In the aftermath of this summer’s 7.1 earthquake in Ridgecrest, Calif. and widespread destruction caused by wildfires in surrounding areas, leading experts will present information to help local business leaders prepare for the hazards in Los Angeles County.
The Los Angeles County Business Federation (BizFed) will hold a series of Earthquake Preparedness seminars. Presentations will examine steps that can be taken today to create more resilient businesses before disasters strike.
“These seminars will present very timely and important information on how to protect your business, property, employees and tenants” says BizFed Founding Chief Executive Officer Tracy Hernandez. “We encourage local businesses and organizations to learn how they can prepare for and respond to the natural hazards facing all communities in Los Angeles County.”
“Increasing public awareness of how businesses can make our cities safer is the major goal of these seminars,” says Ali Sahabi, chief operating officer of Optimum Seismic and a leader in seismic resiliency and sustainability.
“There is a great deal at stake,” says Sahabi. “USC researchers estimate the eight-county region of Southern California could suffer property damage of $113 billion in a major earthquake, with additional business-related impacts of $68 billion or more.”
“Recovery from a major earthquake that directly hits our densely populated urban area will take years, if not decades,” adds Sahabi. “FEMA estimates 40% of businesses that close their doors as a result of disasters will never reopen.”
“Protecting our existing business community and growing new, high-quality jobs in our area is a vital part of the mission of the Southern California Association of Governments,” says Kome Ajise, executive director of SCAG. “These seminars are intended to enhance the seismic resilience of our businesses, which is one of the most pressing challenges facing Southern California. “
The seminars will be held at five convenient locations throughout Los Angeles County. The seminar dates and locations are:
Wed., Sept. 11 – Four Points by Sheraton, 5990 Green Valley Cir, Culver City
Wed., Sept. 25 – Ganahl Lumber Center, 2600 Del Amo Blvd, Torrance
Thurs, Oct. 10 – Southern California Association of Governments, 900 Wilshire Blvd., Ste. 1700, Los Angeles
Wed., Oct. 23 – Los Angeles Valley College, Monarch Hall, 5800 Fulton Avenue, Valley Glen
Wed., Nov. 6 – South Pasadena Library, 1100 Oxley St, South Pasadena
Lunch will be provided beginning at 11:30 a.m. The program begins at noon and concludes at 2 p.m
The seminar series on how to make businesses more resilient before the next major earthquake occurs is a cooperative effort of BizFed, the Los Angeles County Office of Sustainability, the County Office of Emergency Management, Southern California Association of Governments, US Resiliency Council, and Optimum Seismic.
Also supporting the seminar series are a number of other key business organizations: Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce, Central City Association, Culver City Chamber of Commerce, Inglewood Airport Area Chamber of Commerce, LAX/Coastal Area Chamber of Commerce, Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, Pasadena Chamber of Commerce, Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce, and West Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce.
Other business organizations supporting the seminar series are: Building Industry Association of Southern California, Central City Association, Greater Los Angeles Association of Realtors, Rancho Southeast Association of Realtors, and the Southland Regional Association of Realtors.
To reserve your seat, register at https://bizfedlacounty.org/resiliency.
About Los Angeles County Business Federation (BizFed)
With more than 180 business organizations representing 400,000 employers with 3.5 million employees throughout L.A. County, BizFed is a massive, diverse grassroots alliance that advocates for policies and projects that strengthen the regional economy. Leveraging power in numbers, BizFed explores all sides of critical issues and takes action to make a difference for business growth, job creation, and economic vitality in Southern California.
About SCAG
SCAG is the nation’s largest metropolitan planning organization, representing six counties, 191 cities and nearly 19 million residents. SCAG undertakes a variety of planning and policy initiatives to plan for a livable and sustainable Southern California now and in the future. For more information about SCAG’s regional efforts, visit www.scag.ca.gov.
About Optimum Seismic
The Optimum Seismic team has been making California cities safer since 1984 by providing full-service earthquake preparedness and building design services on multifamily residential, commercial and industrial buildings throughout the state. Optimum Seismic’s engineering and construction experts have completed more than 3,000 projects, including earthquake retrofit work on soft-story multifamily apartment buildings, unreinforced masonry (URM) buildings and tilt-up, non-ductile concrete and steel moment frame commercial buildings. For information, contact Optimum Seismic at (323) 678-4686 or visit www.optimumseismic.com.
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