- NEHRP involves the closely coordinated efforts of four federal agencies – FEMA, the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the National Science Foundation (NSF), and the National Institute of Standards and Technology. These agencies work collaboratively with each other, with other federal and state agencies, private companies, universities, regional, voluntary and professional organizations. Within NEHRP, FEMA plays two roles. First, we serve as lead agency for the program. This involves program coordination, both within the federal government and with external constituencies, the preparation of a consolidated budget document and a multi-year program plan, and periodic reports to Congress. Second, we work to realize the second goal of NEHRP by translating the results of research and technology development in to effective earthquake hazard reduction measures at state and local levels of government. I will report briefly on several significant activities that have occurred since we last appeared before this distinguished Committee. More detail is provided in my prepared statement for the record. Last month, we began training state government representatives on the use of HAZUS, an earthquake loss estimation model that provides a uniform means of computing and graphically displaying earthquake hazards vulnerability. The model, which incorporates the revised USGS spectral response maps, can aid decision-makers in determining the degree to which earthquake losses may be reduced by applying mitigation measures. It provides emergency managers with a tool for earthquake response planning. Finally, it offers the prospect of providing both a baseline and future measurement of seismic risk in the context of the Government Performance and Results Act, thereby assisting in directing limited resources to areas where their impact will be the greatest. By the end of 1997 we will have completed the triennial update of the NEHRP Recommended Provisions for Seismic Regulations for New Buildings. The Provisions present criteria for the design and construction of buildings subject to earthquakes anywhere in the United States and been have adopted by, or influenced changes to, all three of the nation's model building codes. The new single model code, the International Building Code, will use the 1997 version as the basis for its seismic provisions. We are well into a multi-year study of the seismic performance of steel moment frame construction following unexpected problems with these buildings in the Northridge earthquake. The first phase of this effort produced interim guidelines for the evaluation, repair, modification and design of these structures. These guidelines, along with work done by NSF and NIST, establish the de facto standard at this time. In September we will publish the NEHRP Guidelines for the Seismic Rehabilitation of Buildings and a related Commentary, providing nationally applicable technical criteria covering all building materials and types. These documents will permit the choice of design approaches consistent with different levels of seismic safety as dictated by location, building type, performance objective, or other considerations. Companion documents will provide examples of how to apply the Guidelines and will discuss the societal implications to localities of undertaking extensive rehabilitation programs. 39-999 98-2 3 Current building codes use the life safety standard as the design performance level. The objective is to prevent loss of life by preventing collapse of the building. There are facilities for which this standard is inadequate, such as hospitals, fire stations, and other structures that owner would like to have functional - or functional with minimal repairs - immediately after an earthquake. Our next area of emphasis will be developing acceptable performance-based criteria for both new and existing construction. FEMA continues its oversight of the implementation of the two earthquake leased, assisted or regulated by the federal government and with existing buildings owned by the federal government, with assistance from NIST and the Interagency Committee on Seismic Safety in Construction. In September of 1996, FEMA and the other NEHRP agencies hosted for the United States the first of two U.S.-Japan Earthquake Policy Symposia which brought together officials from both nations led by the Director of FEMA and the Minister of the National Land Agency in Japan. The participants agreed to establish a continuing body for dialog on earthquake hazard reduction policies. A second Symposium is scheduled for this September in Kobe. FEMA continues its support of earthquake risk reduction activities by State and multi-State organizations, providing $5.4 million - approximately one-third of our earthquake program budget total - as grants or technical assistance to 38 participating States and three consortia. This Committee and others have expressed interest in what might be done to accelerate the adoption and enforcement of seismic loss reduction measures by State and local governments. While our federal system has inherent limitations, I believe conditions are conspiring to increase interest in this area. First, Northridge and Kobe provided powerful shocks to the financial and other segments of the business community, and they are taking a greater interest in risk reduction for themselves and their customers. Second, our ability to use tools such as HAZUS to quantify and portray the impact of a seismic event increases the power of our message to decision-makers. Third, at the federal level we are interested in getting ahead of the curve by encouraging the development of disaster-resistant communities rather than responding to increasingly more costly natural disasters. Responding to a request by some Members of Congress, the Administration conducted a review of NEHRP culminating in the release of a report by the Office of Science and Technology Policy in 1996. This document, entitled Strategy for National Earthquake Loss Reduction, called for the formation of a National Earthquake Loss Reduction Program (NEP). The objective of NEP is to more formally involve the agencies of the federal government, beyond the NEHRP agencies, that have programs or resources that could have a material effect in advancing earthquake risk reduction. FEMA was designated lead agency for this effort, and has established a program office in the Mitigation Directorate to support the lead agency functions for both NEHRP and NEP. One of the primary objectives of the program office at this time is the development of a strategic plan for NEHRP/NEP, with the involvement and support of our NEHRP colleagues. In closing, I express my appreciation for the opportunity to address the Committee, and ask for your support and counsel as we address the challenges before us. 5 Senator FRIST. Thank you very much, Mr. Krimm. We will now turn to Dr. Robert Hebner, Acting Director, National Institute of Standards and Technology. STATEMENT OF ROBERT E. HEBNER, ACTING DIRECTOR, NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY Dr. HEBNER. Thank you, Dr. Frist and Mr. Rockefeller. I appreciate the opportunity to testify for the National Institute of Standards and Technology on the reauthorization of the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program. As a representative of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, I would like to emphasize the key role that standards play in earthquake hazards reduction. Our colleagues in universities are conducting basic research that leads to improved understanding of the behavior of structures under earthquake conditions. University laboratories, government agencies and industry are studying and improving our understanding of designs and materials that minimize failures in earthquakes. While this research and development continues, architects and engineers are designing buildings and roads, selecting construction materials and technologies, and building structures. A key way that manufacturers, designers and builders get access to the results of research and development is when those results are incorporated into standards that are referenced in performance-based building codes. NIST is the Federal agency that has the responsibility to coordinate Federal use of voluntary standards to encourage the appropriate use of voluntary standards by State and local governments, and to assure that the United States has the measurement technology available to support standards. To accomplish this, we work to assure that the best information from within the U.S. and around the world is available to the standards development proc ess. Part of NIST's broad responsibility in the standards area is focused on earthquake hazard reduction. In the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program, NIST conducts problem-focused research and development needed to link the wide body of research to particular standards and practices for buildings and lifelines— where lifelines are public works and utilities. This standards role complements the lead agency and implementation roles of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the applied earth sciences role of the U.S. Geological Survey, and the fundamental engineering and earth sciences research role of the National Science Foundation. NIST's role in earthquake hazards reduction is consistent with its mission to provide technical leadership for the Nation's measurements and standards infrastructure and to assure the availability of essential reference data and measurement capabilities. Standards defining the characteristics of and requirements for seismic performance of materials and systems are essential to public safety, cost-effective achievement of earthquake loss reduction, and the ability of U.S. producers and designers and builders to provide innovative and competitive products and services for the international marketplace. |