In December, Los Angeles (with the help of its seismologist-at-the-ready, Dr. Lucy Jones) released a hefty report chock full of recommendations on how to help the city prepare for an inevitable big earthquake (aka The Big One)—one of the suggestions was to strengthen the city's communication networks, namely its cell phone towers. Today, at an event advocating for temblor-preparedness, Mayor Eric Garcetti announced that the city is now planning a roll-out of cell towers that will hopefully stay functioning after a big earthquake.
The new cell phone towers could mean that, during the earthquake itself and through the long, slow process of picking up the pieces afterward, cell phones would stay usable, according to the mayor. The towers won't be ready right away though: "I think we could have [phone service] last the entire time, even in a big quake, if in the next two years we're able to build out the plans that we have," he said. Since anything could happen in the two years before the towers are up and running, he suggested having an earthquake plan that doesn't rely on being able to use your phone.
Another communications system suggested in last year's official report? A solar-powered, emergency-only WiFi network that would kick in post-'quake and be open to all Angelenos. Yes, please.
· LA Mayor Touts Plans For New Cell Phone Towers To Function During Quake [CBSLA]
· Here's LA's Ambitious Plan For Surviving After a Big Earthquake [Curbed LA]
· Four Terrifying Scenarios to Expect After the Big One Hits [Curbed LA]