Earthquake and Tsunami policy

Earthquake relief

• Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA), through the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP), support and subsidize local and state programs that educate, prevent, and relieve.
• California Earthquake Authority (CEA), a publicly run, privately financed coalition of insurance organizations, provide insurance stability to California.

Northridge Earthquake relief

• CA Governor’s Office of Emergency Services sent in the National Guard to assist,
• CA OES used the Standardized Emergency Management System to send in assistance from different organizations in the government,
• U.S. government provided $11 billion assistance,
• NEHRP (National Earthquake Hazard Reduction Program) mobilized to assist in long-term recovery of region.

Tsunami relief

• Only two coastal communities address tsunami hazard management in coastal management plans. Another two addressed it in their emergency operations plans. Another four addressed it in stand-alone mitigation plans.
• The U.S. West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Center conduct community preparedness programs which provides advice and training sessions to coastal citizens and emergency managers to aid. They aim to teach safety procedures, safe areas, and the limitation of the tsunami warning system

Indonesian Tsunami relief

• In Indonesia: One seismometer, a few tide gauges, low telecom communications.
• In U.S.A.: Many seismometers, many tide gauges, deep-sea tsunameters, high telecom communication.
• Local police, local survivors, and international volunteers were first aid.
• Mosques functioned as shelter and communication centers (PA systems).

Commonalities

• Neither tsunamis nor earthquakes can be detected early enough to make a large difference in damage control,
• In both disasters, immediate local response is key to survival,
• Education is important in protecting people,

Consequences

• All relief is expensive,
• Not enough relief is prepared for tsunamis,
• Not enough education is provided for tsunamis,
• Tsunamis are especially harmful to property owners, since insurance is not available,

Recommendations

• Institute insurance for tsunamis in the western coast of the U.S. and Hawaii.
• Education is key to survival.