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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes 2010-10 - CREWS CITY OF PALM DESERT OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER STAFF REPORT REQUEST: SUPPORT COACHELLA VALLEY REGIONAL EARTHQUAKE WARNING SYSTEM (CREWS) MODEL RESOLUTION SUBMITTED BY: Gary Rosenbium, Risk Manager DATE: February 25, 2010 CONTENTS: Public Safety Commission - February 10, 2010, Meeting Minutes CVAG January 25, 2010, Staff Report CVAG Resolution (10-002) CREWS Support Model Resolution No. 2oio-lo CREWS Summary Sheet CVAG Letter dated February 18, 2010 — John Wohlmuth, CM Recommendation By Minute Motion, support the passage of the CREWS Support Model Resolution by the City Council. Resolution has no financial commitment. Commission Recommendation On February 10, 2010, the Palm Desert Public Safety Commission voted unanimously to recommend that the City Council approve this Resolution. Backqround The CREWS project is a CVAG-led partnership with all three Coachella Valley School Districts, the Coachella Valley Emergency Managers Association, Seismic Warning Systems Inc. of Scotts Valley, California and KESQ. The potential funding for this project would come from the following sources: federal and state funding, philanthropic donations and private sector investments. CVAG is pursuing the state and federal government sources of funding; CVEMA is pursuing philanthropic contributions; and SWS is assisting CVAG and CVEMA with their endeavors as well as corporate funding. The CREWS design ensures that the school districts pay nothing for implementation and up to four years of on-going maintenance. CVAG is asking each Coachella Valley city to consider a resolution supporting the CREWS project. All three school districts have committed to passing a similar Staff Report CREWS February 25, 2010 Page 2 resolution. Once the three school districts and a consensus of local CVAG member governments approve the resolutions, CVAG wiil be able to present to our State and Federal Legislators this demonstration of Valley-wide support for CREWS as part of the effort to secure the project's proposed $3 million budget from State and Federal sources noted above. Cities may, as further demonstration of support for the project, consider voluntary financial support. However, this is not the primary funding source that CVAG/CVEMA is currently looking for and this resolution does not commit the City to any financial support for the project. Risk Manager Gary Rosenblum has been on the CREWS Subcommittee as a function of being on the board of CVEMA and has been the point person for our jurisdiction throughout this process. He is integrally involved with assisting CVAG and CVEMA in managing the program as it moves forward. Fiscal Analvsis There is no current fiscal impact to the City. Passage of the resolution simply states the City's interest in having an Earthquake Early Warning System deployed and operational for the schools and Fire Departments within our city. Submitted By: ; `����%G��/Z G�� Gary Rosenblum, Risk Manager Approval: � John . ohlmuth, City Manager � CITY COUN�7L��'ION APPROVED �.....DF.NiED RECEIVED OTHER MEETI G DA � — l AYE5• � ` � � . NOES: � ABSENT: . ABSTAI�V: VERIFIED BY: Original on File with City rk's Oftice PRELIMINARY MINUTES REGULAR PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION MEETING FEBRUARY 10, 2010 VII. NEW BUSINESS A. Coachella Valley Regional Earthquake Warning System Chairman Larsh asked if everyone had an opportunity to look over � the materials and if there were any comments. � There were none. � � Vice Chairman Lebel moved, by Minute Motion, to support the passage of the CREWS Support Model Resolution by the City Council. