Reducing Nonstructural Earthquake Damage:

A Practical Guide for Schools

(Federal Emergency Management Agency, Washington, DC, September 12, 1995)

This 13-minute videotape describes the non-structural areas within a school that can be damaged and create hazards for students, teachers, and staff during and after an earthquake; and discusses preventive measures to lower the injury potential from these hazards. It confirms that the best procedure to use during an earthquake to protect oneself from non-structural injury is to go beneath desks and tables. Preventive techniques to make interior, non-structural areas safer during an earthquake are examined such as those used for shelving, filing cabinets, gas cylinders, shelf contents, glass windows, and water heaters. Information on where to find additional material on non-structural hazard risk reduction is provided.

Critical Time: Earthquake Response Planning and Schools (August 26, 1994)

A 14 minute videotape describes what earthquakes are and examines the disaster planning methods schools can use to ensure students and staff survive. It stresses the need for children and staff to know what to do during and after an earthquake, the evacuation procedures to use, and the potential hazards to avoid both inside and outside the school building. The tape also explains that plans should be tested and retested as the school’s conditions change.

Best Build 1: Constructing a Coastal Home

(joint FEMA - National Association of Home Builders video)

Provides information to homeowners, builders, professional designers, state and local officials on how to design and construct a coastal home that will survive a hurricane.

Best Build 2: Construction in a Riverine Floodplain

(joint FEMA - National Association of Home Builders video)

Provides information to homeowners, builders, professional designers, state and local officials on how to design and construct a home in a riverine floodplain to reduce flood damages.

Best Build 3: Protecting a Flood-prone Home

(joint FEMA - National Association of Home Builders video)

Provides information to homeowners, builders, professional designers, state and local land use, floodplain management, zoning, and building officials on how to protect an existing home from flood damages.

FEMA Video “Flooded Again Time to Fight Back”

Provides examples of mitigation activities and success stories from across the Nation.

Against the Wind

A guide for homeowners on protecting their homes from high winds.