Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC RES 2010-10RESOLUTION NO. 2010-10 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT, 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 http://pubs.usgs.gov/qip/earthg3/when.html); and 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. 2010-10 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 an 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 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 2 RESOLUTION NO. 2010-10 WHEREAS, The City of Palm Desert 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 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 Desert 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 Desert, California, 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. PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this 25th day of February 2010, by the City Council of the City of Palm Desert, California, by the following vote, to wit: AYES: BENSON, FERGUSON, KELLY, SPIEGEL, and FINERTY NOES: NONE ABSENT: NONE ABSTAIN: NONE ATTEST: RACHELLE D. LASS N', CITY CLER CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNI C NDY FINR , MAYOR 3