FEMA Educates Tulsa First Responders, Architects On Earthquake Preparedness

TULSA, Oklahoma -

About 4,000 earthquakes have rattled Oklahoma this year, and Tuesday at the capitol, lawmakers discussed a legislative study on earthquakes and fracking.

In Tulsa, first responders, educators and architects went back to class Tuesday to get a lesson from FEMA on earthquake preparedness.

The experts said whether it's a tremor, a rattle or the big one, buildings can easily be damaged. Tuesday's lesson was about spotting that damage and preventing injuries.

FEMA says they look at everything from the foundation to the way the lights are hung.

Most of Oklahoma's quakes have been minor, but nearly ten percent were a three-magnitude or greater.

Even the slightest shake can affect the structural soundness of buildings.

People need to know what kind of building they are in. Is it masonry? Is it concrete block, is it steel structure? And what resiliency does it have an earthquake event," Roger Jolliff, with the Tulsa Emergency Management Agency asked.

FEMA says knowing the basic facts will help first responders, educators, architects and builders.

Garfield, Grant, Logan, Oklahoma and Payne counties in central Oklahoma have been hit by two-dozen 4.0 or greater quakes, but seismologists call eastern Oklahoma's quakes light.

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FEMA Educates Tulsa First Responders, Architects On Earthquake Preparedness