Advanced search    Help

Clear all search criteria

Only 2/3! You are seeing results from the Public Collection, not the complete Full Collection. Sign in to search everything (see eligibility).

• Seismic Waves: From Prescriptive to Predictive

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  Seismic Waves is a newsletter published by the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program. The topic in this edition of Seismic Waves is moving from prescriptive to predictive building codes. "Prescriptive building codes and standards, which specify types of materials that must be used and how they must be designed and constructed, govern the design of most new buildings in the United States. Buildings designed in accordance with such regulations provide 'life safety' for their occupants. This means that occupants will normally be able to exit these buildings safely after earthquakes as powerful as those planned for in their designs. However, costly damage may still occur. Direct costs can accrue through needed repairs or, worse, demolition and replacement. Moreover, the buildings may not be able to accommodate their former occupants and functions for some time. These effects can greatly impact the resilience of a community, that is, its ability to 'bounce back' to prior levels of economic and social activity."

  National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (U.S.)

  2011-03
• Seismic Waves: New Madrid Bicentennial Boosts Awareness and Planning

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  Seismic Waves is a newsletter published by the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program. The topic in this edition of Seismic Waves is how New Madrid bicentennial boosts awareness and planning. "Anniversaries have the power to temporarily open minds to new thoughts linked to past events. The anniversaries of major earthquakes have become windows of opportunity for promoting awareness of seismic hazards and reduction of associated risks. Planning, which is the foundation of effective risk reduction, has become a prime focus of these observances."

  National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (U.S.)

  2011-06
• Going the Distance: The U.S. Tsunami Relief Effort

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  "On December 26, 2004, a magnitude 9.0 earthquake off the, west coast of Northern Sumatra, Indonesia, triggered a tsunami -- a series of giant waves -- that inundated coastal areas of Indonesia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, India, and Malaysia, as well as Indian Ocean islands, and parts of East Africa. Both the American people and the U.S government responded with massive support for the people swept up in the terrible tragedy of the earthquake and tsunami."

  United States. Department of State

  2005
• USAID/INDIA - Strategic Objective Close-out Report

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  "On January 26th, 2001, the Gujarat state of India was hit by a devastating earthquake, measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale. It affected 7,633 villages and towns in 21 districts, affecting more than 15 million people, killed almost 20,000 and left around 600,000 homeless. It is estimated that infrastructure worth $453 million was damaged. Following the immediate relief phase, USAID/India recognized the longer term need for rehabilitation and recovery and launched the Gujarat Earthquake Recovery Initiative. A new special objective: 'Recovery, Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Needs Met for Target Vulnerable Groups' was approved in March, 2001."

  United States. Agency for International Development

  2002
• Statement from Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano [January 15, 2010]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  "'As part of the Department's ongoing efforts to assist Haiti following Tuesday's devastating earthquake, I am announcing the designation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian nationals who were in the United States as of January 12, 2010. This is a disaster of historic proportions and this designation will allow eligible Haitian nationals in the United States to continue living and working in our country for the next 18 months. Providing a temporary refuge for Haitian nationals who are currently in the United States and whose personal safety would be endangered by returning to Haiti is part of this Administration's continuing efforts to support Haiti's recovery.' 'At this moment of tragedy in Haiti it is tempting for people suffering in the aftermath of the earthquake to seek refuge elsewhere. But attempting to leave Haiti now will only bring more hardship to the Haitian people and nation. The international community has rallied to deliver relief to Haiti. Much has already arrived and much more is on its way. The Haitians are resilient and determined and their role in addressing this crisis in their homeland will be essential to Haiti's future.' 'It is important to note that TPS will apply only to those individuals who were in the United States as of January 12, 2010. Those who attempt to travel to the United States after January 12, 2010 will not be eligible for TPS and will be repatriated.'"

