About Western states seismic policy council
The Western States Seismic Policy Council (WSSPC) is a non-profit organization that was established to promote earthquake safety and preparedness in the western states of the United States. The council is made up of representatives from various government agencies, academic institutions, and private organizations who work together to develop policies and programs aimed at reducing the risk of earthquake damage.
The WSSPC was founded in 1983 following a series of devastating earthquakes that struck California in the 1970s and early 1980s. The council's mission is to provide leadership, coordination, and support for earthquake risk reduction activities throughout the western states.
One of the key functions of the WSSPC is to facilitate communication between different stakeholders involved in earthquake preparedness. This includes government agencies responsible for emergency management, building codes, and infrastructure planning; academic researchers studying seismic hazards; private companies involved in seismic retrofitting and other mitigation measures; as well as community groups advocating for greater awareness about earthquake risks.
To achieve its goals, the WSSPC engages in a range of activities such as organizing conferences, workshops, and training sessions on earthquake safety topics. The council also conducts research on seismic hazards and develops guidelines for building codes that can help reduce damage from earthquakes.
In addition to these activities, the WSSPC also provides technical assistance to state governments on issues related to earthquake preparedness. This includes helping states develop emergency response plans, conducting vulnerability assessments for critical infrastructure such as hospitals or schools, or providing guidance on how best to allocate resources for mitigation measures.
Overall, the Western States Seismic Policy Council plays an important role in promoting earthquake safety across multiple sectors within society. By bringing together diverse stakeholders with different areas of expertise under one umbrella organization, it helps ensure that efforts towards reducing seismic risks are coordinated effectively across different levels of government and society at large.
If you are interested in learning more about how you can get involved with this important work, please visit the WSSPC website for more information.