HomeMy WebLinkAbout22673 RESOLUTION NO. 22673
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, ENDORSING THE
COACHELLA VALLEY REGIONAL EARTHQUAKE
WARNING SYSTEM (CREWS) AND REQUEST
RECOGNITION, SUPPORT AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
FROM STATE AND FEDERAL LEGISLATORS FOR THIS
REGIONAL MODEL.
WHEREAS, in at least three countries (Japan (2007), Mexico (1991), and Taiwan
(2001)) disaster preparedness includes operational early warning earthquake systems,
which can provide several tenths of seconds to a few seconds of warning of a large
magnitude earthquake, both to mitigate injury and to aid disaster response and recovery
efforts; and,
WHEREAS, standalone early earthquake warning units in the Coachella Valley,
QuakeGuards have the ability to provide 0-60 seconds warning time depending on the
location of the unit from the hypocenter; and,
WHEREAS, CVAG and the Coachella Valley Emergency Managers Association
CREWS proposal will expand the early earthquake core units in the Coachella Valley
from 12 to 52 and network them into a system that can afford double the warning time;
and,
WHEREAS, Geologic studies show that over the past 1,400 to 1,500 years large
earthquakes have occurred at about 150-year intervals on the southern San Andreas
Fault. As the last large earthquake on the southern San Andreas occurred in 1857, that
section of the fault is considered a likely location for an earthquake within the next few
decades. (United States Geological Survey-http://pubs.usgs.gov/qip/earfhg3/when.htmi)
WHEREAS, because the southern section of the San Andreas Fault spans
throughout the Coachella Valley, a thorough emergency preparedness plan must
include earthquake response and awareness, and local municipalities must strive to
mitigate the devastating effects of earthquakes; and,
WHEREAS, in 2001, the City of Palm Springs began deploying early earthquake
warning units, QuakeGuards, in local fire stations. These units provide an audio
warning before the earthquake is felt that says "a seismic motion has been detected".
Simultaneously, the QuakeGuard units open fire station apparatus room doors and turn
on station lights, allowing staff to take cover and shut down critical equipment; and,
WHEREAS, on December 7, 2009, the Coachella Valley Association of
Governments' Executive Committee approved CVAG's participation to co-lead the
creation and implementation of the Coachella Valley Regional Earthquake Early
Warning System (CREWS) with the Coachella Valley Emergency Managers Association
(CVEMA) and local legislators; and,
Resolution No. 22673
Page 2
WHEREAS, CREWS will be critical to the safety of first responders,
approximately 69,000 students and faculty of the local school districts, healthcare
facilities; those people at critical infrastructure sites, an estimated 100,000 seasonal
residents and visitors, as well as the entire population of 477,948 permanent residents
(Riverside County 2009 Progress Report), such that CREWS participating partners and
affiliates will receive an advanced alert of an earthquake, thereby enabling them to take
mitigating actions, potentially reducing the number and severity of injuries; and,
WHEREAS, the implementation of CREWS will require a collaboration between
the Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG), Coachella Valley
Emergency Managers Association (CVEMA), the local school districts and both the
academic and private sector (Seismic Warning Systems, Inc.). Therefore, the CVEMA
formed an Earthquake Early Warning Subcommittee to establish an Action Plan to
develop the project; and,
WHEREAS, the CREWS Project will: 1) seek funding for the expansion of the
Coachella Valley Regional Earthquake Warning System to provide early earthquake
warnings, 2) be responsible for the development of earthquake warning response
procedures, 3) develop and implement sustainable and periodic education and training
programs for each school district partner, and 4) focus on regional needs, hazards, and
priorities, and include collaboration with other regions; and,
WHEREAS, CVAG's role will involve: 1) research and administer grant
applications and other revenue streams for funding of this project; 2) work with
jurisdictions to secure strategic sites for system locations; 3) work with the CREWS
partners to facilitate, implement, expedite, and expand the CREWS networking
capability thus doubling the warning time; and, 4) work to expand the early earthquake
warning system through regional partnerships; and,
WHEREAS, it has been determined by the CVEMA that the CREWS project will
need approximately $3 million dollars to expand the current 12 sites to include early
earthquake warning devices along the Southern San Andreas Fault and the San Jacinto
fault zone and to provide education and training; and,
WHEREAS, the budget will include the CREWS Self-Funding Cooperative model
in which those interested in receiving early earthquake warnings (CREWS Affiliates)
would subscribe to the Network Earthquake Warning Service (NEWS). Subscription
fees (approximately $100 per site per month) for NEWS will pay for system operation,
maintenance, upgrades, and on-going training and education efforts and relieve the
school districts of significant long term cost. This model for long-term support of the
system ensures that CREWS will continue to be available as long as needed, thus,
creating a sustainable funding model for on-going operations, maintenance, and
education; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Palm Springs requests that local State and Federal
Representatives: 1) endorse and recognize the importance of CREWS, 2) facilitate, in
coordination with CVAG and the CREWS partners, any legislation, to support and assist
with the development of CREWS and 3) assist with and identification of funding streams
Resolution No. 22673
Page 3
to facilitate the implementation of this project which will monitor the southern section of
the San Andreas Fault, mitigate the loss of life, prevent injuries, and protect first
responders, from a major earthquake in Southern California; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Palm Springs requests that local State and Federal
legislators recognize the importance of CREWS in providing a collective and regional
disaster preparedness response to earthquakes, and assist CVAG using legislative
means and efforts as available to fund such disaster preparedness is necessary to the
safety of the population-
NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved, that by adoption of this resolution, the City
Council of the City of Palm Springs hereby declares the public safety need for the
CREWS program to assist with the protection of life and property from a large
magnitude earthquake in the Coachella Valley and call upon local state and federal
legislators to endorse and support the regional program through financial and/or
legislative support.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS 17T" DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2010.
David H. ReaSLy- Manager
ATTEST:
?J- es hompson, City Clerk
CERTIFICATION
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE ) ss.
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS )
I, JAMES THOMPSON, City Clerk of the City of Palm Springs, hereby certify that
Resolution No. 22673 is a full, true and correct copy, and was duly adopted at a regular
meeting of the City Council of the City of Palm Springs on the 17t" day of February,
2010, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember Foat, Councilmember Mills, Councilmember Weigel,
Mayor Pro Tern Hutcheson.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Mayor Pougnet
ABSTAIN: None.
;jies Thompson, CityClerk Zdly of Palm Springs, Califomia