  United States. Office of the White House Press Secretary

  2010-01-15
• Haiti Reconstruction: USAID Has Achieved Mixed Results and Should Enhance Sustainability Planning, Report to Congressional Requesters

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  "On January 12, 2010, an earthquake struck Haiti, the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, causing an estimated 230,000 deaths and displacing about 2 million persons. According to the Department of State, U.S. government agencies have allocated $4 billion to earthquake-related efforts, including $2.7 billion for reconstruction. U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), which is responsible for over half of reconstruction funding, has directed its efforts to eight sectors: energy, shelter, ports, education, governance and rule of law, economic security, health, and food security. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review U.S. reconstruction efforts in Haiti. This report examines (1) USAID's allocations, obligations, and disbursements of reconstruction funding; (2) USAID/Haiti's progress in implementing planned reconstruction activities; and (3) USAID/Haiti's efforts to ensure the sustainability of these activities. GAO analyzed funding data; reviewed documents; interviewed U.S. officials in Washington, D.C., and Haiti; and visited reconstruction activity sites. GAO focused its review on 23 key activities, each with allocations exceeding $10 million. GAO recommends that USAID/Haiti perform sustainability analyses for noninfrastructure activities during design. GAO also recommends that USAID provide guidance for indentifying projects for which sustainability must be certified and specifying information that these certifications should include. USAID agreed with GAO's recommendations."

  United States. Government Accountability Office

  2015-06-03
• Exercise Pacific Wave 06: A Pacific-Wide Tsunami Warning and Communications Exercise, 16-17 May 2006

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  "The purpose of the exercise is to evaluate the ability of Pacific countries to respond to an ocean wide tsunami. The exercise provides an opportunity for Pacific Countries to exercise their operational lines of communications, review their tsunami response procedures, and to promote emergency preparedness. Each country can participate in one of two tsunami scenarios over the 16-17 May period. The first scenario will initiate from an earthquake in the eastern Pacific; and a second scenario will initiate from an earthquake in the western Pacific."

  United States. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

  2006-05
• Hazard Mitigation Assistance: Mitigation Action Portfolio

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  From the Introduction and Background: "In recent years, Americans have witnessed the enormous and devastating effects of hurricanes, floods, wildfires, earthquakes, and other events. The increasing duration, intensity, and severity of such disasters--which are exacerbated by changes in population, land use, and weather patterns--are alarming and highlight one of the most important emergency management challenges facing the United States. [...] In response to these alarming impacts, the Mitigation Framework Leadership Group, which includes representatives from the federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial governments and is chaired by FEMA, produced the National Mitigation Investment Strategy. The National Mitigation Investment Strategy is a single national strategy for advancing mitigation investment to reduce risks posed by--and increase the nation's resilience to--natural hazards, such as sea level rise, droughts, tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, wildfires, and earthquakes. The Investment Strategy encourages the whole community, including individuals, to invest in pre- and post-disaster mitigation by adopting the Investment Strategy's three shared goals: [1] Show how mitigation investments reduce risk; [2] Coordinate mitigation investments to reduce risk; [and 3] Make mitigation investments standard practice[.] This portfolio showcases mitigation projects to provide practitioners with examples of activities that integrate the Investment Strategy's goals and reflect the guiding principles of the Disaster Recovery Reform Act of 2018 (DRRA)."

  United States. Federal Emergency Management Agency

  2020-08
• EMR-ISAC: InfoGram, Volume 21 Issue 6, February 11, 2021

  Show summary     Open resource [html]     (open full abstract)

  The Emergency Management and Response Information Sharing and Analysis Center's (EMR-ISAC) InfoGram is a weekly publication of information concerning the protection of critical infrastructures relevant to members of the Emergency Services Sector. This issue includes the following articles: "IC [incident commander] to IC Network offers peer support after a line-of-duty death"; "CDC [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] supports SLTT [state, local, territorial, and tribal] vaccine programs with updated operational guidance and National Forum on COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] Vaccine Feb. 22-24"; "Earthquake resilience technology webinar and guidance for Earthquake Awareness Month"; "Webinars: FEMA accepting spring nominations for exercise assistance"; "Five critical questions raised by water treatment facility hack"; "Scammers selling fake COVID-19 vaccination cards for just $20"; "Microsoft to add 'Nation-State Activity Alerts' to Defender"; and "SolarWinds attack reinforces importance of Principle of Least Privilege."

  Emergency Management and Response-Information Sharing and Analysis Center (U.S.)

