Inside This Issue
NPM & ShakeOut
Earthquake Drills
Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills follow
National Preparedness Month
GIS/IT Group
Recognized by FEMA
Ride the Fault a Success
CUSEC Receives GIS
Grants
"QuakeCatchers"
Launched in CUS
Helpful Hint: Protect
Your Identity During a
Disaster
Lost History of New
Madrid Earthquakes
Calendar & Upcoming
Events
Find us Online:
Get Ready to
ShakeOut!
Sign up at
www.shakeout.org
Each September FEMA organizes National Preparedness Month (#NatlPrep), a
public service campaign that provides a dedicated time for individuals and
communities
to
prepare
for
disasters.
To foster better emergency planning and family communication, the 2015
National Preparedness Month theme is - Don't Wait. Communicate. The
month-long slate of activities culminates with America's PrepareAthon!
National Preparedness Day of Action on September 30. PrepareAThon!
encourages individuals to take part in activities relative to the hazards they may
face on a day-to-day basis, including earthquakes.
For the third year following America's PrepareAthon! and National
Preparedness Month, individuals and communities in more than 45 states and
territories will participate in Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills. Held annually
on the third Thursday of October, the ShakeOut is set for Thursday, October 15,
2015 at 10:15 a.m. local time. During the self-led drill, participants practice how
to "Drop, Cover, Hold On", the personal protective action recommended
during an earthquake.
Did You Feel It?
View a list of recent
earthquakes here...
Geocache Update
Worldwide, nearly 25 million people are expected to participate in earthquake
drills and safety activities as part of the ShakeOut. In addition to the drills,
many participants take extra steps to become more prepared for earthquakes.
To take part in the ShakeOut, individuals and organizations are asked to first
register to participate at www.ShakeOut.org.
A great way to spend
time outdoors with your
family and friends is by
going Geocaching.
Since 2007, more than
3k people have visited
CUSEC geocaches, which
provide
earthquake
safety and mitigation
information
to
site
visitors. As some visitors
recently noted:
"We really love caches
that take us interesting
places or teach us
something new, so keep
this up."
"Staff was very friendly.
Even stood on the New
Madrid fault line a few
hundred feet from this
cache."
To
find
a
CUSEC
geocache near you, see
our cache listing page at
the geocaching website
New Madrid Cool
Facts
For more information on why Drop, Cover, Hold On is the recommended
action to take during earthquakes, see
www.shakeout.org/centralus/dropcoverholdon.
CUSEC GIS/IT Working Group Receives FEMA
Community Preparedness Award
CUSEC is honored to announce that our Geographic Information Systems
(GIS)/Information Technology (IT) Working Group is the recipient of the 2015
FEMA Individual and Community Preparedness (ICPD) Award, Technological
Innovation category. The award is based on the GIS/IT innovations leading up
to and during CAPSTONE-14, a multi-year planning and exercise initiative
involving the CUSEC Member and Associate States, the Federal Government,
and private sector. During CAPSTONE-14, the Working Group created data
sharing models and tools for decision makers for situational awareness before
and during disasters. These systems have since become national models of
excellence and were a test-bed to lay the foundation for future improvements
for expanding regional and national shared situational awareness for
emergency management and first responders.
The annual ICPD awards program, announced during National Preparedness
Month, recognizes outstanding efforts of individuals, programs, and
organizations throughout the country working to prepare their communities for
emergencies. The winners developed innovative practices and campaigns in
2014 and 2015 that made outstanding contributions toward making
communities
safer,
better
prepared,
and
more
resilient.
According to FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate, "Effective emergency
management requires commitment, teamwork and engagement by the entire
community before disasters occur. I congratulate the individuals and
organizations that embody these ideals. Through their hard work and
dedication, they are making our nation stronger and safer."
CUSEC joined ten other award recipients on September 8, 2015 in Washington,
D.C. for a ceremony hosted by FEMA and the American Red Cross. During the
recognition ceremony, recipients shared their experiences, success stories, and
lessons learned with fellow emergency management leaders. Including
CUSEC's GIS/IT Working Group, CUSEC Member State Alabama's Be Ready
program also received an award for their "Alabama Be Ready Camp". The 2015
Award marks the second time CUSEC has been recognized by FEMA with an
ICPD award. In 2012 we were honored to receive an award for "Outstanding
Drill or Exercise" for the 2011 Great Central U.S. ShakeOut Earthquake Drill.
Think you are an expert
on the New Madrid
Seismic Zone? Here is a
cool fact you may not
have known:
In 1811, the population of
what is now the central
United States was very
sparse. Still considered
to be the western
frontier, there were only
about 5,700 people in
the St. Louis area at the
time. Most historical
reports (journals, letters,
and
newspapers)
describing
the
earthquake shaking and
its effects were written
by people who were
located east of the
Mississippi
River.
