Over the past year SCEC has been moving toward greater use and understanding of Hazards US (HAZUS), FEMA's earthquake loss estimation software program. The result is that SCEC is now considering both improving the data and models which HAZUS uses in its calculations, and promoting the use of the tool to governments, corporations, and consultants by forming a southern California HAZUS users group.

SCEC HAZUS activities during the last year:

• On September, 20, 1999, an introduction to HAZUS was included as part of a SCEC Science Seminar on L.A. Faults (see the agenda on our website).
• In March, 2000, Mark Benthien, Assoc. Director for Outreach, attended a four-day HAZUS training in Menlo Park.
• During Spring, 2000, SCEC Director for Outreach Jill Andrews helped plan an Emergency Management Protocol Invitational Workshop (see next item).
• in June, 2000, Jill Andrews, Mark Benthien, and SCEC Outreach Intern Alexandra Jordan attended two meetings of the Bay Area HAZUS Users Group (BAHUG). The first meeting was a User Applications Forum where current uses of HAZUS by corporations and governments were presented and discussed. The second meeting was an Emergency Management Protocol Invitational Workshop where key issues for post-earthquake response were discussed, such as how to create and distribute damage assessment maps quickly, and what the content of these maps should be. Presentations from both of these meetings are available on the HAZUS web site (www.hazus.org) in the "BAHUG" section under "Virtual Meeting Room".
• Also in June, a HAZUS demonstration for the SCEC Steering Committee was organized by Mark Benthien, Doug Bausch (Northern Arizona University), Bob Reitherman (CUREE)and Bill Holmes, Rutherford and Chekene Consultants. The all-day workshop included a technical overview of how HAZUS calculates ground motion, building damage, and casualties, hands-on use of HAZUS, and discussion of how SCEC can provide better data and models. Discussion also focused on the possibilitity of forming a users group in southern California.
• This summer Alexandra Jordan has been conducting a survey of possible leaders in a southern California HAZUS Users Group. Click here to view a powerpoint presentation of her progress.
• As a result of the June BAHUG meetings, SCEC's Outreach staff have been involved in three committees developing management protocols, priority post-earthquake maps, and auto-mapping capabilities

If you are interested in being part of a southern California HAZUS Users Group (if formed), please e-mail your contact information to benthien@usc.edu and you will be kept informed of progress.

In mid-September the following conference will be held to present the results of committees that have worked together since the June BAHUG meetings. Anyone may attend, but please RSVP by August 23.

HAZUS USER GROUP CONFERENCE

September 13-14, 2000
Wells Fargo & Company
3440 Walnut Street, Fremont, California

Conference registration fee: $25 for catered lunches, to be paid at the conference.

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS:

• Dr. Charles Scawthorn, EQE International, Inc., Oakland, CA, HAZUS Flood Module
• Invited: Dr. Earnie Paylor, Earth System Science, Office of Earth Science, National Atmospheric and Space Administration, Washington, D.C., Federal Programs and the State of Geospatial Technologies - Present and Future

AGENDA TOPICS:

• HAZUS Automated Mapping Capabilities
• HAZUS User Group Emergency Management Protocol
• HAZUS Post Earthquake Priority Maps
• SFBA HAZUS Eathquake Risk Assessment Report

For more information, directions, and nearby hotels, go to http://www.hazus.org or download an Acrobat PDF file containing maps, directions, and hotels.

RSVP TODAY: Jamie Caplan, jcaplan@mediaone.net