Cohen Introduces Bill to Enhance Earthquake Preparedness

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Steve Cohen (D-TN) today introduced legislation he authored to ensure vital community services such as trauma centers and airports are fortified to withstand major earthquakes.

“One lesson that can be learned from the recent earthquake in Japan is that being prepared and having structurally sound buildings can make a big difference in the aftermath of an earthquake,” said Congressman Cohen. “Should an earthquake take place in the Memphis area, The MED would be inundated with casualties and our Airport would be the lifeline for supplies and relief aid. My measure would provide federal funding to ensure hospitals and airports across the country continue to play an important role in helping people during the aftermath of an earthquake.”

The Critical Infrastructure Earthquake Preparedness Act directs the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to create a new structural improvement grant program. Eligible communities would be located on active fault lines and could use the funding to reinforce hospital trauma centers and airports. Because Tennessee’s 9th Congressional District lies along the New Madrid Fault Line, Memphis could obtain grant money to reinforce The MED and Memphis International Airport.

In 2009, at the request of then Shelby County Mayor A C Wharton, Congressman Cohen secured a $500,000 federal grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for a seismic mitigation study for the 9th District. At the time, Congressman Cohen noted that the city was the fourth largest inland port and that 40 percent of the Northeast’s natural gas is carried through pipelines that run through Memphis. The city is third in Class 1 railroad service, has the third most active trucking corridor, and for the 15th straight year, Memphis International Airport handled more freight than any other airport in the world.