With offices in Northern and Southern California, the OES Earthquake Program provides planning and technical assistance on various earth-related areas of concern. Program staff members work with local and regional governments, businesses, hospitals, schools, human service agencies, neighborhood and community organizations, and individuals to address, among other things, preparedness planning, hazard mitigation, emergency response, business resumption planning, post-earthquake shelter and housing, and the complexities of disaster recovery. Formed in 1993 by combining the Bay Area Regional Earthquake Preparedness Project and the Southern Earthquake Preparedness Project, the Earthquake Program concentrates its efforts in the most seismically active areas of California, but it is involved in earthquake preparedness and damage reduction efforts across the state.

Earthquake Mitigation

Earthquake Hazard Mitigation Plans

• 2007 State Hazard Mitigation Plan Earthquake Section (PDF) (Go to section 5.5, pg. 149)
• Local Hazard Mitigation Plans (LHMPs)

Earthquake Hazard Mitigation Grants

• Grant Comparison Matrix (PDF)
• Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP)
• Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grants (PDM)

Earthquake Mitigation Success Stories

• Equipment Tie-Downs Reduce Earthquake Damage
• UC Berkeley Seismically Retrofits Buildings to Reduce Potential Earthquake Damage
• More Mitigation Success Stories

Additional Earthquake Mitigation Resources

• EERI Mitigation Center
• National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program

Earthquake Preparedness & Exercises

• Earthquake Country Alliance "Dare to Prepare"
• Nonstructural Earthquake Hazards in California Schools

OES Earthquake Preparedness Tip Sheets

• Earthquake: Drop, Cover & Hold On Drill
• Earthquake Planners for Schools, Home, Community, and Disabled
• Emergency Supplies Checklist
• Ever Wonder What Causes Earthquakes?
• How To Secure Your Furniture
• How To Strap Your Water Heater
• Organizing Your Neighborhood
• Preparing Children for Earthquakes
• Preparing Your Family
• Tips for Apartment and Mobile Home Managers
• Tips for the Elderly
• Tips for Pet Owners
• Tips for the Physically Challenged
• What To Do Before, During and After Earthquake Brochure

Earthquake Response & Recovery

• State of California Emergency Plan
• Emergency Planning Guidance for Local Government
• The ABCs of Post-Earthquake Evacuation

Earthquake Information and Resources

Additional Earthquake Resources

• Berkeley Seismological Laboratory
• California Earthquake Authority
• California Geological Survey Earthquake Information
• California Integrated Seismic Network (CISN)
• California Seismic Safety Commission
• CA Seismic Safety Commission Resource Links
• Index Map of Recent Earthquakes in California
• Liquefaction - What it is and what to do about it (PDF)
• Southern California Earthquake Center (SCEC)
• USGS Earthquake Hazards Program

Guidance & Regulations

• Article 10 - Seismic Hazards Mapping
• California Building Standards Commission
• EERI Mitigation Center - Building Professionals
• Homeowner's Guide to Earthquake Safety (PDF)
• Homeowner's Guide to Earthquake Safety (in Spanish) (PDF)
• Seismic and Structural Upgrades under the SHBC
• UC Berkeley Building Codes and Regulatory Resources