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Earthquake Program
Utah is earthquake country. Earthquakes
can strike at any time without warning, causing major damage to homes and critical
infrastructures. They are almost always followed by aftershocks that can be even
larger than the initial quake. There are things you can do to prepare your home
and family for an earthquake. Many of these things will help prepare you for other
emergencies and disasters too.
Utah Earthquake Preparedness Information Center (EPICenter)
The Utah EPICenter promotes seismic safety statewide and prepares Utahn's for
earthquakes through community outreach programs, publications and presentations.
the EPICenter works to implement broad - based yet specific proposals regarding
preparedness and mitigation. It also acts as a resource to state and local agencies,
schools, businesses, etc. involved in earthquake preparedness.
State and local governments are responsible for protecting lives and property, and
therefore play a primary role in earthquake hazard reduction. To reduce the effects
of earthquakes on communities, an effective earthquake hazard reduction program
must be developed. This is done by developing, implementing, and promoting
earthquake hazard reduction measures including vulnerability assessments,
preparedness and response planning, mitigation, public awareness, and education.
Earthquakes shake humans and their environment. Injuries and loss of life from
earthquakes are directly related to building damage and collapse, and the seismic
performance of lifeline systems. The EPICenter monitors state and local programs,
that promote life safety activities and seismic structural enhancement.
Examples of the EPICenter's programs include:
- One outreach program is keeping the public informed of earthquake activities
through public awareness
- Presentations to local church, community and business groups continue to grow
in demand
- Communities and local businesses are incorporating earthquake preparedness as
part of their daily life and a part of employee training. EPICenter provides a
non - structural walk - through to business and local communities to reduce
potential losses due to an earthquake.
- The ATC 20 workshop, is targeted specifically for volunteer engineers,
architects, building inspectors and others who will be required to make
on - the - spot evaluations of buildings. The ATC 21 is a course that will give
local governments and citizens guidance in developing a practical approach to a
very serious problem.
- One of the main hazards during an earthquake is non - structural damage that
occurs inside buildings. The EPICenter continues its non - structural mitigation
education program that includes workshops, non - structural facility inspections,
and distribution of non - structural mitigation materials.
For more information please contact Bob Carey, Earthquake Program Manager, at (801)
538 - 3784 or bcarey@utah.gov.
For more information about earthquakes in general, click on a link below.
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