Utah is prepared, officials say
Threats of being displaced from home, family and life's essentials have become a worry as disastrous conditions in the Gulf Coast states still unfold. While everyone from emergency preparedness officials to church leaders are encouraging the public to invest in proper personal preparedness measures, many Utahns are looking toward the principal local threat an earthquake that could result in a death toll in the thousands.
But emergency managers say they have learned from previous disasters in the state, like the floods in southern Utah earlier this year and the 1999 tornado. And if an earthquake, fire, flood or even a terrorist attack happens here, officials believe the state is ready.
Derek Jensen, spokesman for Utah's Department of Public Safety, said that regardless of what is happening in New Orleans, the department is braced for disaster, and its personnel train on an ongoing basis. They have particularly considered disasters that threaten Utah, such as severe weather or a high-magnitude earthquake. And, of course, any sort of terrorist scenario.
"Basically, the way we look at it is take an all-hazards approach to being prepared," he said. "Whether it's a bombing or an earthquake, the response would be similar."
Once initial cleanup is sorted out with Hurricane Katrina, Jensen said he thinks it will be a priority for all states and local governments to analyze the positives and negatives of the emergency response along the Gulf Coast and look at what can be done.
Although the hurricane didn't necessarily open Utah eyes to preparedness during a disaster, it absolutely made the public more aware, he said.
"We've noticed a lot more interest from the public." People want to know, " 'How do I prepare my family?' I've definitely noticed an increase in that. That's a message we try to promote and educate, but a lot of times people aren't paying attention to it. We have a disaster like Katrina happen and people think, 'I could have been vulnerable to this.' "
Fortunately, many Utah agencies have taken precautions whether from a previous local disaster, in preparation for the 2002 Olympics or part of a detailed emergency plan.
And should disaster strike, officials say, the state is mostly prepared. Among the actions and concerns:
Seismic upgrades were done on numerous buildings as part of emergency planning before the 2002 Winter Olympics, and a major renovation is under way on the state Capitol. However, there are currently 65,000 masonry buildings in Salt Lake County without reinforcement, most residential buildings.
Comments
- Luxury home market stalls 12:02 p.m.
- Kirk Douglas classic on DVD 11:38 a.m.
- Zion fire moving southeast 11:36 a.m.
- More school-money than expected 11:24 a.m.
- Virginia 'Freedman's' project done 11:12 a.m.
- Teen relive Mormon trek 11:12 a.m.
- Oldest American to scale Mount Everest 11:07 a.m.
- Knicks sign first-round pick 10:59 a.m.
- Armstrong third, Leipheimer fourthe 10:58 a.m.
- 6.0 quake in China 10:43 a.m.
- Jazz brass debate Millsap match
- LDS seminary principal arrested
- 2 men cited on LDS plaza
- Jazz finances not quite so bleak
- HBO defends U. logo use in 'Love'
- Reactions on Boozer speculation
- Cash for Clunkers to get rolling soon
- Utahns among Texans' investors
- Man spots his stolen car
- Jazz rookies quiet Thunder youngsters
- LDS seminary principal arrested
252 - Jazz brass debate Millsap match
162 - Bronco collecting a galaxy of recruits
141 - Jazz talking Boozer trade?
140 - Blazers may offer Millsap a contract
124 - 2 men cited on LDS plaza
119 - Stadium of Fire flag burning was fake
98 - Fairness of BCS debated
81 - Chaffetz eyes challenging Bennett
76 - Letters: Single-payer system best
75
As more and more dads are put out of work in this economy, I've been...
The photographs are mysterious, brooding, dark. They show dimples and...
where do you meet?
anyone who wants this girl to share "any" of the blame are wrongheaded and...
Yep--just when you thought it couldn't get any more ridiculous, a couple of...
Thanks Bill for helping to stop this genocide and getting other nations...
So easy for those with no standards to cry and whine about those with them....
I seem to recall a black woman who once was asked politely to give up her...
What the Jazz need to do is trade all the players and fold. These guys are...
Its time to let Paul go and be over paid for a back up roll. Thats all he...
What if something like this happened to YOUR child?
It seems to be that people are forgetting who coached one of the best power...


You can be the first to comment on this story.