(EMAILWIRE.COM, October 18, 2009 ) OAKLAND, Calif. – Today, leadership from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will join the State of California along with numerous national and local emergency preparedness organizations at events across the impacted region in solemn acknowledgement of the 20th anniversary of the San Francisco Bay Area 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake.

“While we remember the lives lost two decades ago, and while we will always be subject to such no notice events, the entire region is much better prepared to meet the needs of affected citizens than it was 20 years ago,” said FEMA Region IX Administrator Nancy Ward. “Thanks to stronger partnerships with our local governments, emergency preparedness organizations and the continuing emphasis on individual and family preparedness, FEMA is prepared to meet future challenges head on.”

As a part of the agency’s commemoration FEMA Region IX leadership will be participating in events across the impacted region today. Regional Administrator Nancy Ward will deliver remarks at the Marina Earthquake Monument Groundbreaking Ceremony in the Marina District in San Francisco. Deputy Regional Administrator Karen Armes will also deliver remarks at the Cypress Freeway Memorial Park in Oakland, and Harry Sherwood, a Region IX Branch Chief and Public Assistance Officer during the recovery to the earthquake, will participate in a commemoration ceremony in Santa Cruz.

The Loma Prieta Earthquake struck at 5:04 pm PDT, October 17, 1989 with a magnitude of 6.9. It was the largest earthquake to occur on the San Andreas Fault since 1906. Many lessons learned from the earthquake led to changes in the way FEMA manages disaster response and recovery. Most significantly was the emphasis on mitigation and preparedness by governments, businesses, and most importantly individuals. FEMA joins the State of California in encouraging people to take steps to ensure they are prepared should another major earthquake or emergency strike.

On Thursday, FEMA Region IX staff joined the State and millions of Californians in the biggest earthquake drill in history. The drill underscored the importance of preparedness.

For more information on the simple steps individuals can take now to be prepared, please visit www.ready.gov.



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FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.


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