News Release

04-21-08

ISS and College of Engineering to Present a Forum on Earthquake Preparedness

UNLV’s Institute for Security Studies and the Howard R. Hughes College of Engineering will sponsor the fifth in a series of security forums. Titled “Protecting America: A Forum on Earthquake Preparedness,” the event will be held on Thursday, May 29, 2008, from 3:30 to 6 p.m. in the UNLV Foundations Building, Blasco Event Wing.

The forum will present a showing of the award winning film “The Damnedest, Finest Ruins” by James Dalessandro, preceded by a “Shaker Table” demonstration of earthquake effects. The film depicts the devastating effects of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and opens the door to a discussion of community disaster preparedness.

Following the demonstration and film, College of Engineering Dean Eric Sandgren, Ph.D., will welcome guests and panelists. Scott B. Smith, Executive Director of the ISS, will moderate the panel session, which will feature Jim O’Brien, Ph.D., of Clark County Emergency Management; Chief Jon C. Klassen of the Clark County Fire Department; Lieutenant Steve Menger of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police; Aly Said, Ph.D., of the College of Engineering; and Mr. James Dalessandro, Producer of the documentary.

The forum will be free and open to the public. For more information contact Ross Bryant, ISS Director of Training, at 702-939-4625.