Mission Statement

The mission of the Los Angeles Emergency Preparedness Foundation (LAEPF) is to create partnerships, provide resources, and implement programs that will help the City of Los Angeles improve the level of preparedness, resiliency, and ability to respond and recover from catastrophic natural and man-made disasters.

Overview

The Honorable Antonio R. Villaraigosa, Mayor of the City of Los Angeles, along with Los Angeles Director of Emergency Management, Mr. James Featherstone, have officially announced their support for the newly formed Los Angeles Emergency Preparedness Foundation (a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization).  The newly formed foundation will provide direct support to the City of Los Angeles on matters concerning disaster preparedness, risk mitigation, crisis management, and long term resiliency.  The program will include interfacing with businesses, academic institutions, non-government charitable organizations (NGO's), government agencies, and our local citizens.  The LAEPF will work in cooperation with all current local and national business organizations operating in the city.  This includes the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce and BENS (Business Executives for National Security, Inc.).

Immediate LAEPF project focus areas include funding support for the completion of the City of Los Angeles Emergency Operations Center (EOC).  A second project includes supporting small and medium business risk awareness, educational needs, and certification in disaster preparedness.  The U.S. Congressional report on the benefits of pre-disaster mitigation documents financial and operating returns as high as 50:1 for investment in this area.  By improving awareness, motivating businesses to mitigate risk, and working in a collaborative manner, we believe LAEPF can help reduce losses, accelerate recovery, and maximize resources to benefit all aspects of citywide emergency management.

LAEPF was an active participant in the Los Angeles hosted 2008 International Earthquake Conference and the November 13, 2008 State-wide earthquake disaster simulation exercise ("The Great Shake Out").  LAEPF is active in working with DHS/FEMA in reviewing potential federal grant funding to support disaster readiness activities in the City of Los Angeles.

The creation of LAEPF is considered one of the Mayor's, and the community's most important disaster preparedness initiatives over the past several years.  Board members have been carefully selected as strong community leaders committed to LAEPF efforts in building a more disaster resilient City of Los Angeles.