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Oregon Seismic Safety Policy Advisory Commission (OSSPAC)

After the Loma Prieta Earthquake in the Bay Area of California in 1989, Oregon residents wanted State government to address earthquake hazards and preparedness of the state. As a result, the Interagency Seismic Task Force recommended that a new state commission be formed in response to this need.

The Oregon Seismic Safety Policy Advisory Commission (OSSPAC), also known as the Earthquake Commission, is tasked with promoting earthquake awareness and preparedness in Oregon. The mission of OSSPAC is to positively influence decisions and policies regarding pre-disaster mitigation of earthquake and tsunami hazards, increase public understanding of earthquake hazard, risk, exposure, and vulnerability through education, and be responsive to the new studies and/or issues raised around earthquakes and tsunamis.

The Oregon Seismic Safety Policy Advisory Commission (OSSPAC) was formed as a result of Senate Bill 96 in 1991. Since this time, OSSPAC has continued to increase Oregon’s awareness to earthquake hazards by supporting earthquake education, research and legislation. Every two years, OSSPAC provides a summary report to the Governor of the Commission's activities. OSSPAC has formed relationships with the Western States Seismic Policy Council (WSSPC) and the California Seismic Safety Commission which provides a persuasive advantage to affect federal policy for the West Coast.

2025 Meeting Schedule

OSSPAC meets bi-monthly (usually on the second Tuesday)

Virtual:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87357421944?pwd=jbC4C57vaIeWmSX54ASEJlgMJEwHfM.1
Meeting ID: 873 5742 1944
Passcode: 003306

In-Person:

OEM Joint Information Center (JIC)
3930 Fairview Industrial Dr. SE
Salem, OR 97302
Room 147


Contact us:

chair.osspac@oem.oregon.gov



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2024​

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​​November 12

​​September 10

July 9

March 12

January 9

​2023


​​November 14

September 12

July 11

May 9​

​​March 14

​​January 10


2022


​​November 8

​​September 14

​​July 12

​​May 10

​​March 8

​​January 25

​​January 11

2021


​​November 9

​​September 14

​​July 13

​​June 8

May 11

​​April 13

​​March 9

​​February 9

January 12

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2020


​​November 10

​​September 8

July 14

​​May 12

​​March 10

​​January 14


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Members of the Commission

The Commission is made up of 18 individuals who represent a variety of interests concerned with forming public policy regarding earthquakes and includes six government representatives, six representatives of the public interest, and six representatives of industries and stakeholders. This variety of commission members helps direct the goals of the Commission for the benefit of all Oregon citizens.


Stakeholder Representative
OSSPAC Chair
 		Tiffany Brown, Lane County
OSSPAC Vice Chair
 Allison Pyrch
Department of Emergency Management Althea Rizzo
Department of Geology & Mineral Industries Jonathan Allan
Department of Consumer & Business Services Todd Smith
Department of Land Conservation & Development Matt Crall
Department of Transportation Christina LeClerc
Legislative Assembly Representative – House Representative David Gomberg
Legislative Assembly Representative – Senate Senator Dick Anderson
Local Government Stakeholder Tiffany Brown, Lane County (Chair)
First Responder Stakeholder Lesley Ogden, Samaritan Health Service
Schools Stakeholder Juan Benavidez
Utilities Stakeholder Nishant Parulekar, City of Portland
Multi-Housing Stakeholder Carolina Gomez, Home Forward
Building Owner VACANT
Banking/Insurance VACANT
Structural Engineer VACANT
Public Member Elizabeth Safran
Public Member Allison Pyrch (Vice Chair)
Public Member Anne Castleton