How often do San Francisco Bay Area residents review (or even read once) the sections about before, during and after an earthquake in the 'First Aid and Survival Guide' section of SBC/Pacific Bell's 'Smart Yellow Pages'? That book is in most homes near a phone used daily. Would people be any more likely to pick up a pamphlet in a local store and review it frequently?

Agencies that compete for public and private funding have little incentive to cooperate with other agencies competing for the same funds. I'm not a scientist but our family has included scientists, architects and engineers. Based on their comments in the past I agree with Chris that research and development specialists concentrate primarily on what they can learn and/or create and have little time left (and maybe little interest) in how their research might impact people in the future. Some building inspectors, architects and engineers do try to apply results of seismology research to building codes and construction. Our community has occasional earthquake damage and in recent years has required remodeling and earthquake retrofitting of many older downtown buildings and new codes for all commercial and home construction, but I don't know if upgrades are required for older homes.

If we want more funding for public safety, maybe the place to start is with elected and appointed officials who make decisions about where tax money is directed.

Mary C.