WESTERN STATES SEISMIC POLICY COUNCIL
The Western States Seismic Policy Council was a non-profit organization based in Palo Alto, California, focused on seismic policy and earthquake preparedness initiatives. Founded in 1979, it collaborated with various government entities to enhance seismic safety regulations and provided resources for earthquake risk reduction until it ceased operations.
History
The organization was formed following a meeting co-chaired by the California Seismic Safety Commission, the Nevada Ad Hoc Panel on Seismic Hazard Mitigation, and the Utah Seismic Safety Advisory Council. It has been meeting annually since its inception in 1979, when it organized the Western States Conference on Earthquake Safety in Sparks, Nevada. The organization was incorporated in 1996 and received 501(c)(3) non-profit status shortly thereafter. The establishment of the organization was incentivized by the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 and the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program in 1978.
Services
The organization focused on seismic policy and earthquake preparedness initiatives. It provided resources and guidelines for earthquake risk reduction and mitigation. The organization developed policy recommendations for adoption by its members and maintained a fast-track procedure for policy recommendation revisions. It also produced a quarterly newsletter and monthly bulletins to disseminate information. Additionally, it hosted or assisted a national earthquake conference every four years and organized regional and sub-regional workshops on relevant topics.
Collaborations
The organization collaborated with various state and local governments to enhance seismic safety regulations. It partnered with public and private organizations to improve earthquake programs and worked closely with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in developing earthquake mitigation initiatives. The organization consulted regularly with other earthquake-related organizations, including the Central U.S. Earthquake Consortium and the Northeast States Emergency Consortium, to share knowledge and best practices.
Board of Directors
The organization had a Board of Directors comprised of state geological survey directors, state emergency management directors, and a member-at-large. This governance structure ensured that a diverse range of expertise and perspectives informed the organization's strategic direction. The Board was responsible for maintaining a budget, reporting income and expenses, and overseeing the implementation of the organization's strategic plan.
Awards and Recognition
The organization implemented an awards program to support its mission of developing seismic policies. It recognized achievements in earthquake mitigation, preparedness, and response through its Awards in Excellence. This program aimed to encourage best practices and highlight successful initiatives within the seismic safety community, contributing to the overall goal of reducing losses from seismic events.