potential legislative initiatives. Annex 2 summarizes current Federal
and California earthquake planning.

The environment in which preparedness planning in California occurs is
characterized by the following observations of public expectations and
attitudes:

» There is widespread public support for government
action.

» Most people have some ideas as to what government should
be doing.

» There is understanding of the need for hazard reduction
as well as emergency response planning.

» People are willing, in the abstract, to have government
funds spent for hazard mitigation.

» The public is not very satisfied with what government
officials have done.

» Public officials perceive that current preparedness
plans and response are inadequate at best.

As discussed below, the review indicates that all is not well in
earthquake plans and preparedness. Current plans and preparedness are
judged to be adequate for the "moderate" earthquakes most likely to
occur frequently in California. By moderate it is meant an event
causing property damage on the order of $1 to $2 billion. Such an