WSSPC Awards in Excellence 1999

Award Recipients

Awarded Category: Outreach to Schools

Program Name:  Tsunami Education Strategy

Administering Agency: Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries

Contact Person:  Angie Karel

Address:  800 NE Oregon St., #28, Portland, OR 97232

Telephone Number: 503-731-4100

Fax Number: 503-731-4066

1.	How long has this program been operational?
	4 years
2.	What are the major purposes of this program? What problem(s) or issue(s) was it designed to address?
	The major purpose is to save lives of Oregon coastal residents and visitors. The problem is the rapid arrival of devastating tsunami waves from Cascadia off-shore earthquakes.
3.	Describe the specific activities and operations of the program.
	A school curriculum, including video, has been designed for tsunami education programs for grades K-12 Educational Podiums have been placed on frequently visited beaches along the Oregon coast to explain the tsunami hazard and provide instructions regarding evacuation when required. Brochures and other materials are provided as information pieces and as takeaway educational items for visitors to coastal hotels and motels.
4.	Does this program take a new and creative approach or method? If yes, please describe.
	Yes. Most of the program was designed in Oregon and is currently being adopted or considered for adoption in other Pacific states. Further, the components of this program could well serve as a model for educational efforts for other perils affecting a state or geographical area.
5.	What were the program’s start-up costs and source(s) of funding?
	$50,000 Budget Source: State of Oregon, NOAA, FEMA, USGS, as well as private funds from Native American commercial activities
	What are the program’s annual operational costs and source(s) of funding?
	$80,000 Budget Source: State of Oregon, federal and private funds
6.	How many employees (full-time equivalent) work(ed) with this program?
	.65 FTE
7.	To the best of your knowledge, did this program originate in your state?
	Yes
	Are you aware of similar programs in other states?
	Yes
8.	Has the program been fully implemented?
	No
	If No, what actions remain to be taken?
	Podium placement on the beaches is being done community by community as funds become available. Curriculum implementation in the schools is a continuing effort.
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).
	There has been public polling that shows an increase in awareness of the tsunami hazard---especially in the schools.
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 pace has accelerated and new products are added as it has expanded, especially to other states. Work is constantly required to help people appreciate the magnitude of the potential hazard.
11.	Additional Comments
	There are two points that I would like to bring to the attention of the awards committee:
	The evaluation of this project, while not unique, has been effective and has been produced in language that can be understood by political entities, the general public, teachers and the school children of the state. It is straightforward and clear.
	Ms. Karel and her colleagues have been most generous in sharing their program concepts, design and implementation practices with others. Further, they have hosted visits from around the country for people who might benefit from seeing their work "in action". Other parts of the nation may not be exposed to the tsunami hazard; however, valuable lessons have been learned in Oregon about how to develop programs that will be used and that will result in a more informed, and thus safer, populace.