Overcoming Barriers

In spite of often repeated barriers to natural hazards risk reduction, the seven large lifeline organizations evaluated in this monograph have undertaken significant seismic improvement programs. Our study of these organizations demonstrates the variety of ways in which these organizations have started and sustained these programs. Educated by past earthquakes damaging their system or similar systems, and by past research and educational programs, top-level managers, and their trusted high-level inside technical seismic advocates in economically and politically robust organizations, have developed an overall view of their system earthquake vulnerabilities and developed adaptable, incremental seismic implementation programs.