L.A. Mayor and Red Cross Sign Disaster Response Agreement

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Los Angeles Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa and Paul Schulz, CEO, American Red Cross Los Angeles Region, signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) today which affirms and restates the terms of an ongoing working relationship between the American Red Cross and the City of Los Angeles in preparing for and responding to disaster relief situations.

The signing took place at an emergency readiness fair held at Nokia Plaza L.A. Live, which was hosted by the California Emergency Management Agency and the City of Los Angeles Emergency Management Department.

This agreement provides a broad framework for cooperation between the two entities to:

• render assistance and service to victims of disaster to meet the disaster-caused emergency needs of residents;
• plan readiness and response training activities for disasters; and
• provide other services for which cooperation may be mutually beneficial.

"The outcome of the next disaster will be determined by how prepared we are now and the assistance of community groups, businesses and residents," said Mayor Villaraigosa. "Keeping with our efforts to make Los Angeles ready for any emergency, the City is proud to officially partner with the Red Cross to ensure full coordination of relief and recovery efforts in the event of a disaster here at home."

Paul Schulz, CEO of the Red Cross said: "Having recently returned from Chile where I saw first hand how they responded to the major earthquake in February, I can say with confidence that no one agency or organization has the capabilities needed to respond to an event of that magnitude. With limited resources and the growing threat of a massive quake, we all need each other more than ever. The mayor's signature on this MOA signals a new beginning of cooperation and coordination between the City, its agencies and the Red Cross."

About The American Red Cross Los Angeles Region

A volunteer-led humanitarian organization, the American Red Cross Los Angeles Region helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. Serving more than 85 cities in the Los Angeles region, the Red Cross provides relief for victims of house and apartment fires, earthquakes, floods hazardous material spills, transportation accidents, explosions and other natural or man-made disasters --- 24 hours a day. Last year, the chapter trained more than 100,000 people in vital life-saving skills, including CPR and first aid. For more information, please visit www.RedCrossLA.org.

SOURCE American Red Cross Los Angeles Region