Today,
about
11-12
million people live in the
St.
Louis-Memphis
region.
Source: U.S. Geological
Survey "20 Cool Facts
about the New Madrid
Seismic Zone".
2015 FEMA ICPD Award Recipients
We would like to congratulate fellow award recipients and program applicants
and recognize their contributions to improving community preparedness. For
more information on the 2015 ICPD Awards, please see the official FEMA Press
Release.
2015 Ride the Fault Line Tour Branded a Success
Earlier this summer, CUSEC participated in a unique earthquake-themed event
known as the "Ride the Fault Line" (RTFL) bicycle tour. RFTL involved more
than 200 avid cyclists who traveled approximately 400 miles within the New
Madrid Seismic Zone; riding through Arkansas, Kentucky, Missouri and
Tennessee along the way. During their ride, cyclists learned about earthquake
hazards and preparedness from several organizations including CUSEC, the
Center for Earthquake Research and Information, and the Arkansas, Kentucky,
Missouri and Tennessee Emergency Management Agencies and Geological
Surveys.
CUSEC Executive Director Jim Wilkinson helped kick off Ride the Fault Line
with a presentation on the history of the 1811-12 New Madrid earthquakes, why
we have earthquakes in the central U.S., and why earthquake preparedness is
important. Representatives from CUSEC and our Member States were on hand
at various rest stops during the tour to provide cyclists with earthquake related
information. Director of the Tennessee Geological Survey Ron Zurawski
explained the geology of the region and the science behind central U.S.
earthquakes; while Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA)
earthquake program manager Cecil Whaley talked about earthquake
(emergency) preparedness and highlighted what government is doing to
address the regional hazard.
Cyclists started their seven day journey in New Madrid, Missouri, riding
through the southeastern portion of the state. They continued through the
Mississippi River valley, passing through the cities of Paragould, Arkansas,
Tiptonville, Tennessee (Reelfoot Lake area), and Hickman, Kentucky. They
finally finished the ride back in New Madrid on June 20th. (view the full route
in detail at http://www.ridethefault.com/Route_Information.html).
RTFL Breakpoint in Tiptonville, TN
RTFL was an international event with participants representing the United
States, Canada, South Africa, France, and Ireland. Along the way, cyclists also
took the opportunity to absorb the culture, sights, sounds, and historical
content of each state. Ride the Fault Line coordinator Rodney McConnell
emphasized how collaboration and cooperation among the riders really stood
out.
"I was especially impressed this year with the way the cyclists and the
communities we passed through embraced each other, allowing both to
benefit from and have a positive experience with the tour," he said. "This helps
spread the understanding and acceptance of cyclists 'sharing the road' with
motorists, while also injecting a much needed and appreciated economic boost
into many of the small communities we visit," he added.
You can find out more information about the 2015 Ride the Fault Line (and
future planned events) at http://www.ridethefault.com.
CUSEC Receives Grants to Advance
Regional GIS Initiative
CUSEC is pleased to announce that we have recently received grants from the
Delta Regional Authority (DRA) and the Motorola Solutions Foundation to
advance regional disaster planning and preparation through the use of
Geographical Information Systems (GIS).
Totaling more than $200,000, these grants will help our GIS/IT Working
Group to improve regional GIS capabilities and refine the "Common Operating
Picture" that was originally developed during CAPSTONE-14. With the use of
GIS in emergency management, officials have the ability to see hardest hit
areas and impacts to infrastructure, speeding up disaster response and
recovery efforts as well as improving overall disaster preparedness.
Also with this grant funding, CUSEC will be able to continue education and
outreach efforts through town-hall meetings and presentations, participating in
earthquake preparedness safety fairs and earthquake preparedness events such
as the Great Central U.S. ShakeOut.
DRA funding for this multi-jurisdictional project is through its States'
Economic Development Assistance Program (SEDAP). SEDAP is the primary
investment tool that allows DRA to invest directly in community-based and
regional projects that address the basic public infrastructure, transportation
infrastructure, workforce development, and small business communities and
entrepreneurship needs of Delta communities. Motorola Solutions Foundation
provided funding for this project through its "Public Safety Grant" program.
CUSEC would like to thank both the Delta Regional Authority and the Motorola
Solutions Foundation for their generosity in making earthquake education,
outreach, and response and recovery planning a priority.
For more information about the Delta Regional Authority (DRA) and the
States' Economic Development Assistance Program, visit: www.dra.gov. For
more information about the Motorola Solutions Foundation (MSF) grant
program, visit: responsibility.motorolasolutions.com.
QuakeCatcher Network Comes to the Central U.S.
Earlier this summer, Robert de Groot, Ph.D, of the Southern California
Earthquake Center (SCEC) came to the central U.S. to facilitate an initial
deployment of the "Quake Catcher Network" or QCN.