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Kirkwood and carried 4-0. B. Coachella Valley Narcotics Task Force — January 2010 Upon question by Chairman Larsh, Lt. Shouse responded that there was 1 officer assigned to the Narcotics Task Force. In the future, the report will be included with the routine reports that are submitted to the Public Safety Commissioners for its monthly agenda packet. He wanted to draw the Commissioner's attention to this particular report because it will be heavily redacted due to the sensitive nature of the investigations conducted by the Narcotics Task Force. The report will not be as detailed as the Gang Task Force report that the Commissioners receive on a regular basis because disclosing sensitive nature of investigations to the public would be detrimental to those investigations. Upon inquiry by Vice Chairman Lebel, Lt. Shouse responded that names will be disclosed when no further investigation is being done on that subject person. Vice Chairman Lebel moved, by Minute Motion, to receive and file the Coachella Valley Narcotics Task Force report. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Kirkwood and carried 4-0. C. Request to expend funds for purchase of File For Life materials. Vice Chairman Lebel inquired about the File of Life Foundation was a registered trade mark and any unauthorized use of the product or literature is strictly prohibited. A couple of vendors submitted language using File For Life and some File of Life, probably to avoid the trade mark problem. He also noticed that the quotes provided, even the quotes recommended, were higher than if you ordered from File of Life. He noticed that many of the items could be purchased from File For Life than from the recommended vendor. 4 DATE: January 25, 2010 � TO: EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE FROM: Jacob Alvarez, Management Analyst THRU: Aurora Wilson, Director Department of Community Resources SUBJECT: Regional Earthquake Early Warning System (CREWS� Model Resolution (No.10- 002) STAFF RECOMMENDED MOTION: That the Executive Committee: 1) Adopt Resolution (No.10-002); and, 2) Recommend that CVAG member jurisdictions consider adoption of the attached model resolution. Technical Advisory Committee: Concurs (January 8, 2010) Public Safetv Committee: Concurs (January 11, 2010) BACKGROUND: As you may recall, on December 7t" the 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 ,,r ;� Association (CVEMA) and local legislators. The CREWS Project will fund the expansion of the Coachella Valley Regional Earthquake Warning System to provide earthquake warnings for public schools and first responders. The CREWS Project will be responsible for the development of earthquake warning response procedures with emphasis on education, training and outreach efforts. The CREWS project will focus on regional needs, hazards, and priorities. CVAG's role would consist of: research and administer grant applications and other revenue streams for funding of this project; working with jurisdictions to secure strategic sites for system locations; work with CREWS partners to facilitate, implement, expedite, and expanding the CREWS networking capability thus doubling the warning time; and work to expand the early earthquake warning system by the means of regional partnerships. CVAG staff would like to formalize the Executive Committee's action as a CVAG Resolution, and ask that CVAG's member jurisdictions consider and take action on a Resolution of Support, as attached, to demonstrate the region's endorsement of the CREWS project. This resolution will be presented to our local legislators for use as support documentation for potential legislation or funding opportunities and by CVAG staff as support documentation for grant submissions. FISCAL ANALYSIS: There will be minimal fiscal impact to the CVAG General Fund as this is aligned with approved Public Safety Committee Goals; therefore, no budgetary adjustments will be ,;��, necessary at this time. � ��� EXHIBIT: 1. CVAG Resolution (No. 10-002) 2. CREWS Support Model Resolution � ;, RESOLUTION N4. 