New! A How-To Guide for Surveying Buildings Prone to Quake Damage

black and white graphic of buildings in silhouette

CREW is pleased to announce the publication of the Unreinforced Masonry (URM) Building Survey Workflow Guidebook.

View or download the guidebook

Cover of Unreinforced Masonry (URM) Building Survey Workflow Guidebook

Creating an inventory of buildings that are prone to serious damage during an earthquake is a first step toward reducing risk. Such an inventory can:

  • Help communities and building owners understand their risk.
  • Show local jurisdictions what to prioritize and where to focus mitigation resources.
  • Provide crucial information for emergency response and recovery planning.

CREW worked with state and local partners to prepare the new guide, which will help local jurisdictions in any state plan and implement surveys of unreinforced masonry buildings in their communities.

The workflow outlined in the guidebook allows the survey to be carried out by trained volunteers, which makes conducting a survey both feasible and affordable for small jurisdictions.

The Unreinforced Masonry (URM) Building Survey Workflow Guidebook was produced by CREW using funds provided by an FY24 grant from FEMA National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program.

Safer Buildings, Stronger Communities: A Road Map to Action for Earthquake Country

A Webinar Event

When: Wednesday, July 21 at 1:00 PT / 2:00 MT

Unreinforced masonry (URM) buildings can be deadly when the ground shakes. With so many URMs out there, the problem of making them safer can seem daunting. Now a new strategy—The Wasatch Front Unreinforced Masonry Risk Reduction Strategy—offers earthquake-prone communities a way forward. Join this free online event to find out more about the hazard and how your community can use this strategy to tackle it.

Register

Learn more about the webinar

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