BUILDING A COMMUNICATION, EDUCATION, OUTREACH, AND TECHNICAL ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM FOR THE SHAKEALERT EARTHQUAKE EARLY WARNING SYSTEM (Invited Presentation)

Earthquakes pose a national challenge because more than 143 million people across 39 states live in areas of significant seismic risk. Most of the nation’s earthquake risk is concentrated on the continental West Coast (Washington, Oregon, and California). To reduce risk of injury and damage from earthquakes, the ShakeAlert^® Earthquake Early Warning system, has been developed and is operated by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). ShakeAlert is currently operational in California, Oregon, and Washington. The ShakeAlert system quickly detects significant earthquakes, estimates shaking, and issues data packages called ShakeAlert Messages to technical partners, such as a transportation agency or a cell phone app operator. To increase success, ShakeAlert public engagement integrates with and leverages broader earthquake risk programs such as the Great ShakeOut. New methods and products for dissemination could be multidisciplinary, cost-effective, inclusive, and consistent with existing hazards education and communication efforts to increase the efficacy of these programs. In order to achieve consistency and coordination of public education and messages, the ShakeAlert Joint Committee for Communication, Education, Outreach, and Technical Engagement (JCCEO&TE), was formed in 2017. This group is charged with identifying, developing, and cultivating partnerships with ShakeAlert stakeholders including Federal, State, academic partners, private companies, policy makers, and local organizations. The various working groups in ShakeAlert JCCEO&TE work together to develop materials, methods for delivery, and ways to reach stakeholders with information on ShakeAlert, earthquake preparedness, and emergency protective actions. Developing standards is critical to ensuring information communicated via the alerts is consistent across the public and private sectors and achieves a common understanding of what actions users should take when they receive a ShakeAlert-powered alert. The JCCEO&TE brings together the USGS, participating states and agencies, and many others, so that the implementation of ShakeAlert is a collective effort requiring the participation of hundreds of stakeholders committed to ensuring public accessibility.