Program Name Increasing Earthquake Awareness in Utah

Administering Agency Utah Geological Survey

Contact Person (Name/Title) Sandy Eldredge, Program Manager Geological Extension Service

Address Utah Geological Survey, P.O. Box 146100
Salt Lake City, UT 84114-6100

Telephone Number 801-537-3300

Fax Number 801-537-3400
 

1.	How long has this program been operational? Year: 1994
2.	What are the major purposes of this program? What problem(s) or issue(s) was it designed to address?
	To increase awareness of earthquake hazards and risks in Utah by providing publications tailored specifically for the layperson (general public, realtors, and public officials). Prior to this program's inception, translated geologic information was limited and not readily available; in addition, new earthquake research results required translation and dissemination. The public needed consistent information that translated technical, sometimes seemingly contradictory scientific information about earthquakes, and addressed misconceptions about the earthquake threat in Utah.
3.	Describe the specific activities and operations of the program.
	The program published the following complementary maps and brochures:   Page-size liquefaction-potential maps for four Wasatch Front counties (to be companions to pre-existing fault maps for those counties), 1994;   Ground shaking information pamphlet to address this misunderstood, yet most frequently occurring hazard, 1994;   A Homebuyers' Guide to Earthquake Hazards in Utah - a comprehensive guide explaining the hazards, where they occur, relative risks, and directions to additional sources of information, 1996;   The Wasatch Fault brochure illustrating and describing the longest, most active fault in Utah along which the majority of Utahns reside, 1996; and   Earthquakes and Utah - a comprehensive "everything you wanted to know about earthquakes in Utah" brochure, 1997. To encourage use of the publications, UGS staff distribute them at scientific conferences, teacher workshops, state and local fairs, and give talks to a wide variety of audiences. UGS alerted the media and local officials about the publications, and received both newspaper and television coverage.
4.	Does this program take a new and creative approach or method? If yes, please describe.
	Although other states provide similar information, the UGS has taken a more comprehensive approach to increasing earthquake awareness in Utah. The UGS realized it could provide geologic brochures to complement the preparedness brochures and seismic retrofitting brochures available from the Utah Division of Comprehensive Emergency Management and other agencies. The UGS worked with the University of Utah Seismograph Stations and the Utah Division of Comprehensive Emergency Management to produce the best product that all agencies could use. These agencies share information and duties to serve the public. To publicize the program, the UGS contacted and delivered copies of these publications to the media and local government officials resulting in wide coverage.
5.	What were the program’s start-up costs and source(s) of funding?
	$35,692 Budget Source: 1/2 U.S. Geological Survey (NEHRP) 1/2 UGS
	What are the program’s annual operational costs and source(s) of funding?
	$ 5,000 Budget Source: UGS; general funds and sales revenue
6.	How many employees (full-time equivalent) work(ed) with this program? .5 FTE
7.	To the best of your knowledge, did this program originate in your state? No
	Are you aware of similar programs in other states? *Yes
	*But those programs are not as comprehensive
8.	Has the program been fully implemented? Yes
	If No, what actions remain to be taken?
9.	Is there evidence that the program has been effective in achieving its stated purpose(s)? Briefly summarize evaluations (pro and con) of how well the program has addressed the defined problem(s) or issue(s).
	Following newspaper and television coverage, the distribution of the publications substantially increased. The UGS taught the Salt Lake City Fire Department's CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) instructors about earthquake hazards and risks. CERT now uses A Homebuyers' Guide to Earthquake Hazards in Utah to teach in their classes and distributes copies of the brochure. Information and illustrations from these UGS brochures have been used in public information brochures prepared and distributed by other agencies. Some of our information is now included in Building Inspectors reports for home buyers. Public inquiries received at UGS about earthquakes have changed from an uninformed public to a more educated public.
10.	How has the program changed since its inception? What limitations or obstacles might other states expect to encounter if they attempt to adopt this program?
	The program has evolved as the public's needs for information have changed and expanded, and as our understanding of earthquake hazards has improved. We will expand (by demand) by producing page-size fault maps and liquefaction maps for other counties in Utah. The program is readily adoptable by other states, and to some extent they may use our products as models for similar products adapted for their conditions.

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Program Name Yuma Earthquake Preparedness

Administering Agency Yuma City/County Division of Emergency Management

Contact Person (Name/Title) Cristina Herrera/Acting Director

Address 298 W. 4th Street, Yuma, AZ 85364

Telephone Number (520) 783-5960