Mitigation Strategies for Central Washington University and Surrounding Residential Areas

Document Type

Oral Presentation

Campus where you would like to present

SURC Ballroom B/C/D

Start Date

21-5-2015

End Date

21-5-2015

Keywords

Mitigation, Risk Assessment, Ellensburg

Abstract

This project stemmed from the Douglas Honors Class, “Hazards, Risks, and Resilience in the Pacific Northwest”, that specifically looked at earthquakes and their impact on communities in that area. Ellensburg’s susceptibility and preparedness in the event of an earthquake was analyzed through visual data and survey analysis. To accomplish this, this group assessed the Central Washington University campus, and the areas north of University Way using Rapid Visual Screening (RVS) guidelines set out by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Since the buildings surrounding campus are mostly stable, wood frame structures, Central Washington University is the main concern of this poster. There is concern with older parts of campus because the brick structures have higher earthquake susceptibility. A web-based survey to learn about the community’s knowledge, experience, and preparedness for an earthquake was also created. One hundred and twenty-four responses over a two-week period were recorded. This poster compared the total number of survey responses that fell within the area and whether or not they had an emergency kit prepared. The survey received a large proportion of responses from the 18-to-24-year-old age range that implies oversampling of the student population. Mitigation strategies were proposed to develop community preparedness after the results were collected. We propose that there is an increase in student, faculty, and staff awareness of the current Central Washington University Disaster Plan, and instructions on how to prepare an emergency kit for on campus housing. We also suggest annual flyers for off-campus housing in this area about earthquake hazards.

Poster Number

4

Faculty Mentor(s)

Tim Melbourne, Anne Egger, Pamela McMullin-Messier

Department/Program

Communication

Additional Mentoring Department

Geological Sciences

Additional Mentoring Department

Geological Sciences

Additional Mentoring Department

Sociology

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May 21st, 8:30 AM May 21st, 11:00 AM

Mitigation Strategies for Central Washington University and Surrounding Residential Areas

SURC Ballroom B/C/D

This project stemmed from the Douglas Honors Class, “Hazards, Risks, and Resilience in the Pacific Northwest”, that specifically looked at earthquakes and their impact on communities in that area. Ellensburg’s susceptibility and preparedness in the event of an earthquake was analyzed through visual data and survey analysis. To accomplish this, this group assessed the Central Washington University campus, and the areas north of University Way using Rapid Visual Screening (RVS) guidelines set out by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Since the buildings surrounding campus are mostly stable, wood frame structures, Central Washington University is the main concern of this poster. There is concern with older parts of campus because the brick structures have higher earthquake susceptibility. A web-based survey to learn about the community’s knowledge, experience, and preparedness for an earthquake was also created. One hundred and twenty-four responses over a two-week period were recorded. This poster compared the total number of survey responses that fell within the area and whether or not they had an emergency kit prepared. The survey received a large proportion of responses from the 18-to-24-year-old age range that implies oversampling of the student population. Mitigation strategies were proposed to develop community preparedness after the results were collected. We propose that there is an increase in student, faculty, and staff awareness of the current Central Washington University Disaster Plan, and instructions on how to prepare an emergency kit for on campus housing. We also suggest annual flyers for off-campus housing in this area about earthquake hazards.