COMMUNICATING INDIANA'S SEISMIC HAZARDS: EARTHQUAKE OUTREACH AND RESPONSE PLANNING

Since 2010, the Indiana Geological and Water Survey (IGWS) has partnered with the Indiana Department of Homeland Security to communicate seismic hazards and earthquake preparedness to Indiana’s citizenry. Using a mobile earthquake simulator known as the Quake Cottage, the IGWS has provided more than 10,000 Hoosiers with direct earthquake preparedness information. Building upon the partnership established by public outreach, new efforts produced an earthquake response plan to effectively guide the Survey’s role in emergency management support. The IGWS Earthquake Response Plan documents the critical procedures that will provide relevant information to decision makers about the nature and extent of post-earthquake hazards. Staff roles, communication plans, field reconnaissance guidelines, and Mission-Ready Packages are detailed in the plan. Continued efforts to integrate the scientific community into emergency management have resulted in increased public awareness, the creation of partnerships within the CUSEC region, and added resiliency to Indiana communities.