which is charged with focusing Federal efforts to respond to
emergencies of all types and lessen their impacts before they occur.
The NEHRP has six high-priority thrusts:

» Overall coordination of Federal departments and agencies'
programs

» Maintenance of a comprehensive program of research and
development for earthquake prediction and hazards
mitigation

» Leadership and support of the Federal Interagency
Committee on Seismic Safety in Construction as it develops
seismic design and construction standards for use in
Federal projects

» Development of response plans and assistance to State and
local governments in the preparation of their plans

» Analysis of the ability of financial institutions to
perform their functions after a creditable prediction of
an earthquake as well as after an event, together with an
exploration of the feasibility of using these institutions
to foster hazard reduction

» An examination of the appropriate role of insurance in
mitigating the impacts of earthquakes.

More recently, a cooperative Federal, State, local, and private-sector
effort was initiated to prepare for responding to a credible