California Supplemental (CSE) Practice Exam

What significant earthquake prompted the creation of the Hospital Facilities Seismic Safety Act?

1. The 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake

2. The 1994 Northridge earthquake

3. The 2003 San Simeon earthquake

4. The 2014 Napa earthquake

The correct answer is: The 1994 Northridge earthquake

The creation of the Hospital Facilities Seismic Safety Act was significantly influenced by the 1994 Northridge earthquake. This earthquake highlighted vulnerabilities in hospital structures during seismic events, leading to concerns about the safety of patients and the ability of healthcare facilities to remain operational after such disasters. As a result, the state of California enacted this legislation to ensure that hospitals would meet specific seismic safety standards. The act mandated that hospital facilities be designed and constructed to withstand seismic forces, thereby protecting patients and staff during earthquakes. While the Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989 and the San Simeon earthquake in 2003 were also notable seismic events, they did not directly lead to the initiation of this specific legislative act like the Northridge earthquake did. The Napa earthquake in 2014, while another significant event, came much later and was not the catalyst for the establishment of the Hospital Facilities Seismic Safety Act.