TABLE 4
QUANTITATIVE ASSESSMENT OF STATE PREPAREDNESS ACTIVITIES
| Preparedness Element | Number of Agencies | Percent of 34 Agencies |
| Existence of Plan | 22 | 65 |
| Conduct of Exercises | 27 | 79 |
| Public Education Activities | 10 | 29 |
| Public Information Activities | 9 | 26 |
| Operational Capability | 32 | 94 |
The quality of the plans, activities, and operational capabilities were then evaluated on a scale of 1 (expected to fail/inadequate) to 5 (expected to succeed well/adequate). The qualitative results are shown below.
TABLE 5
QUALITATIVE ASSESSMENT OF STATE PREPAREDNESS ACTIVITIES
| Preparedness Element | Capability Rating |
| Planning | 2.67 |
| Exercises | 2.64 |
| Public Education | 1.44 |
| Public Information | 1.50 |
| Operational Capability | 2.91 |
It should be emphasized that these ratings apply to the State's present level of planning and preparedness for response to a major destructive earthquake (magnitude 8), not a moderate (San Fernando-type) event.
C. FEDERAL RESPONSE
At the Federal level the principal capability to respond to a catastrophic earthquake in California resides in FEMA, the agency responsible by law to coordinate Federal activities in all emergencies. FEMA has developed a basic plan for supplemental Federal assistance for a major earthquake in the San Francisco Bay area. This plan, however, covers only the emergency phase of response (first few days of efforts to save lives and protect property). In addition, FEMA is participating in a broader effort concentrating in Southern California. This cooperative effort is getting under way with State and local governments, other Federal departments, voluntary agencies, practicing professions, business and commercial interests, labor, educators, and researchers. It is expected to develop an effective program to respond to an earthquake or a credible earthquake prediction in that part of the State. The emphasis is being placed on public safety, reduction of property damage, self-help on the part of individuals, socioeconomic impacts, improved response and long-range recovery planning, mitigation activities, and public participation for both the post-prediction and immediate post-earthquake periods. This pilot effort is expected to be usable in other highly seismic areas of California as well as in other States.