NCJ Number
125136
Date Published
1990
Length
29 pages
Annotation
A survey of California law enforcement agencies following the Loma Prieta earthquake on October 17, 1989, solicited information on the impact of the earthquake on law enforcement facilities and operations as well as recommendations for improved responses and preparedness.
Abstract
After a review of the earthquake event and the law enforcement environment, the report presents findings from the survey, which obtained close to a 100-percent response from the agencies surveyed. Information on law-enforcement facility damage covers both structural and nonstructural damage. The report on personnel issues addresses injuries, staffing, and schedules. Information is also provided on the priorities agencies gave to various operations they performed after the earthquake. Some of the operations reviewed are internal capability assessment, damage assessment, the screening of 911 calls, assistance for the injured, search and rescue, evacuation, hazard response, and security for evacuated areas. The survey also solicited information on criminal activity in the aftermath of the quake, communications problems, mutual aid operations, equipment needs, training needs, and lessons learned. Attachments include a survey area diagram, photographs, a suggested equipment list, a sample dispatch, mutual aid radio systems, disaster training course, preparedness steps, and a fact sheet on the California Office of Emergency Services Law Enforcement Division.