  2021-02-11
• Policy Recommendations on Haiti for the Biden Administration, Hearing Before the Committee on Foreign Affairs, House of Representatives, One Hundred Seventeenth Congress, First Session, March 12, 2021

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  This is the March 12, 2021 hearing on "Policy Recommendations on Haiti for the Biden Administration," held before the U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs. From the opening statement of Gregory Meeks: "It has been more than 11 years since Haiti suffered the devastating earthquake that killed hundreds of thousands, displaced more than a million people, and cost billions of dollars in damage. I am grateful that there is a continued U.S. assistance to Haiti, and I am inspired by the resilience of the Haitian people. We must sadly recognize that the situation in Haiti has continued to deteriorate in the decades since the earthquake. [...] Today, Haiti faces a multi-pronged crisis. President Moise has ruled by decree for 14 months. Top government officials have been sanctioned by the U.S. Government for committing human rights violations. And Haitian parents are afraid to send their children to school or travel to work, not just because of the pandemic, but because kidnappings and gang violence has spiraled out of control. [...] How the United States responds to these challenges early on will play a pivotal role in establishing buy-in and trust from Haitian civil society and the Haitian people at large." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Emmanuela Douyon, Guerline Jozef, Rosy Auguste, and Pamela W. White.

  United States. Government Publishing Office

  2021
• Seismic Verification of Nuclear Testing Treaties

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  Like an earthquake, the force of an underground nuclear explosion creates seismic waves that travel through the Earth. A satisfactory seismic network to monitor such tests must be able to both detect and identify seismic signals in the presence of "noise," for example, from natural earthquakes. In the case of monitoring a treaty that limits testing below a certain size explosion, the seismic network must also be able to estimate the size with acceptable accuracy. All of this must be done with an assured capability to defeat adequately any credible attempt to evade or spoof the monitoring network. This report addresses the issues of detection, identification, yield estimation, and evasion to arrive at answers to the two critical questions: (1) Down to what size explosion can underground testing be seismically monitored with high confidence? (2)How accurately can the yields of underground explosions be measured? In doing so, we assessed the contribution that could be made if seismic stations were located in the country whose tests are to be monitored, and other cooperative provisions that a treaty might include.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  United States. Congress. Office of Technology Assessment

  1988-05
• Analysis of United States Naval Participation in Operation Tomodachi: Humanitarian and Disaster Relief in the Tsunami-Stricken Japanese Mainland

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  From the thesis abstract: "The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) has engaged in many humanitarian efforts over the years, such as the 2004 Indonesian tsunami and the 2010 Haitian earthquake. As military personnel are deployed around the globe, the DoD is in a good position to respond when called upon. The 2011 National Military Strategy focuses on maintaining a global presence to protect our national interest. The strategy further stressed the importance of force preparedness to support and respond to humanitarian crises. On March 11, 2011, this ability was tested when Japan was struck by a 9.0-magnitude quake followed by a subsequent tsunami. This project analyzes the U.S. naval response to the humanitarian crisis that resulted from the Tohoku earthquake and subsequent tsunami as part of Operation Tomodachi."

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)

  Kaczur, Alexander; Joloya, Edelio; Aurelio, Jayson

  2012-06
• Role of the U.S. Geological Survey and the U.S. Forest Service in Preparing for and Responding to Natural Hazard Events, As Well as the Current Status of Mapping and Monitoring Systems, Hearing Before the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, United States Senate, One Hundred Fifteenth Congress, Second Session, January 30, 2018

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  This is the January 30, 2018 hearing on "Role of the U.S. Geological Survey and the U.S. Forest Service in Preparing for and Responding to Natural Hazard Events, As Well as the Current Status of Mapping and Monitoring Systems," held before the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. From the Opening Statement of Lisa Murkowski: "Our focus this morning is on volcanoes, earthquakes, landslides, tsunamis, and avalanches--natural hazards that many Americans experience on a somewhat regular basis and the measures being taken to minimize risks from those hazards. [...] The good news is that our federal, state, and local partners are developing the tools and maps needed to better understand these natural hazards, in an effort to give more advanced warning to communities in danger. Those include seismic monitors for earthquakes, elevation mapping to mark out slopes vulnerable to landslides, cameras on volcanoes, sensors along rivers and coasts, and tidal monitors to help detect tsunamis. Some operations are, of course, more advanced than others. [...] This morning, we will learn about the need for better monitoring and mapping to provide as much of a warning of natural hazards events as possible and to reduce impacts to life and property." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: David Applegate, Glenn Casamassa, Pat Branson, David K. Norman, Michael West, and Karen Berry.

