WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today Congressman David Wu chaired a hearing in the Science Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation to examine how we can better coordinate research on tsunami, earthquake, wind, and fire disasters.

“The statistics tell the story—in the United States, wind and fire cause approximately $28 billion worth of damage and kill an average of 4,350 Americans each year,” said Wu.  “Earthquakes, while periodic, also can be devastating in their impact.  The Oregon coast is already bracing for the potential destruction that would be caused by a nearby earthquake and the resulting tsunami.  We can and must do a better job of hazards mitigation in order to protect our communities as much as possible from the devastation these disasters can cause.”

The hearing focused on the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP), which is due to be reauthorized soon.  NEHRP has made significant strides in enhancing earthquake safety.  The prior reauthorization bill also created the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program, but research on wind and other hazards has not yet produced similar results.

“We’ve found that federal agencies currently have a stovepipe approach to hazards mitigation research activities,” said Wu.  “Separate and distinct programs exist for earthquake, tsunami, fire, and wind threats, despite areas of commonality such as prediction research, emergency preparedness needs, and the potential for mitigation via enhanced construction codes.  It is worth exploring whether a coordinated, comprehensive, and fully funded hazards mitigation program could be a more effective approach than the current stovepipe structure, where different hazards communities fight for their own funding priorities and lessons learned are less likely to be shared between those researching various threats.”

Using the information from the hearing, Wu will work with his colleagues in the Science Committee to develop reauthorization legislation.

The hearing also examined the role of social science research, which would be used to understand behavior and educate the public.

“The key to successful mitigation of any and all potential hazards is a coordinated and effective public education program,” said Wu.  “Communities along the Oregon coast are already working to raise awareness of the tsunami threat and how those nearby should react in the event of an earthquake.  We must all work together to best protect lives, homes, and businesses from potential disasters.”

For more information on the Science Committee’s work on hazard mitigation, please visit the committee’s website.