E-Media Kit - Environmental Emergency Responders Plan for Major San Francisco Bay Area Earthquake

SAN FRANCISCO -- Emergency response officials from California, Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, Washington and multiple federal and state agencies have spent nearly a year planning to test their response to the Bay Area’s worst nightmare and most likely natural disaster -- a catastrophic earthquake with devastating environmental implications.

"A catastrophic earthquake on the west coast is not a question of if, it's a question of when," said Superfund Division Director Keith Takata. "This exercise is time well spent to practice how we would respond to such an incident."

As part of the drill, the earthquake will simulate the loss of and damage to major infrastructure resources in the Bay Area. Major bridges, drinking water supplies, wastewater treatment facilities, and chemical and radiological facilities will all potentially be impacted. As part of the exercise, field reconnaissance teams will deploy to test and strengthen emergency response skills.

"During a disaster it is vital that all state and federal agencies collaborate together to minimize the environmental threats in California brought on by a natural disaster,” said Department of Toxic Substances Control Director Maziar Movassaghi. “This exercise is a valuable training tool to better support and protect public health and the environment from toxic harm. All too often this has been an afterthought resulting in temporary, band-aid solutions as opposed to preventative, proactive measures."

This disaster drill will span multiple locations and the earthquake will result in compounded simulated emergencies. The scenario will begin with a devastating 6.8 magnitude earthquake along the northern end of California’s Hayward Fault, affecting Contra Costa and Alameda Counties. A series of additional complications stemming from the natural disaster will challenge the skills and resources of hundreds of emergency, public safety, transportation and public health officials.

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