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.
Meetings
OSSPAC meets bi-monthly (usually on the second Tuesday)
Next meeting: Tuesday March 12, 2019 9am
Oregon Emergency Management
3225 State Street Room #115
Salem, OR 97301
Call in Option: (866) 590-5055 Participant Code 751480
When available, agenda will be posted here. Event Notification
No current event notifications
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.
- CHAIR: Jay Raskin - Public member
- VICE CHAIR: Jeffrey Soulages - Public Member
- VACANT - Representative, Legislative Assembly
- Tiffany Brown - Local Government Stakeholder
- Matt Crall - Department of Land Conservation & Development
- Doug Dougherty - Schools Stakeholder
- Greg Ek-Collins - Oregon Department of Transportation
- Joe Karney - Utilities Stakeholder
- Ed MacMullan - Banking Stakeholder
- Walter McMonies - Multifamily Housing Stakeholder
- Trent Nagele - Structural Engineer Stakeholder
- Adam Pushkas - Building Owners Stakeholder
- Althea Rizzo - Oregon Office of Emergency Management
- Arnie Roblan - Senator, Legislative Assembly
- Susan Romanski - Public Member
- Cara Sloman - American Red Cross
- Aeron Teverbaugh - Dept. of Consumer and Business Services
- Yumei Wang - Department of Geology and Mineral Industries
Senate Bill 850
Senate Bill 850 (SB850) requires OSSPAC to establish a
committee to assist the commission in establishing policy recommendations
regarding life and property protection following a major earthquake or tsunami
event. The committee will conduct a review of policy options, prepare a summary
of existing state agency reports and studies, and prepare recommendations for
policy measures regarding life and property protection. This includes, but is
not limited to, investigation of insurance-related issues for earthquakes and
tsunami events. SB850 also directs OSSPAC to form a committee to look into mass
care/mass displacement activities after an event. A report is due no later than
September 30, 2018.
Additional Resources
Oregon Resilience Plan
In 2011, Oregon legislature directed OSSPAC to lead and coordinate the Oregon Resilience Plan. In 2013, OSSPAC delivered the plan and recommendations to the legislature. For more information and to read the plan, go to our
Oregon Resilience Plan.