  United States. Government Publishing Office

  2020
• Research & Experimentation for Local & International Emergency First Responders (RELIEF) Quick Look Report: RELIEF 12-4, 13-17 August 2012

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  This Research & Experimentation for Local & International Emergency & First-Responders (RELIEF) "Quick Look Report" examines a number of experiments performed between November 2-4, 2011. Experiments reviewed in this report include: "Small UAV [unmanned aerial vehicle] Deployable Communications Relay"; "Deployable Interoperable Infrastructure"; "Deployable Airborne Cellular"; "Range Networks"; "Managing Large Scale Wifi Deployments in Disaster Zones"; "Mutualink"; "Portable Terminal with Exede Ka-Band Satellite Service"; "Tracker-enhanced GEOINT [geospatial intelligence] for Closed Loop Disaster Rescue Victim Targeting - Chaos Collaborative"; "Imagery Needs to Focus on Operational Risk Management (INFORM)"; "Cloud Based Solution for Situational Awareness and Analysis"; "Earthquake Emergency Response Exercise"; "EOC [Emergency Operations Center] in a Box"; "Sensor Island"; "Frontier FFT [Fast Fourier Transforms]"; "DART 20"; "Rapid, High Spatial Resolution Image Assessment of Post-Earthquake Damage"; "Direct Imagery Tasking and Dissemination"; "Accelerating Imagery Collection with Manned Aircraft"; "Open Source HA/DR [high availability disaster recovery] Software Security Evaluation"; "Humanitarian Emergency Response Operations (HERO) Virtual Logistics"; "Small Team Power in Support of Single Fuel Forward Initiative"; "Man Portable Flex Fuel Generator"; "Disaster Response Applications for Energy-Dense High-Power Li/CFx [lithium carbon monofluoride] Batteries"; "Mobile Renewable Water Source"; "Social Media Dashboard"; "Crowdsourcing Flood and Damage Polygons"; "Real-Time Streams for Criticality Analysis"; "Lightweight Compact Evacuation Litter"; "Medical Sensor Technology"; "First Responder m-Health and Digital Exam Kit Field Testing"; "Explosive Remnants of War Collection Points (ERW-CP)"; and "Infrastructure as a System".

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)

  2012-08-13
• Pediatric/Neonatal Disaster and Medical Surge Plan and Preparedness Toolkit

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  "The events of the Katrina Hurricane (2005), H1N1 Pandemic Flu (2009), Haiti Earthquake (2010) and Japan Earthquake/Tsunami/Nuclear Crisis (2011) demonstrate the need for a strong collaborative approach integrating newborns, infants and children into disaster planning. The resources required for the care of neonates and children are limited and regionally distributed. Successful neonatal and pediatric all-hazard preparedness relies on a strong network of committed public health agencies, emergency medical services, hospitals and communities. First steps to effective response include preserving bed capacity, competency and equipment to support a system of emergency care for infants and children within the county under normal conditions. […] The next step to providing effective disaster preparedness involves the practice of including neonates and pediatrics in all county, provider agency and hospital-based disaster exercises."

  Contra Costa County (Calif.). Health Services Department

  2011-05
• Formulating a Strategic Response Plan For a High-Risk Seismic Event In New York City

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  From the thesis abstract: "One of the lessons the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) has learned from the attacks of September 11, 2001, is to be prepared for the inevitable. As one of the world's most renowned emergency response agencies, the FDNY can and should be the model of preparedness for any disaster that may affect New York City (NYC). Historical and scientific data confirms the very real threat of a low frequency, high risk earthquake affecting the NYC region. Potential for devastation is compounded due to the complexity of NYC's infrastructure and the vast population unfamiliar with this type of natural disaster. The formulation of an FDNY pre-plan for a high-risk earthquake scenario based on extensive information-gathering and the assembly of a dedicated focus group will lessen the impact of a powerful quake while minimizing losses to lives, property and emergency responders themselves. By being prepared for the seemingly inevitable, the FDNY can live up to its role as one of the world's most respected emergency response agencies."

