Earthquake Preparedness: Budget and Training Plan
This paper presents a practical earthquake preparedness proposal for a large urban office building. It outlines the critical importance of budgeting for emergency supplies, drawing on American Red Cross guidelines to identify essential items such as water, food, medical supplies, and shelter materials. A sample budget totaling approximately $44,300 is provided for a building housing roughly 200 occupants. The paper also addresses preparedness planning and training challenges unique to multi-organization buildings, emphasizing the need for designated organizational representatives, coordinated evacuation drills, and community-wide participation. Evidence from ShakeOut scenario simulations is cited to underscore the potential severity of urban earthquake damage.
- Introduction: Earthquakes and the Need for Preparedness: Why budgeting is essential for earthquake safety
- Basic Supplies for Earthquake Readiness: Red Cross checklist of essential emergency supplies
- Sample Budget for a Large Office Building: Itemized cost estimates for 200-person building
- Preparedness Planning and Training: Training strategies and ShakeOut scenario data
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What makes this paper effective
- Grounds abstract recommendations in concrete, quantified data — the sample budget table and ShakeOut simulation statistics give the argument practical weight.
- Uses authoritative sources (FEMA, the American Red Cross, peer-reviewed indoor air research) to support each major claim, lending credibility to what is essentially a planning document.
- Connects people-centered priorities (life safety) to property-centered logistics (supply stocking, structural shelter) early on, establishing a clear rationale for why budget planning matters.
Key academic technique demonstrated
The paper demonstrates applied policy writing: it moves from general principle (earthquakes strike without warning) to specific recommendation (a tiered supply list and itemized budget), then closes with implementation guidance (training structure and community drills). This funnel approach — broad context → specific plan → execution strategy — is characteristic of effective emergency management proposals.
Structure breakdown
The paper opens with a brief rationale establishing why budget and supply planning are inseparable from life-safety goals. It then enumerates recommended supplies using the Red Cross checklist as a foundation. A tabular sample budget translates those supplies into costs for approximately 200 occupants. The final section shifts from materials to people, addressing the logistical complexity of training multiple organizations within one building and citing ShakeOut scenario data to emphasize urgency. References follow in APA format.
Introduction: Earthquakes and the Need for Preparedness
The budget is a critical component of an earthquake preparedness plan. Unlike hurricanes and some other natural hazards, earthquakes strike suddenly and without warning (FEMA, 2013). There are two main consequences of an earthquake, and they deal with both people and property. People are always a higher priority than property; however, property is often an interrelated concern. For example, the property should be well stocked with supplies needed in the event of an earthquake, which can help save lives and provide necessary medical treatment should people be injured. Furthermore, if the property has a structure or designated safe area to go to during an earthquake, this can mitigate injuries to the building's occupants. This proposal outlines a sample plan for a large office building.
Having adequate supplies is of the utmost importance when it comes to earthquakes. When an earthquake occurs, the demand for supplies is very high. The supplies needed may vary from one location to another and must be tailored to the specific site. The supplies required will also depend on the severity of the disaster, and organizations should always prepare for the reasonably worst-case scenario.
Basic Supplies for Earthquake Readiness
A basic supply list will include, but is not limited to, water, food, shelter, clothing, medical services, medical supplies, and many other items. The American Red Cross recommends the following items as the basic essentials (Red Cross, n.d.):
It is recommended that a team of no fewer than five people be involved in preparing the official budget and preparedness plan. However, a proposed budget and sample plan will be provided here. The plan will need to be tailored to the location, which will be especially challenging since the building is situated in an urban area. Urban areas are more prone to direct and indirect hazards than rural areas, as damage to buildings and infrastructure may be more severe. For example, gas lines can pose a significant threat in an urban area, and preparation for this must be included in the response plan. Furthermore, water line damage and severe weather can also play a role. It has been established that there is sufficient evidence to conclude that there is an association between dampness and mold in buildings and an increased risk of adverse health effects (Mudarri, 2007).
Works Cited
FEMA. (2013, January 18). Earthquake safety at work. Retrieved from FEMA:
Mudarri, D. F. (2007). Public health and economic impact of dampness in mold. Indoor Air, 226–235.
Muto, M., & Krishnan, S. (2011). Hope for the best, prepare for the worst: Response of tall steel buildings to the ShakeOut scenario earthquake. Earthquake Spectra, 375–398.
Red Cross. (n.d.). Get a survival kit. Retrieved from Red Cross: http://www.redcross.org/prepare/location/home-family/get-kit
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