Department ? Ellis Stanley ? moderates Session 3, "Tales from the Trenches." Panelists consist of leaders in non-governmental organizations sharing their on-the-ground experience and local response plans. Panelists will identify what every Angeleno should know about recovering from a disaster. Joe Becker, Senior Vice
President for Preparedness and Response at the American Red Cross; Daryl Rand, Project Manager of the Emergency Preparedness Initiative for CBS Outdoor; and Stephen Tomlin, Vice President of Program Policy and Planning for the International Medical Corps, round out the panel.
The last session, "Tools of the Trade," identifies cutting-edge technologies and visionary planning from industry experts. Chief Deputy Director for the State of
The day ends with a cocktail reception and conversation with New Orleans City Councilman, The Honorable Oliver M. Thomas.
For 70 years, Town Hall Los Angeles has been dedicated to promoting civic participation, pride, and awareness. As a nonpartisan and nonprofit forum, we encourage a public discussion on issues of regional, national, and international significance. Stay informed, Join Town Hall today!
WHEN:
Thursday, January 18, 2007
8:00 AM ? 6:00 PM
11:00 AM Media Availability (Sunset Room)
WHERE:
The Beverly Hills Hotel
Crystal Ballroom
9641 Sunset Boulevard
Media Contact: Deborah Weinberg, Director of Media Relations at 213.312.9307 or email [email protected].
All members of the media are invited to cover this timely meeting.
**Please credit Town Hall Los Angeles in your coverage.