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)

  Barvels, Michael B.

  2013-03
• Nuclear Power Plant Sites: Maps of Seismic Hazards and Population Centers [March 29, 2011]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  "Currently, 104 commercial nuclear power plants operate on 64 sites in the 48 contiguous United States. Sixty-nine of the 104 are pressurized water reactors (PWR) and the 35 remaining are boiling water reactors (BWR). The PWR plants are based on Babcock & Wilcox, Combustion Engineering, and Westinghouse designs. The BWR plants are based on a series of General Electric designs. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has received 28 Combined License (COL) applications for new reactors based on advanced reactor designs (Table 2). Three COL applications will involve new sites. CRS determined the coordinates of plant sites using web-based applications and overlaid the sites on base maps of: 1. Quaternary faults, 2. Seismic hazards in terms of percent gravitational acceleration, 3. Levels of horizontal ground shaking (gravitational acceleration) that have a 2-in- 100 (2%) probability of being exceeded in a 50-year period, and 4. Metropolitan populations To map the proximity of plant sites to faults (Figure 1), CRS referred to the USGS Quaternary Fault and Fold Database of the United States. This database contains information on faults and associated folds in the United States that are believed to be sources of greater than magnitude 6 (M>6) earthquakes during the Quaternary (the past 1,600,000 years). It is important to note that this map is not a prediction of an earthquake event."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Andrews, Anthony

  2011-03-29
• Chile: Political and Economic Conditions and U.S. Relations [September 22, 2010]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  "In the two decades since the country emerged from dictatorship, Chile has consistently maintained friendly relations with the United States. Serving as a reliable--if not always very public--ally, Chile has worked with the United States to advance democracy, human rights, and free trade in the Western Hemisphere. Chile and the United States also maintain strong commercial ties. Trade has more than doubled to over $15 billion since the implementation of a bilateral free trade agreement in 2004, and an income tax treaty designed to boost private sector investment was signed in February 2010 and is awaiting submission to the U.S. Senate for ratification. Additional areas of cooperation between the United States and Chile include renewable energy and regional security issues. [...] The 111th Congress has expressed interest in several issues in U.S.-Chile relations. In March 2010, the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives passed resolutions (S.Res. 431 and H.Res. 1144) expressing sympathy for the victims of the country's February 27 earthquake and solidarity with the people of Chile. The House also passed legislation (H.R. 4783, Levin) to accelerate income tax benefits for charitable cash contributions for earthquake relief in Chile. Other resolutions have been introduced to express support for the Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas, including clean energy cooperation with Chile (H.Res. 1526), and to honor the bicentennial of the call for independence in Chile and several other Latin American nations (H.Res. 1619).This report provides a brief historical background of Chile, examines recent political and economic developments, and addresses issues in U.S.-Chilean relations."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Meyer, Peter J.

  2010-09-22
• Haiti Under President Martelly: Current Conditions and Congressional Concerns [August 1, 2012]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  "Haiti shares the island of Hispaniola with the Dominican Republic. Since the fall of the Duvalier dictatorship in 1986, Haiti has struggled to overcome its centuries-long legacy of authoritarianism, extreme poverty, and underdevelopment. During that time, economic and social stability improved considerably, and many analysts believed Haiti was turning a corner toward sustainable development. Unfortunately, Haiti's development was set back by a massive earthquake in January 2010 that devastated much of the capital of Port-au-Prince and other parts of the country. Poverty remains massive and deep, and economic disparity is wide: Haiti remains the poorest country in the western hemisphere. […] The main priorities for U.S. policy regarding Haiti are to strengthen fragile democratic processes, continue to improve security, and promote economic development. Other concerns include the cost and effectiveness of U.S. aid; protecting human rights; combating narcotics, arms, and human trafficking; and alleviating poverty. The Obama Administration granted Temporary Protected Status to Haitians living in the United States at the time of the earthquake. Congressional concerns include the pace and effectiveness of reconstruction; respect for human rights, particularly for women; counternarcotics efforts; and security issues. Congress is also concerned that overdue Senate and local elections, which the government says will be held by year's end, be scheduled and be free, fair, and peaceful."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Taft-Morales, Maureen

