Schiff, other Congress members support early earthquake warning system
A pedestrian walks by a street damaged by an earthquake in Tumwater, Wash. in 2001. On Wednesday, several members of Congress sent a letter to President Obama, urging him to increase funding for an early earthquake warning program that they say would save lives and aid first responders and residents.
Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank), along with 35 members of the U.S. Congress, on Wednesday urged President Obama and the White House’s Office of Management and Budget to increase funding for earthquake hazards programs in the fiscal year 2017 budget.
Specifically, they requested $16.1 million for an on-shore Earthquake Early Warning System being developed by scientists in Southern California and along the West Coast.
They said such a system would be enormously helpful in giving residents and first responders advance notice that could help save lives, avoid injuries and avert major infrastructure damage by slowing trains to prevent derailment, stopping elevators, pausing surgeries and taking other actions if a major earthquake hits.
“While we appreciate past investments in earthquake programs and recognize the inclusion of [an Early Earthquake Warning System] in your fiscal year 2016 budget, full funding of [a system] is critical,” that letter states. “This is proven technology that will save lives and reduce the economic impact of an earthquake; it simply needs to be properly funded.”
Schiff said the system is needed as soon possible.
“Every day, we are one day closer to the inevitable ‘big one,’ and this technology, once implemented, will be an invaluable tool to save lives and property,” he said in a statement.
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Mark Kellam, mark.kellam@latimes.com
Twitter: @LAMarkKellam
