Our Purpose

The Earthquake Country Alliance (ECA) is a public-private-grassroots partnership of people, organizations, and regional alliances throughout California that work together to improve earthquake and tsunami preparedness, mitigation and resiliency.

Everywhere in California can experience damaging earthquakes. While much has been done to prepare, more is needed. Those of us committed to improving earthquake safety and reducing risk must find new ways to inspire all Californians to take responsibility and act now to increase resiliency. This is how Californians will not only survive the next big disaster, but get our lives, neighborhoods and businesses back on track quickly.

None of us can do this alone. Creating a culture of resiliency for all Californians depends on leveraging our efforts and sharing our strengths. The purpose of the ECA is to facilitate these efforts.

Mission

To support and coordinate efforts which improve earthquake and tsunami resilience.

Vision

• People of California take active steps to ready and protect themselves, their families, their businesses, and their communities for earthquakes and tsunamis
• People of California perpetuate a self sustaining culture of readiness and resiliency by sharing their readiness and mitigation activities with one another
• A robust network of public and private stake holder organizations, regional alliances, and individuals effectively coordinate earthquake education efforts that inspire the people of California to stay ready and resilient

Benefits of Participating

As an ECA member you will:

• coordinate your programs with larger activities to multiply their impact;
• be known for your commitment to earthquake and tsunami risk reduction;
• have access to a variety of resources on earthquake and tsunami preparedness
• network with earthquake professionals, emergency managers, government officials, business and community leaders, public educators, and many others;
• be connected with ECA sector-based committees developing customized materials and activities;
• align your activities with others in your area and with strategic partners (below);
• share the most current information on earthquake and tsunami preparedness.

 
In addition to supporting existing regional alliances and encouraging new ones, ECA welcomes all agencies, businesses, organizations and individuals who are stakeholders in earthquake preparedness.

Join us today!

A Brief History

ECA was founded in 2003 in Southern California when the USC-headquartered Southern California Earthquake Center’s  Communication, Education, and Outreach (SCEC CEO) program brought together many partners to plan activities for the 10th anniversary of the 1994 Northridge earthquake. This regional coordination led to the creation of the first Great ShakeOut earthquake drill in 2008, based on the USGS’ ShakeOut Scenario. More than 5.4 million people participated (in what was planned to be a one-time event).

With the success of this first ShakeOut, in 2009 the drill expanded statewide, along with ECA. Earthquake Country Alliance Southern California was joined by Earthquake Country Alliance Bay Area (originally “Bay Area Earthquake Alliance”) and the Redwood Coast Tsunami Work Group to work together towards common goals. An alliance for the Central Coast is now in development.
 

Our Major Sponsors

• The National Earthquake Hazard Reduction Program (NEHRP) is a partnership of four federal agencies: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), National Science Foundation (NSF) and U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The program provides resources to reduce losses caused by earthquakes in the U.S., including support for:
  • Research on the causes and effects of earthquakes
  • Building design recommendations to reduce earthquake damage and disruption
  • Activities that advocate earthquake risk reduction awareness and practices
• Each year, the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) applies to FEMA for (NEHRP) state assistance, which is then subawarded to USC for SCEC to administer ECA’s earthquake education, outreach, and mitigation activities.
• Additional ECA activities are supported through SCEC’s funding from NSF and USGS, and at times other sponsors.

Our Activities

• ECA’s cornerstone activity is The Great California ShakeOut, an annual statewide event with millions of participants intended to inspire preparedness in schools, businesses, state agencies, and all other organizations. Register today at www.ShakeOut.org/california.
• Through our support of California’s Tsunami Preparedness Week, ECA encourages all Californians to understand tsunami hazards and how to respond to natural and official warnings.
• ECA regional alliances (see below) hold quarterly workshops, participate in local activities, and develop resources for their region. The Chairs of each region develop statewide priorities with administration by SCEC at USC.
• ECA members can support the development of activities and materials for specific groups by serving on statewide committees for businesses, non-profit and faith-based organizations, healthcare, k-12 schools, higher education, seniors and people with disabilities, public sector agencies, museums and parks, and several others.
• ECA outreach bureaus coordinate media relations, campaign registration, and presentation requests.
• Each of these groups works with the others along with many partners to develop consistent statewide messaging, available through the website and printed materials. The best known are our Staying Safe Where the Earth Shakes booklets (statewide and regional versions) and Living on Shaky Ground in the North Coast area.

Regional Alliances

ECA Administration