  2012-08-01
• Haiti Under President Martelly: Current Conditions and Congressional Concerns [June 6, 2012]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  "Haiti is the Obama Administration's top priority in the Latin America and Caribbean region. Haiti's developmental needs and priorities are many. The Haitian government and the international donor community are implementing a 10-year recovery plan focusing on territorial, economic, social, and institutional rebuilding. An outbreak of cholera later in 2010 has swept across most of the country and further complicated assistance efforts after the earthquake.The main priorities for U.S. policy regarding Haiti are to strengthen fragile democratic processes, continue to improve security, and promote economic development. Other concerns include the cost and effectiveness of U.S. aid; protecting human rights; combating narcotics, arms, and human trafficking; and alleviating poverty. The Obama Administration granted Temporary Protected Status to Haitians living in the United States at the time of the earthquake. [...] Congressional concerns include the pace and effectiveness of reconstruction; respect for human rights, particularly for women; counternarcotics efforts; and security issues. Congress is also concerned that overdue Senate and local elections be scheduled and be free, fair, and peaceful."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Taft-Morales, Maureen

  2012-06-06
• Oversight Hearing: NRC's Implementation of Recommendations for Enhancing Nuclear Reactor Safety in the 21st Century: Hearing Before the United States Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, Subcommittee on Clean Air and Nuclear Safety, One Hundred Twelfth Congress, Second Session, September 12, 2012

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  This testimony compilation is from the September 12, 2012 hearing, "Oversight Hearing: NRC's Implementation of Recommendations for Enhancing Nuclear Reactor Safety in the 21st Century," before the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, Subcommittee on Clean Air and Nuclear Safety. From the opening statement of Barbara Boxer: "Today, the Environment and Public Works Committee is holding its seventh oversight meeting on the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) since the earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear meltdown in Japan in March 2011. The consequences of the terrible events in Japan have prompted us to rethink how to ensure safety at the 104 nuclear reactors in the United States. Last year, the NRC created a Task Force to review our nation's safety requirements, and that Task Force made 12 recommendations to help prevent a similar disaster at nuclear facilities in the U.S. Earlier this year, the NRC sent three orders to nuclear plants requiring high-priority safety improvements: the acquisition and protection of emergency equipment, better monitoring of spent fuel pools, and improved venting at boiling water reactors to help maintain containment in the case of an emergency. The NRC also directed nuclear plants to take other actions, including reanalyzing earthquake and flooding risks and reassessing their ability to safely operate following such events. In addition, the Commission issued two notices of proposed rulemaking: one concerning steps that plants should take if they lose electric power, and the other on ways to improve nuclear plants' emergency procedures." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Barbara Boxer, Thomas R. Carper, James M. Inhofe, Allison M. Macfarlane, Kristine L. Svinicki, George Apostolakis, William D. Magwood, IV, and William C. Ostendorff.

  United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Environment and Public Works

  2012-09-12
• Project Safe Haven: Tsunami Vertical Evacuation Systems on Washington State's Pacific Coast

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  From the Summary: "Washington State's Pacific coast faces the threat of large-scale earthquakes and tsunamis. To mitigate the risk, Washington is providing technical assistance to cities, counties, and tribes for construction of the Nation's first vertical evacuation structures capable of withstanding 9.0+ magnitude earthquakes and 30-foot waves. The project provides residents and visitors in coastal population centers a means of seeking safety without having to travel considerable distance to natural high ground."

  United States. Federal Emergency Management Agency

  2021-02-11
• Short-Period Building Collapse Performance and Recommendations for Improving Seismic Design: Volume 1 -- Overarching Findings, Conclusions, and Recommendations

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  From the Introduction: "This report summarizes the approaches, analyses, findings, conclusions, and recommendations for a series of studies on the gap between analytically predicted and historically observed earthquake-induced collapse rates for short-period buildings. It also presents a common understanding of the response behavior and collapse performance of short-period buildings subjected to strong earthquake ground motions. The Applied Technology Council (ATC) was commissioned by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to conduct these studies as part of the ATC-116 Project series, 'Solutions to the Issue of Short Period Building Performance.'"

