Applications are now open for the 2019 Travel Study Program to be held in New Zealand from May 5-12, 2019 (NZ time):

CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

Applications are due November 19, 2018. 

EERI is teaming up with QuakeCoRE, the New Zealand Centre for Earthquake Resilience, to offer an opportunity to be part of the upcoming Learning from Earthquakes Travel Study Program in New Zealand. This program offers a unique opportunity to learn directly from local experts in the field and contribute to knowledge of recovery from recent earthquakes in New Zealand.

The program is targeted at postgraduate students and young professionals; both early career researchers and early career practitioners. The organizers are seeking applications from participants across a diverse spectrum including social sciences, earth sciences, and engineering. Preference will be given to EERI members and QuakeCoRE affiliates.

“I participated in the inaugural LFE TSP in 2017 in Chile.  I found it to be very worthwhile in many aspects.  Our field trips were well planned with great opportunities to interact with locals and learn from their experiences during and after the earthquake.  The focus was interdisciplinary and practical.  I learned a lot about the state of practice in Chile, including state-of-the-art engineering and some great, cost-effective seismic solutions for low-income housing.  And perhaps most importantly I enjoyed meeting young colleagues from around the world, both professionals and academics, and working with them to report our findings back to the earthquake engineering community.” – Laura Whitehurst, 2017 Chile participant

Cost
Program participants are responsible for all travel expenses to and from New Zealand, and the following registration fee:

More Information
Information about the program goals and the outcomes of the 2017 LFE Travel Study Program in Chile can be found by clicking here.

Questions about the program and application process may be directed to Zoe Yin at zoe@eeri.org

Presentation slides and papers from the Eleventh National Conference on Earthquake Engineering (11NCEE) are now available for viewing online! EERI extends gratitude to the many authors and speakers who have allowed us to share their work. 

CLICK HERE TO VIEW

 Instructions for downloading papers & presentations:

1. Visit 11ncee.org/program
2. Click the downward arrow to the far right of the title bar.
3. Scroll to the bottom of the description to find the links: “download presentation” &/or “download paper”

UPDATE: September 30, 2018:
Governor Brown has vetoed both pieces of seismic legislation (AB1857 and AB2681) authored by Assemblymember Adrin Nazarian and supported by EERI. Thank you to all members in California who responded to our call to action by sending their own personal letters to Governor Brown. Click on the links to read the Governor’s veto  justification letters for AB 1857 and AB 2681.

While this development is a disappointment, EERI’s Public Policy and Advocacy Committee will continue to explore ways to reduce earthquake risk through policy. EERI hopes to continue working with Assemblymember Nazarian in his role a seismic safety champion for California, and is excited to continue and enhance the policy partnerships with other earthquake-focused organizations prompted by this legislation. All members are encourage to join the PPA committee to learn and lend their expertise to the effort.

Media Coverage:
Gov. Jerry Brown Vetoes Bill That Would Create List of Quake-Vulnerable Buildings (Los Angeles Times) Gov. Jerry Brown has vetoed an earthquake safety bill, AB 2681, that would have asked cities and counties to create lists of buildings that could be at higher risk of major damage or collapse when shaken. The governor wrote that he was concerned the bill “will not provide the greatest value for the significant investment this enterprise requires.” Read more

Calif. Gov. Brown Vetoes Earthquake Safety Proposal (Engineering News Record) October 3, 2018: Expressing disappointment, Nazarian said in a statement that “California is not prepared for the staggering cost in lives and property damage when the ‘Big One’ hits. I look forward to working with the California Seismic Safety Commission to identify and improve building safety across California.” Read more

 Please ask Governor Brown to sign AB 1587 and AB 2681

EERI stands in support of two California bills – AB 1857 (Nazarian) and AB 2681 (Nazarian), both of which recently moved to the Governor’s Desk after passing floor votes in the California State Senate and Assembly. Below are descriptions and links to both bills:

AB 1857 creates an advisory group (to which EERI is named) to explore and make recommendations on updating the performance standard of the California Building Code from life-safety to “functional recovery.”

AB 2681 requires a statewide inventory of vulnerable buildings in California to be created and maintained. This bill would, upon the identification of funding by the Office of Emergency Services, require the building department of a city or county that meets specified requirements to create an inventory of potentially vulnerable buildings, as defined, within its jurisdiction, based on age and other publicly available information, and submit that inventory to the office, as specified. By increasing the duties of local officials, this bill would create a state-mandated local program.

EERI’s Public Policy and Advocacy (PPA) Committee has worked closely with legislators in the development of both bills through providing technical expertise, writing letters of support, and testifying in legislative committees. In the case of both bills, EERI feels that these are not the only steps needed to mitigate seismic risk in California but they are important first steps to take.

We are asking interested EERI members to contact Governor Brown ASAP to urge him to sign both AB 1857 and AB 2681.

Here’s what you can do to help:

1) Fill out this template support letter for AB 1857 and this template support letter for AB 2681. Adjust the highlighted fields and add a bit about your experience or expertise if you wish.

2) Send your letters to Governor Brown via:

(a) The Governor’s website email form.

(b) US Mail to:
Governor Edmund G. Brown
State Capitol, Suite 1173
Sacramento, CA 95814

(c) Fax: (916) 558-3160

3) Share your action on Social Media or forward this information to other interested California residents among your contacts.

4) Fill out this quick form to let us know that you took part.

Please feel free to contact Zoe Yin (zoe@eeri.org) or Heidi Tremayne (heidi@eeri.org) with any questions.

For more information about legislation that EERI is tracking, please visit our Legislative Action Center.

Thank you for your support.