FEMA to Hold Earthquake Forum in Indiana

When we think of earthquakes most of us assume they only happen along the Pacific Coast, but after a 5.2 quake with an epicenter about 45 miles from Evansville, IN, last April, FEMA is including that state as a site for one of their upcoming forums on helping businesses prepare for major earthquakes.

FEMA (the Federal Emergency Management Agency) says the goal of their program, called QuakeSmart and scheduled for this September is to inform business owners of the risks that earthquakes pose, and also to teach techniques for reducing the impact of a quake on their community.

According to David Maurstad, an assistant administrator with FEMA, “A community cannot fully recover from a damaging earthquake until its businesses have recovered.” He went on to explain that “small and emerging business” are usually the least prepared for such events.

For this effort, FEMA is teaming with the Safe America Foundation, an Atlanta-based organization that specializes in disaster preparedness and safety.

In addition to the event in Indiana, FEMA will be holding forums in Cape Girardeau, MO, Reno, NV, and Monterey, CA.