Seismic Scientists And Emergency Managers Meet In Idaho
Earthquake Risk Reduction Conference 11-14 September 2005
Release Date: June 9, 2005
Release Number: R10-05-064
BOISE, Idaho -- Hundreds of geoscientists, engineers, insurance regulators, building officials and emergency managers will converge in Boise, Idaho to take part in the Western States Seismic Policy Council (WSSPC) Annual Conference, 11-14 September 2005, at The Grove Hotel & Boise Centre. Sponsored by WSSPC, the Idaho Bureau of Homeland Security, Idaho Geological Survey, USGS and FEMA, the three-day conference combines plenary sessions and a field trip to identify challenges to measuring and communicating hazards assessments; change perceptions to risks; set priorities for seismic safety and implement seismic networks. According to WSSPC Executive Director Patti Sutch, the conference reflects a commitment to changing the way America deals with earthquakes by stressing pre-disaster planning and aggressive mitigation measures taken before disaster strikes.
“This year’s plenary sessions zero-in on challenges for implementing National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) goals for the coming decade: to support reduced exposure to loss of life, infrastructure, economies and resources,” said Sutch. “We’ll work on strategies for strengthening NEHRP and WSSPC given our national realities of western earthquakes, rural earthquakes and earthquakes in cash-strapped states and communities.”
According to FEMA Regional Director John Pennington, this year marks WSSPC’s first annual conference to be held since the implementation of the new National Response Plan, and is a “must attend event” for emergency responders, managers and planners. “Field trips have been designed to complement the scheduled panel discussions, and the three-day integral Exhibitor Fair will showcase state-of-the-art technologies and products.”
Early Bird registration special offers are available through 30 June. For registration information visit: www.wsspc.org/Events/ac2005, call (650) 330-1101, or write: WSSPC, 644 Emerson Street, CA 94301.
FEMA prepares the nation for all hazards and manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, trains first responders, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Last Modified: Friday, 10-Jun-2005 07:06:09