Global Experts Convene at National Earthquake Conference

LONG BEACH, Calif., May 4, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As Taiwan, Japan, and Ecuador work to recover from recent deadly earthquakes, more than 160 different organizations and experts, ranging from academia, building code experts, earth scientists, engineers, federal and state government leaders, insurance industry representatives, and researchers, gather in Long Beach, CA from May 4 to May 6 at the 2016 National Earthquake Conference (NEC). The NEC occurs every four years and brings together leading experts to share the latest advances in earthquake resiliency.

The theme of this year's conference is What's New? What's Next? What's Your Role in Building a National Strategy?. The NEC critically examines the latest research and information from experts in building science and building product innovation, emergency management geology, seismology, resiliency programs and policies, social science, public outreach initiatives, scientific insights, and new technologies to drive better understanding of earthquake risk in the U.S. and create disaster-resilient communities.

Highlights of the conference include:

• The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) will provide an update on the new National Seismic Hazard Maps and share the issues with identifying, quantifying, and communicating the new threat of induced seismicity. For the first time ever, the USGS has produced a one-year seismic hazard forecast for the Central and Eastern United States which includes both natural and induced (man-made) earthquakes.
• The implementation and beta testing of Earthquake Early Warning Systems in California, Oregon, and Washington will also be discussed at the conference and the recent Executive Order for Seismic Retrofit of Federal Buildings.
• Mike Gillooly, Christchurch, New Zealand Chief Resilience Officer and Wei-Sen Li, Secretary General, Natural Science and Technology Center for Disaster Reduction will give a report on the human toll of earthquakes from Christchurch, New Zealand and New Taipei City, Taiwan. 

"Improving our ability to survive and recover from damaging earthquakes is a global responsibility that all NEC attendees take very seriously," said CEA CEO Glenn Pomeroy. "With two-thirds of our nation's earthquake risk here in California, we are in the right place for international experts to share their best-available ideas for saving future lives and economies." 

"By bringing together the public and private sector, we will better align efforts to increase earthquake resilience," said FLASH President and CEO Leslie Chapman-Henderson. "This unique, interdisciplinary conference represents a new integrated approach and offers disaster safety stakeholders a way to get involved in support of a safer, more resilient United States."

The National Awards of Excellence Program will recognize Dr. Lucile Jones, USGS Emerita, with a Lifetime Achievement Award presented by the Western Seismic Safety Policy Council (WSSPC) Board Chair, David Norman on Thursday, May 5.

The 2016 NEC is hosted by the nonprofit Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH)^®, FEMA, Cascadia Region Earthquake Consortium, Central U.S. Earthquake Consortium, Earthquake Engineering Research Institute, National Earthquake Hazard Reduction Program, Northeast States Emergency Consortium, Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research Center, Southern California Earthquake Center, and Western States Seismic Policy Council (WSSPC).

The event is supported by presenting sponsor, California Earthquake Authority (CEA), and State Farm Insurance Companies, One Concern, Kinemetrics Open Systems & Services, Simpson Strong-Tie Co., Seismic Warning Systems, and the International Code Council (ICC).

The full conference agenda and additional information can be found at www.earthquakeconference.org.

About FLASH
The nonprofit Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH) is the country's leading consumer advocate for strengthening homes and safeguarding families from natural and manmade disasters. The FLASH partnership includes more than 120 innovative and diverse organizations that share a vision of making America a more disaster resilient nation including: BASF, FEMA, Florida Division of Emergency Management, The Home Depot®, Huber Engineered Woods, International Code Council, Kohler® Generators, National Weather Service, Portland Cement Association, Simpson Strong-Tie®, State Farm®, and USAA®. In 2008, FLASH® and Disney opened the interactive weather experience StormStruck: A Tale of Two Homes® in Lake Buena Vista, FL. Learn more about FLASH and access free consumer resources by visiting www.flash.org, calling toll-free (877) 221- SAFE (7233), following @federalalliance on Twitter, Facebook.com/federalalliance, and the FLASH blog – Protect Your Home in a FLASH.

SOURCE Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH)

Related Links

http://www.flash.org