CGA Agrees to Work With State in Emergencies

The California Grocers Association said it is one of four private-sector partners that has agreed to work with the California Office of Emergency Services in a new statewide disaster-response system designed to expedite relief efforts and maximize critical resources.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The California Grocers Association here said it is one of four private-sector partners that has agreed to work with the California Office of Emergency Services in a new statewide disaster-response system designed to expedite relief efforts and maximize critical resources. The other private-sector partners are Wal-Mart Stores, Business Executives for National Security and the California Utilities Emergency Association. The agreements with the four entities — with others expected to follow — allow government agencies to access emergency management professionals in the private sector as needed, while the private-sector partners will staff a new “business operations center during emergencies or natural disasters, CGA explained. According to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, “Having the private sector side-by-side with state and federal emergency management personnel will expedite response activities and maximize resources.”