NEHRP Clearinghouse
- Title
- Alternative Risk Management Policies for State and Local Governments.
- File
- PB83132993.pdf
- Author(s)
- Okrent, D.
- Source
- National Science Foundation, Washington, DC., May 1982, 17 p.
- Identifying Number(s)
- UCLA-ENG-8241
- Abstract
- A summary of two case studies of risk management, one involving seismically substandard buildings in Los Angeles and one involving risks from drinking water, is presented. While state government is shown to be responsible for controlling contamination of drinking water, resource limitations require a major Federal role in providing the necessary scientific information. Seismically substandard buildings exemplify a class of risks of accidental death which local government is generally not managing. The process of risk management is defined as usually involving these steps: (1) hazard identification; (2) risk quantification; (3) comparison with other risks; (4) policy formulation and implementation; and (5) risk monitoring and intervention. The study found that local governments involved in risk management practiced only the last step. Local governments were also found to practice risk management by reaction to some emergency. The methodology of risk management is examined and policy alternatives are considered.
- Keywords
- Water quality; California; State government; Risk; Hazards; Public buildings; Government policies; Los Angeles (California); Local government; Earthquakes; Water pollution