Idaho the Setting for Earthquake Risk Reduction Conference Sept. 11-14

Hundreds of geoscientists, engineers, insurance regulators, building officials and emergency managers will converge in Boise, Idaho to take part in the Western States Seismic Policy Council (WSSPC) Annual Conference, Sept. 11-14, at The Grove Hotel & Boise Centre.

Sponsored by WSSPC, the Idaho Bureau of Homeland Security, Idaho Geological Survey, USGS and FEMA, the three-day conference combines plenary sessions and a field trip to identify challenges to measuring and communicating hazards assessments; change perceptions to risks; set priorities for seismic safety and implement seismic networks.

According to WSSPC Executive Director Patti Sutch, the conference reflects a commitment to changing the way America deals with earthquakes by stressing pre-disaster planning and aggressive mitigation measures taken before disaster strikes.

“This year’s plenary sessions zero-in on challenges for implementing National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) goals for the coming decade: to support reduced exposure to loss of life, infrastructure, economies and resources,” said Sutch. “We’ll work on strategies for strengthening NEHRP and WSSPC given our national realities of western earthquakes, rural earthquakes and earthquakes in cash-strapped states and communities.”

According to FEMA Regional Director John Pennington, this year marks WSSPC’s first annual conference to be held since the implementation of the new National Response Plan, and is a “must attend event” for emergency responders, managers and planners. “Field trips have been designed to complement the scheduled panel discussions, and the three-day integral Exhibitor Fair will showcase state-of-the-art technologies and products.”

Early Bird registration special offers are available through June 30. For registration information visit: www.wsspc.org/Events/ac2005, call (650) 330-1101, or write: WSSPC, 644 Emerson Street, Calif. 94301.