1. Forum on Catastrophic Preparedness and Partnering to Protect Workplaces Testimony of Larry Klein, Chair California Seismic Safety Commission Before the Commission on Health and Safety and Workers’ Compensation Richard J. McCarthy, Executive Director Larry Klein, Chair California Seismic Safety Commission 1755 Creekside Oaks Drive, Suite 100 Sacramento, California 95833

2. The Role of the Seismic Safety Commission Independent advisory body to Governor, Legislature and the Public regarding seismic issues Develop seismic policy Sponsor legislation Hold post earthquake hearings in disaster areas Identify pre-event mitigation actions Work with federal, state and local government organizations Mission expressed in the California Earthquake Loss Reduction Plan

3. Examples of Recent Seismic Safety Commission Projects “Homeowner’s Guide to Earthquake Safety” 2005 edition “Commercial Property Owner’s Guide to Earthquake Safety” (under revision) “The Tsunami Threat to California” Seismic review of the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission Water System Improvement Program Tracking progress of (earthquake) objectives in the State Multi- Hazard Mitigation Plan

4. Examples of Major Seismic Mitigation Efforts PG&E gas, electric and building seismic mitigation ($2.5 Billion) SFPUC Water System Improvement Program ($4.3 Billion) Proposition 122 ($300 Million) –61 State buildings and 132 local government essential services buildings retrofitted Cal Trans ($8.5 Billion) 17,500 brick buildings retrofitted or demolished

5. Challenges Facing California Ineffective public education and outreach No major earthquakes in urban California since 1906. Large earthquakes will strain essential services, lifelines and utilities Downtime can impact market share of businesses and ports Old buildings and infrastructure at risk Retrofits-- saving lives but not necessarily functions Fires following earthquakes can multiply loss Be self sufficient for at least a week (Katrina) Lasting economic impacts What is acceptable risk?

6. Examples of Success in Risk Reduction to Businesses and Workers Commercial Property Owner’s Guide to Earthquake Safety New law requires shrink wrap on all storage racks taller than 12 feet Unreinforced Masonry Law Posting of ureinforced masonry buildings

7. Commercial Property Owner’s Guide to Earthquake Safety Does not contain business preparedness and emergency response guidelines. Focused on structure and some non-structural issues. Currently being revised

8. Incentives to Mitigate Earthquake Risk 147 initiatives that reduce damage and/or speed recovery Reduce a business's loss of post- event market share Protects workers

9. Example of Public Private Partnership The Business and Industry Council for Emergency Planning and Preparedness (BICEPP) –A non-profit self help corporation –Provides a network for information exchange to enhance emergency preparedness and contingency planning within the business community. (modified BICEPP mission statement) Hold competitions to demonstrate and sharpen emergency response skills Has a varied membership and is based in the Los Angeles area. Members include: –Nestle Corporation –Amgen –Southern California Edison –Universal Studious –Paramount –Toyota –City of Los Angeles –City of Burbank –Many others Website address is: http://www.bicepp.org/INDEX.asp

10. Earthquake Risk Reduction Future Concepts Establish a mitigation bank- California dollars spent on hazard mitigation and emergency preparedness projects should be tallied and used as a credit when applying for FEMA disaster funds. Establish mitigation tax incentives for businesses and homeowners.