Governor Herbert Declares this week Earthquake Preparedness Week

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The Governor's Declaration:

Whereas, this year we have seen devastating earthquakes in Haiti, Chile and Turkey resulting in a high loss of life, buildings and infrastructure;

Whereas, earthquakes that took place in 2009 caused more than 1700 deaths in various countries around the world;

Whereas, one of the state’s primary responsibilities is to safeguard the safety and welfare of our citizens;

Whereas, more than 80 percent of Utah’s population is located in areas subject to large earthquakes;

Whereas, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has ranked Utah sixth in projected annualized earthquake loss in the United States;

Whereas, the 2008 Legislature passed Joint Resolution 7, recognizing the hazard of unreinforced masonry buildings and members from the Utah Seismic Safety Commission and the Structural Engineers Association of Utah have spent hundreds of hours inventorying unreinforced masonry buildings;

Whereas, the Utah Seismic Safety Commission is committed to making an inventory of all Utah schools that are a seismic hazard a top priority; and

Whereas, the commission’s Putting Down Roots in Earthquake Country handbook and the state’s Be Ready Utah emergency preparedness guides have been widely distributed;

Whereas, the Utah Seismic Safety Commission has selected the first week of April to focus on earthquake and disaster preparedness;

Now, Therefore, I, Gary R. Herbert, Governor of the State of Utah, do hereby declare April 4 - 10, 2010 as Earthquake Preparedness Week


Governor Gary R. Herbert

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