Earthquake Preparedness - - CA Public Resources

Section § 2810

This law section explains the efforts and importance of earthquake preparedness in California's major metropolitan areas. The state is at significant risk of large earthquakes, especially in Southern and Northern California. The Legislature acknowledges the initiatives taken through projects like the Southern California Earthquake Preparedness Project and the Bay Area Regional Earthquake Preparedness Project. These programs are designed to help local governments, agencies, and private organizations prepare for earthquakes by developing mitigation plans, increasing preparedness, and educating the public about reducing earthquake risks. Since 1984, comprehensive programs have been in place to provide planning and technical assistance to enhance earthquake response capabilities and innovative local preparedness planning.

The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:

(a) Most of the state’s major metropolitan areas are subject to potentially devastating, large magnitude earthquakes.

(b) Earth scientists estimate that there is greater than a 50 percent probability that one or more damaging earthquakes will occur in these metropolitan areas between now and the end of the century.

(c) The commission, in conjunction with other local, state, and federal agencies, has initiated programs to prepare the state for responding to the threat of major earthquakes. The first program, the Southern California Earthquake Preparedness Project, is administered by the office. The commission has since initiated a similar effort in northern California, the Bay Area Regional Earthquake Preparedness Project.

(d) Through the work of the Southern California Earthquake Preparedness Project and the Bay Area Regional Earthquake Preparedness Project, earthquake mitigation and preparedness plans, procedures, and educational materials have been developed and used to encourage and support local jurisdictions’ preparedness activities in both southern and northern California.

(e) Since July 1, 1984, the commission and the office have jointly carried out a comprehensive earthquake preparedness program by providing planning and technical assistance as follows:

(1) To local jurisdictions, volunteer agencies and associations, and private-sector organizations, to develop and implement hazard mitigation and prevention programs to reduce earthquake vulnerability.

(2) To improve regionwide preparedness and response capabilities.

(3) To stimulate and promote innovative preparedness planning activities by local jurisdictions.

(f) The activities of the Southern California Earthquake Preparedness Project and the Bay Area Regional Earthquake Preparedness Project have successfully encouraged and supported local programs that reduce potential earthquake hazards and increase preparedness capabilities of participating jurisdictions and raise the level of citizens’ awareness of, and preparedness for, earthquakes.

earthquake preparedness Southern California Earthquake Preparedness Project Bay Area Regional Earthquake Preparedness Project earthquake mitigation local jurisdictions hazard prevention programs earthquake response capabilities earthquake vulnerability preparedness education earthquake risk reduction regional preparedness planning and technical assistance local government preparedness community awareness earthquake threat response

(Added by Stats. 1986, Ch. 1115, Sec. 2.)

Section § 2811

This section defines key terms used in a legal chapter. The "Agency" or "Office" refers to the Office of Emergency Services. The term "Commission" denotes the Seismic Safety Commission. "Local jurisdiction" includes cities, counties, or districts. Lastly, "Preparedness" involves activities for preearthquake planning, reconstruction, recovery, and emergency response readiness.

As used in this chapter:

(a) “Agency” or “office” means the Office of Emergency Services.

(b) “Commission” means the Seismic Safety Commission.

(d) “Preparedness” means long-term preearthquake hazard mitigation, reconstruction, and recovery planning and preparation for emergency response.

Office of Emergency Services Seismic Safety Commission local jurisdiction preearthquake hazard mitigation reconstruction planning emergency response preparation recovery planning city jurisdiction county jurisdiction district jurisdiction preparedness activities emergency services hazard mitigation long-term planning earthquake preparedness

(Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 352, Sec. 476. (AB 1317) Effective September 26, 2013. Operative July 1, 2013, by Sec. 543 of Ch. 352.)

Section § 2812

This section encourages projects that promote voluntary actions by local governments, volunteer groups, and private organizations to improve seismic safety. It aims to cover various aspects like mitigation, education, and recovery planning. Projects can help with planning and provide technical support for earthquake safety programs, enhance preparedness at all levels, and improve response capabilities. Collaboration with different government levels and private entities for educational workshops is also encouraged. Additionally, it supports innovative public education and preparedness efforts.

(a) The projects authorized by this chapter shall promote voluntary actions by local jurisdictions, volunteer agencies and associations, and private organizations which address all aspects of seismic safety, including, but not limited to, mitigation, public information and education, response, and recovery planning.

(b) The projects may do all of the following:

(1) Provide planning and technical assistance for developing and implementing earthquake hazard mitigation and loss prevention programs that reduce earthquake vulnerability.

(2) Provide planning and technical assistance to improve regional, local, community, corporate, and public and private school preparedness.

(3) Provide planning and technical assistance to local jurisdictions to improve regional and local agencies’ response capabilities for predicted and unpredicted earthquakes.

(4) Participate with local, regional, state, and federal agencies, councils of government, and private organizations in providing education and training workshops and conferences on comprehensive earthquake preparedness.

(5) Promote innovative approaches by local jurisdictions in the areas of public education and individual, community, and private-sector preparedness.

seismic safety earthquake mitigation voluntary actions local jurisdictions hazard mitigation loss prevention preparedness programs response capabilities education workshops community preparedness private sector preparedness regional planning technical assistance public education recovery planning

(Added by Stats. 1986, Ch. 1115, Sec. 2.)

Section § 2814

This law mandates that the Office of Emergency Services (OES) is responsible for carrying out earthquake preparedness activities. The OES and a special commission must collaborate, using scientific data and recommendations, to effectively implement these activities. Additionally, a local advisory board will be set up to guide projects specifically in the counties of San Diego, Imperial, and Santa Barbara.

The earthquake preparedness activities established under this chapter shall be carried out by the Office of Emergency Services. The commission and Office of Emergency Services shall work together and use appropriate scientific information and recommendations provided by the survey. Other arrangements to coordinate the activities established by this chapter shall be made, through mutual agreement, by the commission and the Office of Emergency Services. A local advisory board shall be established to provide advice and guidance on project activities in the Counties of San Diego, Imperial, and Santa Barbara.

earthquake preparedness Office of Emergency Services scientific information commission collaboration local advisory board San Diego County Imperial County Santa Barbara County project guidance emergency management county-specific projects coordination activities mutual agreement advisory board recommendations earthquake projects

(Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 521, Sec. 50. (SB 809) Effective January 1, 2018.)

Section § 2815

The Office of Emergency Services can make deals with various local, regional, and federal groups, as well as private organizations, to help prepare for earthquakes. They can also use funds from these groups for earthquake preparedness programs. The commission and Office of Emergency Services will also look to get help from relevant federal agencies.

The Office of Emergency Services may enter into agreements with local, regional, and federal agencies, councils of government, and private organizations and contractors, and may receive and expend funds provided by those entities in support of comprehensive earthquake preparedness programs authorized by this chapter. The commission and Office of Emergency Services shall seek assistance from appropriate federal agencies.

earthquake preparedness emergency services agreements funding for preparedness programs local agency cooperation federal assistance for emergencies regional agency collaboration private organization partnerships comprehensive preparedness programs councils of government partnerships disaster assistance earthquake safety initiatives Office of Emergency Services federal agency support contractor involvement in preparedness emergency preparedness funding

(Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 352, Sec. 478. (AB 1317) Effective September 26, 2013. Operative July 1, 2013, by Sec. 543 of Ch. 352.)