  United States. Federal Emergency Management Agency; National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (U.S.)

  2020-11
• Facing Floods and Fires: Emergency Preparedness for Natural Disasters in Native Communities, Hearing Before the Committee on Indian Affairs, United States Senate, One Hundred Twelfth Congress, First Session, July 21, 2011

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  From the opening statement of Daniel K. Akaka: "This is an incredibly important issue to Tribes and Native peoples. In just the past few months, Native communities in New Mexico, Montana, Washington, Nebraska, and South Dakota have faced floods, fires, tornadoes, and severe storms. Lives were lost, homes destroyed, and sacred sites endangered. Pertinent to the hearing, the monitor displayed pictures of disasters. A map displayed also shows many of the natural disasters in Native communities over the past 10 years. I think we can all agree that these visuals are very, very moving. I have a lifetime of experience in dealing with effects of natural disasters. In the middle of the Pacific Ocean, Hawaii can be affected by disasters all around the Pacific Rim. Hawaii was reminded of its vulnerability in March when a tsunami warning and evacuations were issued following the devastating earthquake in Japan. Small tropical storms can quickly turn into hurricanes and devastate whole communities and islands. Hawaii also experiences thousands of earthquakes from volcanic activity every year. They can cause loss of life, property, and electricity throughout the islands. Disasters like these can have lasting effects on people and can undermine our sense of community and safety." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Daniel K. Akaka, John Barrasso, John Hoeven, Mike Johanns, Tim Johnson, Lisa Murkowski, Jon Tester, Tom Udall, Michael S. Black, Walter Dasheno, Craig Fugate, Randy Grinnell, John R. McMahon, Fred Tombar, Mary Wagner, Clifford Cultee, Randy King, Perry Martinez, Kent Paul, Robert Pecos, Chad Smith, and Arch Super.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2012
• Critical Infrastructure Protection: Comprehensive Strategy Can Draw on Year 2000 Experiences, Report to the Chairman, Special Committee on the Year 2000 Technology Problem, U.S. Senate

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  The nation's computer-based critical infrastructures are at increasing risk of severe disruption. Interconnectivity increases the risk that problems affecting one system will also affect other interconnected systems. Although these problems could be caused by natural disasters, such as earthquakes, and system-inducted problems, such as the Year 2000 conversion problem, government officials are increasingly concerned about attacks from individuals and groups with malicious intentions, such as terrorists and nations engaged in information warfare. Critical systems could be disrupted, sensitive data could be read or copied, and data or processes could be tampered with. A significant concern is that terrorists or hostile foreign states could target critical systems, such as those supporting energy distribution, telecommunications, and financial services, in order to harm the public welfare. The need to strengthen computer security in both government and the private sector has been recognized over the past several years by many groups, including GAO, and several steps have been taken to address the problem. During 1996 and 1997, federal information security was addressed by the President's Commission on Critical Infrastructure Protection, which had been created to investigate the country's vulnerability to both "cyber" and physical threats. A 1998 Presidential directive recognizes that overcoming computer-based threats to the country's critical infrastructures requires new approach involving coordination and cooperation across federal agencies and among public and private sector groups and other nations.

  United States. General Accounting Office

  1999-10-01
• CDC Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response: Strategic National Stockpile (SNS)

  Show summary     Open resource [html]     (open full abstract)

  "CDC's Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) has large quantities of medicine and medical supplies to protect the American public if there is a public health emergency (terrorist attack, flu outbreak, earthquake) severe enough to cause local supplies to run out. Once Federal and local authorities agree that the SNS is needed, medicines will be delivered to any state in the U.S. in time for them to be effective. Each state has plans to receive and distribute SNS medicine and medical supplies to local communities as quickly as possible."

