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Earthquake Response and Planning

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Submitted By cwalsh1112
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Introduction

On April 22, 2015 ScienceDaily released a news article that discussed the potential consequences of an earthquake on the west coast. This article references a recent report from the Seismological Society of America which has estimated that 143 million Americans living in the United States are exposed to the hazards of an earthquake (Seismological 2015). This report further estimates that the average long-term value of building losses from earthquakes is $4.5 billion per year with the majority of these losses coming from California, Oregon, and Washington (Seismological 2015). The Seismological Society of America estimates that 28 million Americans will experience an earthquake that will generate enough sufficient shaking to bring about moderate to severe harm. This investigation revealed that more than 6,000 fire stations, 800 doctor's facilities, and about 20,000 open and private schools are vulnerable to earthquakes in California(Seismological 2015).Furthermore, this weekend has been filled with news about the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck Nepal killing an estimated 900 people and injuring more than 1,500 (Strong 2015). This earthquake has forced Nepal to declare a state of an emergency. This recent news has caused much discussion about what individuals and business can do to plan and be prepared for an emergency. This paper will provide recommendations on what can be done to prepare adequately for an earthquake and how the use of digital images can enhance emergency response/notification.

Planning for an Earthquake

When planning for an earthquake emergency, business and individuals view the dangers within the unique context of the impact on the institution and the community. Thus, a fact that may be a simple “nuisance” for a large industry can be a “disaster” for a small business. In this context, having an emergency plan is essential.

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