UC Berkeley Seismo Lab MyShake Android app
The UC Berkeley Seismo Lab just released an Android app called MyShake (myshake.berkeley.edu).
MyShake is a free app for Android phones that has the ability to recognize earthquake shaking using the sensors in every smartphone. The app runs “silently” in the background on your phone using very little power – just like the step-tracking fitness apps. When the shaking fits the vibrational profile of an earthquake, the app sends the anonymous information to our central system that confirms the location and magnitude of the quake.
Our goal is to build a worldwide seismic network and use the data to reduce the effects of earthquakes on us as individuals, and our society as a whole. MyShake also provides users with information about recent earthquakes around the world and significant global historical earthquakes.
Location services (at least low power mode) is required for this app to really have the most impact. We hope to have an iPhone version in the future.
Join the MyShake network at
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=edu.berkeley.bsl.myshake
White House summit on earthquake resilience & Obama administration steps for EQ resilience
On February 2, 2016 the White House held an informative summit on earthquake resilience. The recording of the summit has been posted on youtube here. (The summit starts about 24 minutes into the video.)
And here you can read about the various investments being made by the federal government and private partners towards national earthquake resilience.
Employment Opportunity at EERI
EERI is seeking a creative, experienced, technology-aware, and dynamic Program Manager. This person will be a key staff member with internal and external leadership responsibilities. The Program Manager will have responsibility for multiple externally and internally funded projects and programs, creating and leading professional development programs, and supporting the Institute’s committees and chapters.
The Program Manager must be self-motivated, flexible, an excellent communicator, and an outstanding team player. An interest in and knowledge of earthquake engineering and global risk reduction is highly desirable. The Program Manager reports to the Executive Director and should be adept and comfortable working in a collaborative environment within a flat organizational structure. Some travel is required. The starting salary is competitive and is based on qualifications and experience. EERI provides a comprehensive employee benefits package, paid vacation, holidays, sick days, and a casual professional working environment in City Center Oakland on the BART line.
The deadline to apply is February 5. For more information on responsibilities and desired qualifications, please visit https://www.eeri.org/wp-content/uploads/Program-Manager.pdf.
Apply Now for EERI Housner Fellows Leadership Program
EERI is now accepting applications for the second class of its innovative leadership program, the Housner Fellows Program. This program has the strategic objective “to recognize and equip promising and motivated young to mid-career professionals with the confidence, skills and sense of responsibility needed to become lifelong leaders and advocates of earthquake risk reduction.”
The comprehensive program includes: a one-week hands-on leadership institute, two years of professional mentoring, participation in the EERI Annual Meeting and possible participation in a policy or reconnaissance-related activity. For this class, the leadership institute and EERI annual meeting will be back-to-back in July in Alaska. Two highlights of this engaging program are the group and individual projects, both targeted at real issues in seismic safety. Funding is being provided by a gift from Professor George Housner, one of EERI’s founding members, and support from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR) of the World Bank.
Three Fellows in the next class will be GFDRR-Housner Fellows, specifically from high priority GFDRR countries (see https://www.gfdrr.org/node/156 
for list). There is no set age range for the program—if you consider yourself a young to mid-career professional, this may be the program for you.
Each class will have 5 to 8 members. More information and application requirements are available at http://www.eeri.org/projects/housner-fellows-program .
Applications are due by March 1, 2014. Selected Fellows will be announced by April 15, 2014.
Help create a building resilience rating system
The U.S. Resiliency Council® (USRC), a new organization that will implement a building rating system for the earthquake performance of buildings, was formed as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Its objective is to facilitate the use of technical standards and systems such as those developed by SEAONC and ARUP as a basis for owners, lenders, communities, and other stakeholders to evaluate and communicate building resilience objectively and consistently. A long term goal of the USRC will be to consider a broad range of perils beyond earthquakes (e.g., hurricane, flood, blast).
The USRC will award Earthquake Resilience Ratings, much like the US Green Building Council® issues LEED® ratings. The USRC will establish an accreditation program for professional engineers who wish to employ the rating system. The USRC will also include peer review and validation of ratings. These features of the USRC rating process are a direct response to stakeholders’ perceived need to ensure integrity of the system.
A key principle of the USRC is that it will not develop technical standards for assessing risk. Rather, the USRC’s board and technical advisory committees will identify existing or developing technical standards (e.g., SEAONC and ARUP systems) that can be used to generate a rating.
At this time, the USRC is looking for firms and individuals to become Founding Members of the organization. Founding members will demonstrate industry leadership to create widespread interest in greater earthquake resilience. In addition, founding members will help establish initial priorities and long-term strategy of the USRC, including specific benefits of membership. If you have such an interest please contact EERI Member Ron Mayes (rlmayes@sgh.com; 415-343-3031) for further details.