10-002 A RESOLUTION OF THE COACHELLA VALLEY ASSOCiATI�N OF GOVERNMENTS (CVAG� TO ENDORSE THE COACHELLA VALLEY REGIONAL EARTHQUAKE WARNING SYSTEM {CREWS)AND REQUEST RECOGNI'I'ION, 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 af seconds to a few seconds af warning of a large magnitude earthquake, both to mitigate injury and to aid disaster response and recovery efforts; and, WHEREAS, standalone early earthquake waming units in the Coachella Valley, QuakeGuards have the abifity to provide 0-60 seconds warning time depending on t4�e 4ocation of the unit from the hypocenter; and, WMEREAS, 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 sauthern San Andreas occurred in 1857, that section of the fault is considered a likely location far an earthquak� within the next few decades. (United States Geological Survey- http://pubs.usqs.qov/c�ip/earthq3/when html} �� WHEREAS, because the southern section�of the San AnrJreas Fault spans throughout the Coachella �'�� Valle a thorou h emer enc Y, g g y preparedness plan must include earthquake response and awareness, and local municipalities must strive to mitigate the devastati�g efFects of earthquakes; and, WHEREAS, in 2001, the City of Palm Springs began deploying early earthquake warning units, QuakeGuards, in tiocal 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 tv 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 iegislators; and, WHEREAS, CREWS will be critical to the safety of first responders, approximately 69,400 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 mitjgating actions, potentially reducing the number and severity of injuries; and, WHEREAS, the implementation of CREWS will require a collaboration between the Coachella Valley Assocrafran af Gaverrrrr�rents �CURG), Coacne��a Va��ey �rner-gerrcy rtr4ar�agers Rssacratrorr (CV�i�4RJ, the local school districts and both the academic and private sector (Seismic Warning Systems, Inc.). �s Therefore, the CVEMA formed an Earthquake Early Warning Subcommittee #o sstablish an Action Plan � �9. '���M` to develop the project; and, Page 1 af 2 ,; ;S`.. 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 priarities, and include collaboration with other regions; and, WHEREAS, CVAG's role will involve: 1) research and administer grant applications and ather revenue streams for funding of this project; 2) work with jurisdictions to secure strategic sites for system locations; 3)work with the CREWS parkners to facifitate, 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 (appraximate(y $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 fong-term support of the system ensures that CREWS will continue to be available as long as needed, thus, creating a sustainable funding model far on-going aperations, maintenance, and education; and, WHEREAS, CVAG requests that local State and Federal Representatives: 1) endorse and recognize ��". the impartance of CREWS, 2) facilitate, in coordina#ion 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 fhe southern section of the San Andreas Fault, mitigate the loss o�life, prevent i�juries, and protect first responders, from a major earthquake in Southern California; and, WHEREAS, CVAG 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 RESOLVEQ BY THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE COACHELLA VALLEY ASSOCATION OF GOVERNMENTS 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 LEGISLAT�RS TO ENDORSE AND SUPPORT THE REGIONAL PROGRAM THROUGH FINANCIAL AND/OR LEGISLATION SUPPORT. APPROVED AND ADOPTED on this �s day of .��N���y , 2010. Signed: Date: i���I i� eve Pougnet, Chair —r" T— � AT ST: �,�;� a n Stueckl , Executive Assistant Page 2 of 2 RESOLUTION 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 nefinrork 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.usqs.Qov/qip/earthq3/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. 2olo-io 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 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 2 Resolution No. 2oio-lo 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: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: CINDY FINERTY, MAYOR ATTEST: RACHELLE D. KLASSEN, CITY CLERK CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA 3 � Proje�t �� � �� �� ,I i ,; Fa�tsheet ����.. , . ��� � � � � �� _ � '' ,� ,,�.� �,,���� �,wr�,�/ �,. , .� , ,. [ __ _ __ _� �__ __ ____ ___ ___ __ ___ �C:�c�ac:l�ell�Valley Re�ic�nal E�rE:Fic���ak�c�Warnir�Sys-t�rT� ; � __... _ ____ _ _--,, ---_. --_ _ ___.. __ __ _ , A co-operative partnership to expand earthquake warning in the Coachella Valley '� �., ! ■ *^ = �r 3' ��- (CVAG)and the Coachella Valley Emer- � .