Programs to promote earthquake awareness and response | 03.24.2006 | 07:54:53 | Views: 6996 | ID: March 22 '06: Emergency management officials in California are marking the 100th anniversary of the San Francisco earthquake by urging residents in the state "to be aware that a major earthquake can occur at any moment - day or night - and be prepared for it when it does," a Federal Emergency Management statement read. Karen Armes, the acting director of FEMA's Region IX said in the statement, "Unlike hurricanes and tornadoes, earthquakes occur without warning - and once they do, it's too late to prepare for them. The time to get ready is now." The earthquake, which struck on April 18, 1906 at 5:12 am "ranks as one of the most significant earthquakes of all time," a US Geological Survey website read. In the FEMA release, Californians, and San Franciscans are urged to learn more information about how to prepare their homes and families in the event of a large earthquake. "Years of experience have shown that ground movement during an earthquake is seldom the direct cause of death and injury," the FEMA statement read. "In fact, most earthquake-related injuries result from collapsing walls, flying glass, and falling objects as a result of the ground shaking, or people trying to move more than a few feet during the shaking." As a result, FEMA has partnered with the Red Cross, the California Earthquake Authority, the USGS and other media and corporate bodies to form the 1906 Earthquake Centennial Alliance to help spread information about how to stay safe and what to do after a large earthquake. On it's website, the Alliance said its creation was "to help coordinate and promote efforts and activities between organizations throughout Northern California planning to commemorate the earthquake."
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