Preparations for Quakes

One of the lingering questions that arose out of the rubble in San Francisco is how much preparation is enough. The thornier question, being asked in Orange County and throughout the state, is how much should be spent to prepare for a disaster that is predictable only in that--some day--it will happen.

The county’s Board of Supervisors must weigh earthquake preparedness against serious obligations for health care, roads and other vital services. When the earth is quiet, or only issues an occasional palm-shaking tremor, it is easy to put earthquake preparedness behind daily pressing needs. The Bay Area earthquake should serve as a timely reminder that the county needs to put a high priority on readiness for the major quake that seismologists tell us will hit Southern California. Whether that will be a time of finger-pointing for things not done, or a time to thank planners for thinking ahead, is up to today’s board.

Several years ago, the board, to its credit, ordered a study that detailed a $12-million preparedness plan. It voted in 1987 to go ahead with $3 million worth of the plan, but it did not follow through with adequate funding or even check to see the progress. As a result, less than half of the measures have been carried out by county departments. Still unfunded is $1.6 million for emergency generators for county buildings that would enable vitally needed services to be carried out in the event of a power outage.

County Administrative Officer Larry Parrish said last week he assumed the supervisors knew there wasn’t enough money for implementation of the $3-million plan so he did not bother to include it in budget discussions two years ago.

Parrish was right when he said that it is “not realistic” to spend “all of your resources getting ready for Judgment Day.” And he even was right when he said that it would be unfair to suggest that Orange County would be ready for such a quake even if it spent the full $12 million for preparedness. Earthquakes have a way of humbling even the most ambitious preparedness plans.

But, as the San Francisco quake clearly illustrates, much can be done to be ready.

Parrish was wrong to let up on the pressure on the supervisors. He should have kept reminding them of their commitment to finance those things they said were needed.

On Tuesday, the board will re-evaluate the county’s preparedness. Now, before complacency sets in once again, is the time to move forward with the plan already approved by the board.