Examples of Successful Seismic Safety Advocacy
The author presents 12 examples of successful advocacy for improved seismic safety measures in various geographic areas across the United States, from New York City to the west coast states. In these 12 successful examples, most of the advocates are dedicated public employees who go beyond the minimum requirements of their jobs.
All show the importance of persistence (and patience) and the value of seeking partnerships. Personal contacts are crucial; all the cases illustrate the importance of building personal networks, knowing whom to call, and establishing mutual trust with others in the field. They also show the importance of post-earthquake windows of opportunity; every action owes either its origin or a boost in support to a particular earthquake event. Finally, several of the cases demonstrate how initial efforts and seed funding provided by FEMA and USGS can catalyze substantial community actions.
