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Southern California HAZUS User Group Kick-off Meeting

A "Kick-off Meeting" of the Southern California HAZUS User Group (SoCalHUG) will be held Thursday, April 26th, in downtown Los Angeles. The FEMA Hazards U.S. (HAZUS) loss estimation methodology is a software program that is used to estimate losses from potential earthquakes. Some of the objectives of SoCalHUG are to: network risk managers, GIS professionals and earthquake experts; train GIS professionals in using HAZUS; and improve earthquake modeling capabilities and databases. The Kickoff Meeting will begin this process.

DATE AND TIME:
April 26, 2001
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
    (8:30 AM: Registration & Coffee)

LOCATION:
Wells Fargo & Company
707 Wilshire Boulevard
Los Angeles, California
    Parking at the building is by Valet for $9.
    Self-parking next door is $7.

SPONSORED BY:
Wells Fargo & Company,
Southern California Earthquake Center (SCEC),
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and
California Office of Emergency Services (OES)
    Box Lunch and Audio/Visual Equipment Provided by SCEC

RSVP By April 23, 2001 to:
Jamie Caplan, 413-586-4762 or jcaplan@mediaone.net

AGENDA HIGHLIGHTS:

  • OES's Contribution to Improving HAZUS Results, Lisa Christiansen & Doug Huls, OES
  • California Division of Mines & Geology (CDMG) California Risk Assessment, Michael Reichle, CA Division of Mines and Geology
  • HAZUS-Driven Earthquake Scenario for Southern California, Neil Nelson, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
  • Using HAZUS in Local Government Planning, Doug Bausch, Northern Arizona University
  • Group Discussion: Purpose, Goals and Functions of the Southern California HAZUS User Group, Jim Buika, FEMA
  • HAZUS Training Opportunities, Mark Benthien, SCEC

The latest version of the meeting flyer (including directions, hotels, etc.) and the meeting agenda are available for download at http://www.hazus.org

For Additional Information Please Contact:
Jamie Caplan, Project Coordinator, FEMA Contractor, 413-586-4762 or jcaplan@mediaone.net
Mark Benthien, SCEC 213-740-0323 or benthien@terra.usc.edu

BACKGROUND:
The Southern California Earthquake Center (SCEC) California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (OES), and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are organizing the Southern California HAZUS User Group (SoCalHUG).  Public and private risk managers, GIS professionals, engineers, scientists, and others interested in using HAZUS are encouraged to participate.

The FEMA Hazards U.S. (HAZUS) loss estimation methodology is a software program that is used to estimate losses from potential earthquakes. Once the characteristics of a hypothetical or actual earthquake are entered, HAZUS will estimate intensity of ground shaking, number of buildings damaged, number of casualties, damage to transportation systems, disruption to electrical and water utilities, etc., and the estimated total economic loss. HAZUS uses a geographic information system (GIS) to display results.

The objectives of the Southern California HAZUS User Group (SoCalHUG) are to:

* CREATE a comprehensive regional earthquake risk assessment.
* NETWORK  risk managers, GIS professionals and earthquake experts.
* TRAIN GIS professionals in using HAZUS.
* IMPROVE earthquake modeling capabilities and databases
* DEVELOP and exercise emergency management protocol.

To join the user group and receive announcements of events, send your name, title, organization, phone, fax, e-mail, and mailing address to jcaplan@mediaone.net


Phone 213/740-5843
Fax     213/740-0011
e-mail: SCECinfo@usc.edu