QCN is a network of low-cost seismometers installed on personal computers
that transmit earthquake shaking information to servers in California. The
deployment is a pilot in the central U.S., and is an extension of the EPIcenter
program, which provides resources and learning tools to public information
centers such as museums, science centers, and other free-choice learning
institutions.
Twelve QCN seismometers were installed in Blytheville, Arkansas, Malden,
Missouri, Tiptonville and Ridgely, Tennessee, and DeSoto County Mississippi.
Once in place the seismometers not only record earthquake shaking, but they
can also be used to demonstrate how earthquakes are measured and recorded
through included "QCN Live" demonstration software.
Bob de Groot (Southern California Earthquake Center) demonstrates
"QuakeCatcher" software to a surprised 3rd grade student from the
DeSoto County School District.
Currently, QCN devices are deployed worldwide through a collaborative
management approach between CalTech, SCEC, and IRIS, the Incorporated
Research Institutions for Seismology.
After a review of the initial deployment, CUSEC intends to reach out to other
communities in states throughout the central U.S. to join the Quake Catcher
Network and improve the understanding and translation of earthquakes and
earth science. For more information about QCN, visit http://qcn.caltech.edu
CUSEC Helpful Hint: Protect Your Identity
Following a Disaster
The disaster recovery process can take a long time. While safety and reestablishing your daily routine is a priority, keep in mind that there are other
aspects of disasters - such as identity theft - that you will need to consider.
Consumer credit reporting agency Equifax offers some helpful tips on how to
protect your identity following a disaster:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Make copies of important documents such as social security cards,
driver's licenses, insurance cards, credit card information, wedding
certificates, bank account information, and store them outside of home
in a safe deposit box.
Stop your mail: Because your mail contains important personal
information, leaving it in your mailbox for an extended period of time
makes it vulnerable to thieves.
Use only secure, password protected internet connections. Especially
when checking your bank account and emails.
Check your credit report as soon as possible after a disaster and add
security alerts
Be careful when giving out your personal information in order to
collect relief funds. Only speak to the Federal Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA) and known charity groups. The Better Business
Bureau (BBB) keeps a list of known and respected relief organizations.
Do not give out your personal information to anyone who solicits
contributions to any disaster relief fund.
Report suspected instances of identity theft immediately to the
National Center for Disaster Fraud by phone at 866-720-5721, by fax at
225-334-4707, or by email at disaster@leo.gov
For more, visit http://blog.equifax.com/credit/tips-to-help-protect-youridentity-after-a-natural-disaster/. You can also visit the Federal Trade
Commission webiste at ftc.gov/idtheft for tools to help safeguard your identity.
Lost History of New Madrid
Earthquakes
Recently released in paperback form, The
Lost History of the New Madrid
Earthquakes, takes us back to a major
environmental disaster that forever
changed the mid-western landscape of the
United
States.
Weaving together scientific and historical
evidence, the book's author, Conevery
Bolton Valencius, Ph.D, provides readers
with a detailed account about the various
people in the region of New Madrid,
Missouri, and the effect that the 1811-12
earthquakes had on them. She also
explores the recent resurgence given to this
topic and gives careful thought to the
reasons why the history of this event seem
to fade from public knowledge.
The Lost History of the New Madrid
Earthquakes can be purchased online or at your local bookstore. For
information about the book and/or the author, Conevery Bolton Valencius,
contact Micah Fehrenbacher at 773-702-7717 or at micahf@uchicago.edu
CALENDAR & UPCOMING EVENTS
September 2015
September 25 - Ten Ways to Participate in America's PrepareAthon! Webinar
September 25 - Missouri SAVE Coalition Training; St. Louis, MO
September 28 - Oct. 1 - NEMA Annual Forum; Miami, FL
September 30 - America's PrepareAthon! National Day of Action
October 2015 Oct. 1 - NEMA Annual Forum; Miami, FL
October 6-8 - Seismological Soc. of America Meeting; Memphis, TN
October 14-15 - CUSEC Board of Directors Meeting; Washington, D.C.
October 15 - Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills; Worldwide
October 16-17 - Missouri SAVE Coalition Training - St. Louis, MO
October 17 - "Rock, Fossil, Quake" St. Louis Science Center; St. Louis, MO
October 22 - Missouri SAVE Coalition Training; Poplar Bluff; MO
October 23 - ATC20 Post-Earthquake Safety Evaluations of Buildings;
Fayetteville, AR
For more information or to view other upcoming events, please visit the CUSEC
website online calendar.
The Central U.S. Earthquake Consortium is a registered 501(c)(3)
organization. Our primary mission is "the reduction of deaths, injuries,
property damage and economic losses resulting from earthquakes in the tral
United States". For more information about us, please visit www.cusec.org or
contact us at (901) 544-3570.