Gov. Jenniffer González Colón announced on Wednesday that she signed an executive order creating the Puerto Rico Earthquake Preparedness Committee, which will coordinate government efforts to prepare for and respond to seismic events. Under Executive Order 2026-053, the body will be attached to the Department of Public Security (DSP) and chaired by its secretary, Arthur Garffer.
According to La Fortaleza, the committee will bring scientific and technical knowledge into government planning and promote coordination with municipalities, the federal government, academia, professional associations, the private sector and community organizations. González Colón said in written remarks that the order establishes an integrated effort to identify vulnerabilities, strengthen critical infrastructure and improve response capacity in an earthquake.
Priorities include earthquake and tsunami preparedness, rapid and coordinated damage assessment, seismic and structural monitoring of essential facilities, emergency communications and continuity of government operations. The committee will also promote public education, staff training, and drills and exercises, with attention to populations with particular needs during an emergency. Besides Garffer, members are a representative of the Governor’s Office; Gabriella Boffelli, executive director of the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration (PRFAA); Félix Lassalle Toro, executive director of the Public Buildings Authority; the executive director of the Central Office for Recovery, Reconstruction and Resiliency (COR3); and Víctor Huérfano, director of the Puerto Rico Seismic Network.
Representatives of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the Business Emergency Operations Center (BEOC) will also serve, along with anyone else the governor designates.