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Volume 18, Issue 11, November 2016
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Despite Proven Benefits, Freeboard's Future in Louisiana Code Still Uncertain
The term "freeboard" is handed down from nautical engineering, used to describe the distance between the deck of a ship and the waterline. The higher the freeboard, the more protected the vessel from taking on water. The application of freeboard in home construction is no different.
That's why a coalition of partners, including the Association of State Floodplain Managers, FLASH, and Louisiana State University joined FEMA when they were invited to address the Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code Council (LSUCCC) on October 11 in Baton Rouge. The delegation's message was clear; the one-foot freeboard requirement in the 2015 International Residential Code (IRC) should be preserved, not removed, especially in flood-prone states like Louisiana.
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International Facility Managers Put a Price on Earthquake Resilience
With a projected cost of business downtime at up to $700,000 per hour, it's no surprise that International Facility Managers Association (IFMA) professional members are embracing the
QuakeSmart Community Resilience Program for Business and Organizations.
On October 6, more than 50 facility managers from across the United States participated in a session that highlighted the program and its guidance on preparedness, business continuity planning, and nonstructural mitigation to help protect employees, clients, and customers in seismic zones.
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(L to R) Brian Blake, Barbara Harrison, Jim WIilkinson, Patrick Sheehan, Cecil Whaley, Leslie Chapman-Henderson, Gary Patterson
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In Memphis, QuakeSmart Means Knowing New Madrid is "Not Dead"
Promising the audience that her research findings show that "the New Madrid Seismic Zone is not dead," Dr. Christine Powell of the University of Memphis Center for Earthquake Information served as opening keynote speaker at the QuakeSmart Workshop on October 18 in Memphis, Tennessee.
Through joint work with the USGS, Dr. Powell's research explores the unique geology that could be driving seismicity in the New Madrid Seismic Zone (NMSZ). Her findings are featured in this
Science Magazine article
entitled, "Scientists may have solved mystery of giant Midwest earthquakes."
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| Eric Letvin |
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New FEMA Policies Epitomize "DisasterSmart" at Washington Workshop
On Thursday, October 20, Eric Letvin, Deputy Assistant Administrator of FIMA, briefed QuakeSmart Preparedness Workshop attendees on recent federal efforts to advance resiliency, including standards and programs established under the White House National Security Council Office of Resilience Policy.
Mr. Letvin highlighted the proposed disaster deductible and two new FEMA policies that align resources with adoption of current, model building codes.
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Mark Benthien
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Mark Benthien, Southern California Earthquake Center
California native Mark Benthien knew what he wanted to do with his life from a young age, and he never looked back.
He earned a degree in Geophysics from the University of California Los Angeles in 1995, and a Master of Public Policy degree from the University of Southern California in 2003. Since 2001, he has served as Director for Communication, Education, and Outreach for the Southern California Earthquake Center (SCEC) at the University of Southern California.
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Collaboration Opportunities and Upcoming Events
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Ray Farmer
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SC Insurance Director to Address Charleston Workshop
Although South Carolina leadership is still engaged in Hurricane Matthew recovery, they understand that disaster resilience requires a multi-hazard approach. With this in mind, FEMA
, FLASH, South Carolina Department of Insurance, South Carolina Emergency Management Division, and their partners are going forward with the planned QuakeSmart workshop today in Charleston.
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Join the #HurricaneStrong HQ Exhibit Row at the 2017 National Hurricane Conference
Make plans now to attend the 2017 National Hurricane Conference, April 17 to 20 at the Hyatt Regency New Orleans, and join the FLASH Partnership at #HurricaneStrong Headquarters in the Exhibit Hall. The National Hurricane Conference is the nation's forum for education and professional training in hurricane and disaster preparedness with more than 100 workshops, trainings, and rap sessions.
If you are a FLASH partner and would like to designate your exhibit space in the 2017 #HurricaneStrong row, email
Sarah Chason
.
Visit
hurricanemeeting.com
for additional information, including links to conference and hotel registration.
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Sponsorship Now Available for 2017 National Disaster Resilience Conference
Now is the time to join our sponsors, International Code Council and ISO, to help underwrite the
2017 National Disaster Resilience Conference
set for October 25- 27, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. Through sponsorship, your organization will be recognized by the nation's foremost voices in the disaster-safety and resilience movement.
Planning is now underway for this exciting event, and a call for presentations is coming soon.
View sponsorship opportunities
here
and contact
Barbara Harrison
for more information.
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Popular BASF Sweepstakes Ends November 30
Would you like to protect your home from Mother Nature and the forces of wind and water without having to pay the high costs of reroofing? If so, there is still time to enter the resilient roof upgrade sweepstakes offered by FLASH Legacy Partner BASF.
The winner of the resilient roof upgrade will receive a treatment of Closed-Cell Spray Polyurethane Foam (ccSPF) to seal the roof deck to protect from wind and water while enhancing energy efficiency.
Visit
hurricanestrong.org
for entry information, and click here to learn more about the benefits of ccSPF.
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