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The independent study module aims to help members of FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation disaster workforce communicate the risks associated with earthquakes and effective mitigation measures to the public.
The module is part of a series of Independent Study modules for the Hazard Mitigation disaster workforce, which includes mitigation information for public consumption regarding earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, tornados, and wildfires.
The module covers topics such as how earthquakes cause damage, mitigation measures for personal safety, structures, outbuildings, and landscape, and beneficial mitigation publications.
The course objectives include training Hazard Mitigation Advisor Specialists to explain the earthquake hazard and how to mitigate future damages effectively to people affected by earthquakes.
The primary audience for the course is Hazard Mitigation Disaster Workforce Staff, and the prerequisites are FEMA Employment. The course takes 1 hour to complete and offers 0.1 CEUs.
FEMA IS-323: Earthquake Mitigation Basics for Mitigation Staff Answers
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What mitigation measures would you recommend for securing loose electronic items such as television sets, computer monitors, and electric appliances? | Use chains, straps, bungee cords, or Velcro. |
| To mitigate damage that can be caused to and by large appliances during earthquakes, which mitigation measure(s) would be recommended? | All of these are recommended. |
| What is the purpose of hardening a structure by strengthening the continuous load path? | By linking and reinforcing connections between each level of a structure, from the roof to the foundation, the load caused by earthquake shaking is transferred to the ground, helping to |
| Keeping tools to shut off utility supplies near the shut-off valves in not recommended. | FALSE |
| Loss of electrical power and fires are secondary impacts of earthquake damage | TRUE |
| Which publication(s) below should you recommend to the building or design professional working in an earthquake affected area? Rapid Visual Screening of Buildings for Potential Seismic Hazards (FEMA 154) Pre-standard and Commentary for the Seismic Rehabilitation of Buildings (FEMA 356) Techniques for the Seismic Rehabilitation of Existing Buildings (FEMA 547) | All of these are recommended for the building and design professionals |
| Why should HM staff direct the public to local building officials before repairs to earthquake damaged properties begin? | Building officials always require the use of licensed professionals to do the repairs. |
| Since an earthquake cannot affect coastal communities, there is no need for people living in coastal communities to purchase flood insurance. | FALSE |
| During an earthquake, earth shifting can cause a levee or dam to break allowing water to flood adjacent areas. However, flood insurance does not reduce financial risks associated with this type of flooding. | FALSE |
| Purchasing flood insurance is one way to mitigate financial risk in communities with potential flood hazards from tsunamis, or dam/levee failures that may be a secondary impact of earthquakes. | TRUE |
| A masonry chimney should be braced with horizontal metal straps every few feet against the structure and into reinforced points such as wall studs to stabilize the chimney from the shaking force of an earthquake. | TRUE |
| When advising the public about earthquake mitigation, which action below is the BEST to take? | All of the above. |
| What mitigation measures would you recommend for securing cabinet doors or drawers? | Use child safety latches and store incompatible chemicals in low cabinets. |
| The connections along the continuous load path are roof, to lower walls, to main floor to foundation. | FALSE |
| Construction materials and constructions methods used can contribute to the structural damage caused to a structure by an earthquake | TRUE |
| Which FEMA-partner organization(s) below would you recommend to the public for information on mitigating damage from earthquakes? | All of the above. |
| When asked, it is ok to give specific repair directions to the public | FALSE |
| Which publication(s) below should you recommend to the members of the general public in a community that is at risk of earthquakes? Reducing the Risks of Nonstructural Earthquake Damage: A Practical Guide Third Edition Techniques for the Seismic Rehabilitation of Existing Buildings (FEMA 547) FEMA Earthquake Basics: Science, Risk and Mitigation (IS-325) The QuakeSmart Toolkit (FEMA P-811) Protect Your Property from an Earthquake | 1), 3, and 5). |
| The earthquake mitigation measure recommended for a garage door is: | Reinforce the narrow wall on either side of the garage door because these wall offers little structural support. |
| Anchoring large furniture items can reduce the possibility of injury to people, damage to other items, and reduce the possibility that these items may block escape routes. | TRUE |
| FEMA-recommended publications can be found at FEMA.gov and | HM Disaster Workforce Website |
| Directing the public to building officials before repairs or rebuilding begins provides an opportunity for the building official to state that only licensed professionals are qualified to perform structural repairs or structural mitigation work. | TRUE |
| The type of soil on which a structure is build cannot contribute to the structural damage caused by an earthquake. | FALSE |
| Broken sewer lines and water mains are secondary impacts of earthquake damage. | FALSE |
