Free Public Forum Coincides with Global “Great ShakeOut” Preparedness Drill

Memphis, TN – The Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH) is joining local, national and international experts for a free earthquake resiliency forum on Thursday, October 17 at the University of Memphis.  The Central U.S. Earthquake Consortium, Center for Earthquake Research and Information, and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), FLASH and others are presenting the forum in conjunction with the Great Shakeout– a global earthquake safety and preparedness drill.  Of more than 18 million registered worldwide, 2.3 million residents in Tennessee, Arkansas and surrounding regions will participate in the Great Central U.S. ShakeOut.

“Earthquakes leave us with no time to prepare, which is why it is so important to get ready now,” said FLASH President and CEO Leslie Chapman-Henderson.  “Last year’s 3.9 magnitude Parkin earthquake just thirty miles from Memphis is a stark reminder that the risk to this region is real.”

Forum presentations will include:

• Life safety and economic impacts on families, businesses and communities
• Lessons learned from Christchurch, New Zealand where the threat profile is similar to Memphis
• Building codes, building practices and community planning tools available to reduce losses

FLASH will join the “Building a Resilient Memphis” panel to discuss the role modern, model codes play in creating resilient communities.   Following the public forum, participants will have the opportunity to view exhibits from participating organizations.  FLASH will be providing free consumer and business resources, including FEMA’s QuakeSmart Toolkit for Small Business which provides structural and nonstructural mitigation information; Earthquake:  Protect Your Home, Prepare Your Home, Protect Your Contents printed FLASH Cards and the new Earthquake: Protect Your Contents, Secure Your Space animation.

WHAT: Free Public Forum on Building Resiliency in the Face of Earthquake Risk

WHO: Citizens, business leaders, public officials, news media

WHEN: Thursday, October 17, from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. CDT http://www.shakeout.org/

WHERE: Michael D. Rose Theater and Lecture Hall, University of Memphis main campus.

Visit www.cusec.org for more information about the Forum and visit www.flash.org for free earthquake safety and mitigation resources.