Running head: DISASTER PREPAREDNESS PLAN

Disaster Preparedness Plan

Marisa Rodriguez

Salt Lake Community College

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Disaster Preparedness Plan

If a large earthquake hits what would you do? Is it possible to have an earthquake hit salt

lake county? What impacts would it have on the county? How do we get prepared? If you are

reading this then you do not have anything to fear. I am here to help share the knowledge an

information I have found. Let’s start with the possibilities.

Is it possible to have an earthquake hit salt lake county?

With earthquakes, they are hard to predict but can happen in a geological place like Utah

County itself. As everyone knows, earthquakes usually happen along faults and quite frankly

there is a fault that happens to run the length of Utah County, from Malad City, Idaho, to Fayette,

Utah. If you take a look on the map, it passes near many residential areas. If a earthquake were to

hit Utah County, geologists estimate it would be, at largest, a magnitude 7.5. (Olaveson, 2014).

What impacts would it have on the county?

With the ground shaking in an earthquake it can potentially damage ground motions

extending north to Ogden and south to Provo at distances of 30 to 40 miles from Salt Lake City

(“Maps Show Potential,” n.d.). An earthquake has a hazard of surface fault rupture, because the

movement along the faults can break the ground surface if the earthquake is strong enough. If

there is a large amount of displacement it can cause irreparable damage. Along with earthquakes

come landslides due to the ground shaking. This is another hazard that can come from an

earthquake. Landslides are dangerous and can cause damage to buildings and homes along with

causing floods. They will occur possibly along the Jordan River in southern Salt Lake Valley

(“Maps Show Potential,” n.d.). Although there will be geological impacts there will also be

psychical impacts. If a 7.0 quake hit, more than 60,000 people would need public shelter and
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casualties would estimate 42,000 and most injuries would come from buildings (Davidson,

2010).

How do we get prepared?

There is not much you can do before an actual earthquake strikes but checking your home

for potential hazards like heavy objects sitting on high tables or bookshelves that aren’t attached

to the wall will help keep you safe during one (Olaveson, 2014). Earthquakes can also lead to

power outages and other disasters, so having a 72-hour kits can be helpful. Prepare an emergency

pack for every member of your family with bottled water, high-calorie foods, personal

information, cash, flashlights, a first aid kit, hygiene items, a change of clothes, toys and games

(Olaveson, 2014). With evacuations, the organization Be Ready Utah on their page of evacuation

(n.d.) state it best when it comes to evacuation and mention the following:

If you are told to evacuate, take the following steps:

Listen carefully to instructions given by local officials. Evacuate immediately if told to

do so.

If you have time, grab your portable disaster (72-hour) kit. Make sure that you include

any last-minute items, such as prescription medication, that you may need.

Wear appropriate clothing and sturdy shoes.

Be sure to shut your windows and turn off your HVAC so your home doesn't suck in

smoky air and cause damage inside your home.

Have a checklist of important items you want to take with you so you don't forget

something in a stressful situation.

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Take your pets with you. Even if a designated shelter isn't set up for pets, know that

officials may create a pet shelter.

Be sure to transport pets in their cages or kennels and bring any food or medications they

might need.

Lock your home.

Use travel routes outlined by local officials. Do not take short cuts; they may be unsafe.

Keep fuel in your car if evacuation seems likely. Gas stations may be closed during

emergencies.

If you go to a shelter, notify staff of any special needs you may have. They will try to

accommodate you and make you comfortable.

Be prepared to leave your home if:

Your area is without electrical power or water for an extended period of time.

There is a chemical emergency affecting your area.

Flood water is rising.

A wild land fire is burning near your home.

Your home has been severely damaged.

Local officials tell you to evacuate

Being prepared for an earthquake is important in Utah because it is a seismically active region

and many of Utah’s older buildings and lifelines have a low earthquake resistance. Furthermore,
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a majority of Utah’s population is centered in areas of greatest hazards, to the tall building to the

past damaging earthquakes in the past (Be Ready Utah n.d.).

The Utah Department of Public Safety (n.d.) has provided information on the emergency

managers all across the salt lake county which I deem is relevant and important if an earthquake

was to happen and it all includes the following;

Emergency Manager:

UFA Clint Mecham BC, EMC, cmecham@ufa-slco.org

Herriman City: Tina Giles tgiles@herriman.org

Office: (801) 446-5323

Murray City: Jon Harris

Deputy Chief, EM

Office: (801) 264-2777 jharris@murray.utah.gov

Salt Lake City: Cory Lyman cory.lyman@slcgov.com

(801) 618-7626

Sandy: Jeffory Mulcahy

Email: jmulcahy@sandy.utah.gov

Office: (801) 568-7279

South Jordan: Aaron Sainsbury

Email: Asainsbury@sjc.utah.gov
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Office:(801) 254-3742

South Salt Lake City: Blaine Daimaru, Battalion Chief

Email: bdaimaru@southsaltlakecity.com

Phone: (801)-464-6726

Fax: 801-464-6033

Taylorsville City: Ben Gustafson, EM bgustafson@taylorsvilleut.gov

Office: (801)963-5400

West Valley City: John Evans

Email: john.evans@wvc-ut.gov

Office (801) 963-3337

West Jordan: Reed Scharman Email: reeds@wjordan.com

Work: (801) 260-7300

State Liaison: Tara Behunin 801-538-3436

tarabehunin@utah.gov
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References

Be Ready Utah (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.utah.gov/beready/family/earthquake.html

Davidson, L. (2010). 7.0 earthquake: If the big one hits Utah's Wasatch front.

Retrieved from https://www.deseretnews.com/article/705359039/70-earthquake-If-the-

big-one-hits-Utahs-Wasatch-front.html

Evacuation. (n.d.). Retrieved from

https://www.utah.gov/beready/family/evacuation.html

Maps Show Potential Geologic Effects of a Magnitude 7 Earthquake. (n.d.). Retrieved from

https://geology.utah.gov/map-pub/survey-notes/maps-show-potential-geologic-effects-of-

a-magnitude-7-earthquake/

Olaveson, B. (2014). 5 natural disasters likely to hit Utah (and how

you can be ready). Retrieved from https://utahvalley360.com/2014/02/03/5-natural-

disasters-likely-to-hit-utah-and-how-you-can-be-ready/

Utah Department of Public Safety. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://dem.utah.gov/