�y gency Mana�ers Association (CVEMA) �-.z�,� . � created a public-private partnershiP with ' ;° F �F . ,y Seismic Warning Systems, Inc. for the �. � ---�."� purpose of implementing earthquake '' �� warninQ and establishing the nation's ' `� first reqional earthquake warnin� net- •� ' work. t , . 4 '� Since 2001, QuakeGuard earthquake warning has been operational in the THE ISSLIE Coachella Valley. These installations form the core of the Re�ional Earth- Recently published government reports quake Warning System. state that there is over a 99% likelihood of a major earthyuake striking California in The CREWS Project will accelerate the the next 30 years. We all know the "Big expansion of this system to make earth- One" is long overdue. Furthermore, in quake warning more broadly availab(e 2008, CISGS reiterated their long standing within the Coachella Valley. Earthquake conjecture that the Southern San Andreas detectors will be placed at strategic Fault is long overdue for a 7.8 or greater locarions alon� the Southern San An- earthquake. dreas Fault and San )acinto Faults, in critical infrastructure such as fire sta- THE PROJECT tions,and in schools. Waiting was not an option. Encouraged by local supporters and end-users, The Coa- chella Valley Association of Governments A workable model In contrast to any other early warning sys- regional miti�ation needs is warranted tem being considered,the CREWS finan- and can make regional earthquake warn- cial model will ensure that after the initial ing operational faster and more cost investment for deploying the system,the efficiently than other potential proqrams ongoing operation and maintenance of the of this nature. ................................................... early warning system will be self funded by the subscripttons of warning signal recipi- ents and not become subject to the obvious �� vagaries of California government Fund- For more information please visit the ing. At a proposed budget of just$3 mil- CRE WS website at: h ttP://crews.earth quokeearlyrvarning.com lion,CREWS demonstrates that utilization of a public-private partnership to address ............................................................................... �.................................. coACHE��A vA1.LEY EMERGENSY MANflGERS ASSOCIATtON ° � A collaboration between: Coachelia Vailey Association of Governments Coachella Valley Emergency Manager's Association Coachella Re�ional Early Warnin� System KESQNewsChannel3 Seismic Warning Systems,Inc. �,#�'� , � i * ���: ' &� Loma Pri,eta:Goldeo 6ate 6 r , /� y�� � � *" € � '' �A�„�,�y„!',� �� RrylNghlR) T ` }, �a t . .. tt�� ' � �� :S �},`'W � � � : :. . Pri ry1Plwave t � a kt ' 1 * d �'-� e . ,4 �.,'i * � t N 3� 1 " `� ���' �� � �' '. � i '��� t� '-T,z�'w�l i �� ��++ / a 4+`�' = c.c � �.�,�, 1{��1��4,�x �. .-. �. ,.,�r�a�t��p I �F ,� p r �i Shorl5lMM' li ' sr,�p5 � `.. . �.�°i . . . � v � � S � �0 � � �S 20 MwMI N� "'i:�.y� � . � � 9�•) �'�� � ���'� " ���. Earthquake det�,ction and evaivation y +'"P {��w�� � ��x� i� �;� ' � a � ��'�� �,�,�q �q�� � , � , ^ ��;,������N�4,r ; ��,x1 �' , � '" ������ ,,�a����, The shockwaves'produced by atl earthquakes T sr� �d V �,'�°� 5�' v t b �e . . . , travel throughxhe earth at di#f�Ent � ;�`� A�'� ��.;� �;, speeds.The fasiest of th�se is called � �� � the Primary,or P-wave.lts ar�ival announces �� �,� � `� the start of the garthquake and . , � � , . , �, r.,, . . , ���r������,�,������� indicates that stronger shockwaves are a 'r ���� ` � �� ' �" � �� ����close behindThe ne�shockwayes to arrive 1��►� �� ��rt�tiGtotl�r:+������fuakes: . ��r � � ����� � � � are call�d S.hear,pr S-waves,The �,,a q y �.7°'!� ,, , � = x '�t�z��t�t�n� �+�r+i�� . Earthquake Waming�ysterta detects P-waves, �, � � � � � �� �� �x���,� , � � � � analyses thern to reject small earthquakes, h A � , �, ,�� ;s fit�� , which are freque�t and of no consequence, • . "' -°� p �,',!. �»,a J'�,�, Y,t n. y �t� x� F� .. , K �M �� � ''�r . ,, F. ,. ,. ,.�:vi J }t ' � :X< .. �r„ } �. � ..