Earthquake Technology Transfer

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The Federal Emergency Management Agency proposes to enter into a Cooperative Agreement for an estimated $330,000.00 with one (1) national, non-profit technical earthquake society (architects, engineers, planners, public officials, social scientists) composed of a membership from practicing professionals, educators, government officials, and building code regulators. Natural hazards exist everywhere. Throughout its history, the United States has experienced floods, wildfires, winter storms, landslides, windstorms, and earthquakes. But of all of these natural disasters, earthquakes pose one of the greatest threats to lives, property, and economy, not only to communities within the western and central US, but indirectly to the Nation as a whole. Under Public Law 95-124, as amended, Congress established the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP). In 2008, NEHRP agencies engaged in the development of a strategic plan to guide NEHRP over the 2009-2013 timeframe. The strategic plan focuses on three overarching goals to develop, disseminate, and promote knowledge, tools, and practices for earthquake risk reduction: • Improve the understanding of earthquake processes and impacts; • Develop cost-effective measures to reduce earthquake impacts on individuals, the built environment, and society-at-large; and • Improve the earthquake resilience of communities nationwide. This funding, provided to the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI), will support the following activities: • Translation of research and technological development into effective earthquake loss reduction tools and policies; • Dissemination of information about building codes and practices for the professional community; • Forums (conferences and workshops) that enhances knowledge, prominence and leadership of earthquake hazards reduction science and technology; • Workshops and training sessions that increase recognition of NEHRP and foster an understanding of NEHRP’s purpose and activities; • Advocacy of earthquake mitigation to the professional community and the public; • Production and dissemination of publications and other audio/visual materials that support the professional growth of individuals who will contribute to the vitality and strength of NEHRP; • Multidisciplinary approach of technology transfer supporting earthquake mitigation (i.e. structural, geological, behavioral, and social); • Promotion of better building practices within the building design and construction industry; • Access to large audiences of engineers, architects, and social scientists, represent large component of the earthquake risk reduction community; and • Assist with minimizing the suffering and disruption caused by earthquake disasters through the products produced by and through access to the extensive and diverse expertise of the EERI membership. Each fiscal year, FEMA will establish a target allocation for the Earthquake Technology Transfer Cooperative Agreement. The specific activities and the distribution of funds will be determined during the negotiations between FEMA and EERI. Projects or initiatives that are eligible for funding under this announcement may not involve Geospatial (GIS) issues.

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