IBHS, CUSEC and FEMA Announce 2011 Earthquake Outreach Tour

Tampa, FL – January 12, 2011 – (RealEstateRama) — In recognition of the bicentennial of the 1811-1812 New Madrid Earthquakes, the Central U.S. Earthquake Consortium (CUSEC), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Institute for Business & Home Safety(IBHS) are teaming with state and local partners to bring residents and organizations in the affected region an educational campaign to help reduce their earthquake risk.

The Earthquake Outreach Tour will be conducted in five states: Arkansas, Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri and Tennessee, during the week of Feb.7-11, 2011. The tour will conclude at the Earthquakes Mean Business event, which marks the official kickoff of the New Madrid Bicentennial.

The theme of the tour is “Identify your Risk, Make a Plan, and Take Action.” Messages will be tailored for business and residential audiences, who will walk away with the tools they need to become better prepared and resilient should another earthquake occur. Residents and business owners will learn more about earthquakes in their communities; become familiar with available resources, such as QuakeSmart and Open for Business®, which are tools to create earthquake preparedness plans; and, get how-to information about affordable ways to protect people and property from earthquake risks.

“IBHS is proud to partner with CUSEC and FEMA in this community outreach campaign focused on the importance of earthquake loss reduction,” said Candace Iskowitz, IBHS’ director of public affairs. “Since no one can predict exactly where and when an earthquake will hit, effective preparation is critical to minimizing loss of life and property.”

CUSEC Executive Director Jim Wilkinson says “CUSEC and our State partners are pleased to be a participant in this local, state, and national partnership effort to educate communities on the value of earthquake risk reduction and community preparedness during the New Madrid Bicentennial. We look forward to future efforts in this region of the country.”

“FEMA is excited to partner with IBHS, CUSEC, and the States on this grassroots campaign,” said Claudette Fetterman, FEMA QuakeSmart program manager. “It offers an opportunity for a unified and complete message on earthquake safety by jointly talking about the importance of identifying risk, making a plan, and taking actions.”

About CUSEC
Established in 1983 with funding support from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, CUSEC’s primary mission is, “… the reduction of deaths, injuries, property damage and economic losses resulting from earthquakes in the Central United States.” CUSEC’s primary objective is to provide dynamic support to multi-state response and recovery planning, resource acquisition; public education and awareness; promotion; mitigation, and research associated with earthquake preparedness in the Central United States. CUSEC Member States are those most vulnerable to the effects of earthquakes in the region and include Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee.

About FEMA
FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Earthquake Tour Information

About IBHS
IBHS is an independent, nonprofit, scientific and educational organization supported by the property insurance industry. The organization works to reduce the social and economic effects of natural disasters and other risks to residential and commercial property by conducting research and advocating improved construction, maintenance and preparation practices.

Contact:
Joseph King (813) 675-1045
jking (at) ibhs (dot) org
Twitter: disastersafety