Program Name Quake Cottage Outreach Program
Administering Agency Alaska Division of Emergency Services
Contact R. Scott Simmons, State Hazard Mitigation Officer,
Earthquake Program Manager
Address P. O. Box 5750, Fort Richardson, AK 99505-5750
Telephone Number 907-428-7016
Fax Number 907-428-7009
E-mail scott_simmons@ak-prepared.com
The Alaska Division of
Emergency Services purchased the Quake Cottage in partnership with the
Municipality of Anchorage and other corporate sponsors (TOTEM Ocean
Trailer Express Inc., University of Alaska Fairbanks/Geophysical
Institute, West Coast/Alaska Tsunami Warning Center, National Weather
Service, Volcano Observatory, and American Red Cross to name a few). This
educational opportunity is made available for use throughout Alaska.
The Cottage is a mobile earthquake simulator that rests on an 18˝ foot
tandem-axle trailer designed to replicate up to an 8.0 magnitude
earthquake. It is used to demonstrate the potential effects of an
earthquake on interior, non-structural parts of a building, and to allow
people to feel the force of a calculated strength, simulated earthquake.
People can sit in the Cottage to experience the event, while outside
observers can also view the effects through the large side window.
The Cottage’s primary role is to stimulate disaster preparedness through
education, but it also motivates mitigation of the hazardous situations
portrayed in the Cottage. At the conclusion of the simulation,
participants and onlookers have the opportunity to discuss emergency
preparedness with experts from emergency management/response agencies,
review disaster preparedness brochures and information, and discuss
methods to eliminate non-structural hazards. An additional benefit is
derived when the Cottage is taken to the State's universities where
engineering and architecture students see and experience the need for good
design and construction considerations prior to graduating and entering
their respective fields.
The interior is designed to resemble a typical family room. It features a
fully equipped entertainment center, seating for three people, a computer
system mounted in and on a base cabinet, an upper wall cabinet with doors,
an entertainment center with working television, stereo components and
books, and decorative framed art. All components are seismically fastened
to protect the occupants and demonstrate how violent, yet survivable, a
major earthquake can be. The books placed on the entertainment center's
shelves allow a visual presentation of exactly what can occur during the
shaking.
The Cottage is mounted on eight coil springs. Cammed heavy-duty steel
rollers connected to a two horsepower commercial-grade electric motor
actuate the “quaking and shaking”. It can be used inside or outside of a
building but must be attached and stabilized by a tug or truck and is
powered by standard 220-volt electrical service or a portable generator.
It can be transported by road, ferry, or cargo plane, and set-up time is
minimal.
The Cottage has made
annual appearances and demonstrations at the Alaska State Fair-Palmer, the
Ninilchik Fair, the Tanana Valley Fair, the Kodiak Island Crab Festival,
The Kenai Peninsula Home Show, the Kenai Peninsula Veterans Picnic, The
(Alaska) Governor's Picnic, The Elmendorf Air Force Base Air Show,
elementary schools, middle and high schools, various colleges and
universities throughout the State, and the annual Alaska State Emergency
Management Conferences. Media coverage generated by the unit's presence at
these activities further supports the preparedness and mitigation
activities of the State.
