FEMA announces ‘QuakeSmart’ project to help businesses with earthquake risk management

FEMA has announced that it is partnering with the Safe America Foundation to develop ‘QuakeSmart’, a new initiative designed to encourage business leaders and owners in areas of the US that are at risk from earthquakes to take actions that will mitigate damage to their businesses, provide greater safety for customers and employees, and speed recovery in the event of an earthquake.

The goal of QuakeSmart is to build awareness within the business community of the risk and to educate businesses, particularly small and emerging businesses, on the relatively simple things they can do to reduce or mitigate the impact of earthquakes, and support community preparedness.

The effort will begin with a series of QuakeSmart Community Forums in several cities in the Midwest and on the West Coast. The first four forums will be conducted in Monterey, Calif.; Reno, Nev.; Evansville, Ind.; and Cape Girardeau, Mo. All four events will be held in September to coincide with National Preparedness Month.

Post-event surveys will be used to evaluate the program's effectiveness and to make modifications to increase the usefulness of subsequent QuakeSmart materials.

For further information about the program or to learn how to register for a forum contact Henry Munford at henry.munford@safeamerica.org or visit www.quakesmart.org

•Date: 17th July 2008• Region: US •Type: Article •Topic: DR general
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