IE 11 Not Supported

For optimal browsing, we recommend Chrome, Firefox or Safari browsers.

The Worst Planning Assumption is, 'We Have Plenty of Time'

Too bad we don't have a Y2K Clock counting down the hours until the next earthquake.

I actually loved the preparations leading up to the Year 2000 deadline, called Y2K, back when many software programs in use had used 1999 as the last date to be working the program. What was good about it to begin with was the deadline itself. Then there were computer experts telling elected officials and business leaders, "You have a problem, that has a definitive deadline." Leaders back then sat up, listened and took action to allocate resources to address the issue. Even the general public paid attention and there were lots of individual and family preparations being done in advance of the date.

Fast-forward to 2017 and we have this looming earthquake and seismic safety threat — but, no deadline. Here in Washington state the generally accepted risk factor is an annual 5 percent chance of an earthquake happening in any one calendar year.

Then there is this story, Only one earthquake bill passed this year — and it made school drills optional. One legislative bill passes and it doesn't promote seismic safety, but lessens the amount of preparation required by schools. Some of these schools are in unreinforced masonry buildings (URM).

There will be much hand-wringing and finger pointing after the next big earthquake. Today the impacts of an earthquake are very predictable — we just lack any motivation to address them, as legislators, government elected officials, business leaders. We are too busy arguing with our counterparts about this funding bill or that one, or in the private sector, making money, quarterly profits and a return on investment for our stockholders.

Where does public and individual safety fit into our priorities? Duh, lower, lots lower, maybe on the bottom.

I've used this phrase before, "If it was illegal to have done any seismic preparation and allocation of resources toward seismic safety, would there be enough evidence to convict you?"

Eric Holdeman is a contributing writer for Emergency Management magazine and is the former director of the King County, Wash., Office of Emergency Management.