Bernson Orders Study of Quake Alert System

Los Angeles City Councilman Hal Bernson, who is sometimes referred to as “Mr. Earthquake” because of his work in drafting seismic retrofitting laws, is pushing to study a device that could warn Angelenos before a quake hits.

In a motion introduced this week, Bernson has instructed city staff to analyze the system that issued a warning to residents in the Mexican state of Guerrero just before a magnitude 7.2 earthquake hit on Sept. 14, 1995.

In Mexico, the device provided a warning 72 seconds before the quake occurred. The device includes 12 solar-powered seismic detectors along Mexico’s Pacific Coast that sent alarms to more than 40 radio stations. Despite the warning, five people were killed in the quake and many more were injured.

Bernson said he wants the device analyzed to determine if it is effective and if it can be used to warn Los Angeles residents before large quakes.

“Anything that has a potential should be looked at,” he said.

Bernson said one reason he is enthusiastic about the device is because it may provide children at school time to duck under desks before a quake hits.