For press information, contact Gabrielle Maxey

Earthquakes occur suddenly and with no warning. Planning and preparedness are vital to minimizing personal injuries, damage to buildings, and other disruptions that could be caused by a significant earthquake.

To increase awareness of the area's earthquake hazard and to promote planning among public, professional, and business communities, West Tennessee will observe Earthquake Awareness Week February 11-15. Sponsors are the Center for Earthquake Research and Information (CERI) at the University of Memphis, several state and federal governmental and non-governmental agencies, including the Mid-South Association of Contingency Planners, the West Tennessee Seismic Safety Commission, Memphis Partners for Disaster Preparedness and Planning, as well as corporate partner State Farm Insurance.

The goal of Earthquake Awareness Week is to create more disaster-resistant communities in West Tennessee. Events will include professional workshops to promote disaster preparedness among key public and private interests, town hall meetings in two high-risk areas, and an earthquake preparedness poster contest for children. Kicking off the week will be a series of public service announcements on television and radio, narrated by Gov. Phil Bredesen.

The schedule includes:

February 12
6-8 p.m.,Town hall meeting in Covington, Tenn., Covington-Tipton County Chamber of Commerce, 106 W. Liberty Avenue;

February 13
Noon to 2:30 p.m., Town hall meeting in Ripley, Tenn., Tennessee Technology Center, 127 Industrial Drive;

February 14
7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., New Madrid Seismic Zone workshop for risk managers and insurers, FedEx Institute of Technology, U of M campus;
2-6 p.m., open house at the Center for Earthquake Research and Information, 3892 Central Avenue, U of M campus;
7-9 p.m., Public forum on disaster preparedness, Michael D. Rose Theatre, U of M campus.


There also will be an earthquake preparedness poster contest for students in grades four through six in schools throughout the 13 counties of West Tennessee. Details about the poster contest are available from Michelle Dry by phone at 901-678-1723 or via email at mdry@memphis.edu

Details about the workshops are available from Gary Patterson, CERI public information officer, by phone at 901-678-5264 or via email at glpttrsn@memphis.edu