This week, the Deseret Morning News reported the damage that state officials estimate if a 7.0 earthquake hits the Wasatch Front near Salt Lake City. That includes up to 6,200 Utahns dead, 90,000 injured, at least moderate damage to 42 percent of all local buildings and $40 billion in economic losses.
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But local residents can do much to reduce risks that they would face.
Simple steps around the house could make a quake more survivable from securing water heaters and large bookcases to learning what to do when a quake strikes.
Also, officials say those residents with first aid kits, 72-hour emergency kits of emergency food and water and Community Emergency Response Team training will fare better in such an emergency and likely save lives.
This page offers some how-to information and sources for more details.
Utah awareness
On April 6 the state of Utah began an emergency preparedness campaign titled "Be Ready Utah." It is a partnership between the governor's office and various state emergency-response agencies. To learn more, visit www.bereadyutah.org
Good idea
Keep a pair of sturdy shoes under the bed of each family member to protect feet from broken glass and debris.
When was the last earthquake?
Worldwide: In the last minute, somewhere in the world.
Utah: Within the past 24 hours, somewhere in the state.
The last large earthquake occurred on the Wasatch fault north of Nephi about 400 years ago.
Office emergency kit
A major disaster may require you to be stranded at your place of employment for hours or even days. Prepare a kit of appropriate items, planning for at least 72 hours.
Include a list of important names, addresses, phone numbers, e-mail addresses.
Computer sites with earthquake information
University of Utah Seismograph Stations: www.seis.utah.edu
Utah Geological Survey: geology.utah.gov
Utah Seismic Safety Commission: des.utah.gov/ussc
FEMA: www.fema.gov
American Red Cross: www.redcross.org
Utah Division of Emergency Services and Homeland Security: des.utah.gov
LDS Church: www.providentliving.org
Deseret Morning News: deseretnews.com
Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT)
Their training and roles in disasters
Disaster preparedness: What is a disaster and how can you prepare for one?
Hazard mitigation: What hazards exist in your home, community and office? What can you do to mitigate those hazards?
Disaster medical operations: How do I treat injuries in a disaster situation?
Light search and rescue operations: Learn to safely conduct search and rescue operations in a disaster.
Disaster psychology and terrorism: How will people react during a disaster? What should I be watching for that might indicate terrorism?
Team organization: How are CERT teams organized and how do they fit in with local, state and federal agencies that respond to disasters?
Some Utah CERT teams
A listing of cities, counties, schools and other groups that offer CERT training is available at www.citizencorps.gov:
South Ogden: www.southogdenfire.com
Springville: info@cert.artcity.org
South Jordan City: www.southjordanfire.org
Utah County: www.3steps.org
Orem: www.orem.org
Provo: www.provo.org/fire.ppd_emergency_main.html
Washington County, La Verkin: rbice@infowest.com
Weber County, Huntsville, Eden, Liberty: www.weberfiredistrict.utah.gov
West Valley City: new.wvcert.org
Utah state: cert.utah.gov
Davis County, Clearfield Web site: www.clearfieldcity.org. E-mail: msparks@clearfieldcity.org
Brigham Young University, Provo: www.byu.edu
Cache County, Logan: www.usu.edu/usupd
Farmington, Davis County: www.davis.k12.ut.us/emrprep/home.htm