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* ��� atyof SAn1UIS OBISPO
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IS O� 990 Palm Street ■ San Luis Obispo, CA 93401-3249 ■ 805/781-7119
May 6, 2013
VIA FACSIMILE ONLY 916-327-8817
The Honorable Kevin deLeon, Chair
Senate Appropriations Committee
California State Capitol
Sacramento, CA 95814
Re: SB 135 (Padilla) Earthquake Early Warning System
NOTICE OF SUPPORT
Dear Senator deLeon:
On behalf of the City of San Luis Obispo, I wish to express our support of SB 13,
legislation that would require development of a comprehensive statewide earthquake early
warning system in California.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, California is the second most seismically
active state in the country. An early warning system can be used in a variety of situations, such
as slowing or stopping trains, warning airplane pilots and avoiding take -offs and/or landings, and
closing bridges. This system also could be used in industry and businesses to slow or stop
production lines, moving employees to safe areas, stopping potentially dangerous procedures and
securing dangerous areas. In the hospital such system would prevent a series of accidents during
operations and surgeries. Additionally, notification can alert the public to take cover, pull to the
side of the road, or exit a building.
Although earthquakes cannot be predicted, it has been shown that a warning signal of as
little as 30 seconds is enough to activate many automatic response systems, speeding the
response of police, fire and other public safety personnel, and reducing significantly the number
of casualties and financial losses caused by tremors.
For these reasons, the City of San Luis Obispo supports SB 135.
Sincerely,
an Marx
Mayor
Cc: City Council
Katie Lichtig, City Manager
Charlie Hines, Fire Chief
Senator Alex Padilla, fax 916-324-6645
David Mullinax, League of CA Cities