  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)

  2002-12-08
• Analysis of Disaster Planning in Business and Industry

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  "Business and industry of all sizes are susceptible to damage or destruction from natural disasters and man-made catastrophes. Newspapers describe daily the loss of life, suffering, and costly damages caused by tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, fires, chemical spills, and so on. Media coverage of these events has brought significant pressure upon federal, state, and local authorities to plan for disasters, and respond quickly and decisively. This is particularly true in regard to relieving human suffering, as was the case with the August 1992 Hurricane Andrew disaster and subsequent massive response effort in Florida. But what about U.S. business and industry? Are they prepared for disasters? Should they plan? What is business resumption planning? What can they do to be ready? Is insurance enough? What are the risks, the costs, and what should government do to assist? I will address these questions in this paper. Further, I will make recommendations in regard to U.S. policies, and suggest changes for business and industry to adopt in regard to disaster planning."

  Industrial College of the Armed Forces (U.S.)

  Hoffmann, Donald B.

  1993
• Patriot's Progress: September 11 and Freedom in America

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  Anything can happen. It was the lesson of September 11. Where were you on September 11? More to the point, where were you on September 10? The sudden movements of life, like those of the free mind, remain out of our control. Patriotism itself in the free country is out of control--anger, grief, sympathy, mutual appreciation, criticism, self-doubt, amusement, swerving to dreaminess, and individual independence. What can happen to a nation can happen to a state of mind, particularly in a country that is created out of a state of mind. If we were learning anything so far, it was that freedom was more difficult and complicated than we had ever dreamed. Where were we in our own country? Where were we in relation to the rest of the world? We do not like to think about the rest of the world very much. Big business likes to think of the world as customers. But for the rest of us, the great wide world has merely become the place where floods and earthquakes happen far away, especially since Russia has transmogrified from menace to (sort of) friend. If we had been more aware of the Muslim world, people told us, we could have anticipated September 11, if not prevented it. If we were more aware of our enemies in the world, we were told, we could raise them from poverty and from their ignorance about us--how wonderful we are, when you get to know us, how decent, fair-minded, how playful. In sum, our alertness to the conditions and attitudes of the wider world probably did nothing to draw us closer to it--except, in the most watery wishful thinking. America, we concluded, and rightly in my view, did nothing to deserve the murderous attacks on our people. If education would help in the future, by all means, let's all get educated. But that was a separable matter from the mad decisions of zealots. We are sure that we mean something worthwhile to ourselves and to others, that we have good reasons to survive and to triumph, and we will look for more.

  United States. Department of State

  Rosenblatt, Roger

  2002-09
• Marine Corps Support to Civil Authorities

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  The purpose of this order is to provide Marine Corps policy, planning guidance and assignment of responsibilities in response to requests for assistance from civil authorities during presidential declared or undeclared disasters and domestic emergencies per references (a) through (h) in this document. Included are provisions for domestic emergencies including: (a) Natural disasters including earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, typhoons, storms, floods, wildland fires, wind driven waters, tidal waves (tsunami) or other catastrophes; (b) A civil disturbance in which group acts of violence and disorder prejudice public law and order; (c) Attacks on the United States, its territories, or possessions; and (d) Terrorist acts.

  United States. Department of Defense

  1998-10-13
• Emergency Funding to Respond to the September 11th Terrorist Attacks

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  The supplemental appropriations bill provides $40 billion for "emergency expenses to respond to the terrorist attacks on the United States that occurred on September 11, 2001." Departments and agencies should continue to take all steps necessary to respond swiftly to urgent requirements and to alleviate human endangerment and suffering. All agency costs directly related to these terrorist attacks will be reimbursed. If you have any question about the availability of funding, please consult your OMB contact. The Congress has given us extraordinary authority and funding to address this crisis. It is incumbent on us to see that every dollar of these resources is used for the intended purposes and is fully accounted for. Attached for your information are guidelines that OMB will use in identifying and evaluating with you those areas where the funding enacted today should be targeted. These guidelines have been adapted, usually verbatim, from the procedures followed in response to previous emergencies, including Desert Storm, the Northridge earthquake, and the Northwest floods of 1997. A proposed activity is not expected to meet each of these guidelines but, if a request appears to violate one or more, it will be given very close scrutiny.

  United States. White House Office

  2001-09-14