�;:# , '.. } ,,,;; :.� ves are pproa hing and g�n rious shockwa ,�� d1�" s�r � �' � � � How CREWS will work: .: ' � � ��� � ,.�� � �� �'� �� ����x ,� � ��` " '�•t" ti �` 1. Sensors will be placed throughout ' �' �� . ' +p the Coachella Valley to closely ��� �� �, ` ���' �� � � �+; �� " � " '���. monitor regional faults. ,. . ` ' ��. ' -� ry�� , ;,�..w �` f�� :l. . 2. CREWS devices will be piaced in all "� � . `' ;�'� � public schools,some fire stations,and < . .. � , �`� ''` '�g, a few other critical facilities. � , i �;�� �E ,,�� . . � " �� ` "� �� 3. When an earthquake occurs,the ��� i , `�b� ,�I � ��. ' ,.,, . iN.,, closest of these sensors to the " j�i �! epicenter will detect it first. f* �ry � ....�:.:.,..—� : " . ,, ,� � � h v,� ��. ,. ,��� � 4. That sensor evaluates the P-waves � ,M ��,� ,N".;�.� `,� to estimate the intensity of shaking `" that will occur in the Valley. ��� ��,� �, ' ��" �:.... -� � �<�-� ; 5. Ifthe shaking will be serious,all other .. � � � `'T CREWS facilities will be alerted, -,>. d "� �' ` , " . � ` ' providing 0-25 seconds warning. o� �, 6. When a facility receives an alert,a local � "" alarm will be generated warning ,�•'�. people of the impending shockwaves '`�, '�'���' ��`� � 7. People drop-cover-and-hold-on �� � before the shockwaves arrive to �,::�. �. . ' ,,��: protect themselves and avoid injuries. ■ �oACHE�� vA<<EY ,�� �� - � � � z EMERGENCY MANAGERS RSSOt1ATIQN For more information please visit the CREWS website at:http://crews.earthquakeearlywarning.com CItY OF Pfll �l DESER � 73-5�� �RF��Wna�Nc Dx�vE. PAI,M UF.SI;R"1', C;ALIFORNIA 92260-25'J8 TEL: �60 346-06>> r�vc: 760 340-0574 info(�i�paLn-descrt.org ___ _.._ -- _. ___ ___ _ - ----- ---- ------ ----- --_ � C)i•i�ict:<�� inr•.(:rry l�L�ronc,i�.ia February 16, 2010 Tom Kirk, Executive Director Coacheila Valley Association of Governments 73-710 Fred Waring Drive Palm Desert, California 92260 Dear Mr. Kirk: The City of Palm Desert is pleased to support and commend the Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG), the Coachella Valley Emergency Managers Association (CVEMA) and Seismic Warning Systems, Inc., for its leadership in the development and implementation of the Coachella Valley Regional Earthquake Warning System (CREWS). The City of Palm Desert believes that the implementation of this technology is essential for the safety and welfare of the Coachella Valley. As you know, the Andreas Fault runs thorough the entire Coachella Valley and according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), California has a 99 percent chance of having a magnitude 6.7 or larger magnitude earthquake during the next 30 years. The impact to the Coachella Valley could be severe. By establishing an Earthquake Early Warning System, first responders will receive advance warning ranging from a few seconds to tens of seconds prior to actual ground shaking. These warning messages will allow critical time to prepare for such a disaster and may reduce the damage, costs, and casualties caused by an earthquake and by"fires following earthquake." The City of Palm Desert is proud to support our regional leaders who have been proactive over the years addressing mitigation strategies and disaster response plans. CVAG and CVEMA's leadership in developing the first user driven earthquake early warning system in the United States through the formation of a cost effective partnership that includes local leaders, private industry, schools, hospitals, fire departments and others, will no doubt play a major role in helping achieve a disaster resilient Coachella Valley. The City of Palm Desert also applauds the Self Funding Cooperative Model created to support long-term funding of CREWS. This will ensure that the CREWS System will be available given the hardest of financial times and will not be subject to ongoing State or Federal Government Funding. Again, the City of Palm Desert endorses and lends its support for your efforts in the development and implementation of CREWS. � � �'.Pi r YR J� � ,� � � 1�,�,,c��:,��,,�`4�.-c.�...,.� j��J hri'`�M. Wohlmuth, City Manager f �. "PAINiF114N A[(YfLEDPAP[A