To:
`
`Subject:
`
`Sent:
`Sent As:
`
`James Larsen(jim@larsen-ip.com)
`U.S. Trademark Application Serial No. 97060107 - TRUCKVAULT - 0202-
`0009TUS
`August 30, 2023 12:20:40 PM EDT
`tmng.notices@uspto.gov
`
`Attachments
`
`screencapture-www-thereflector-com-stories-the-big-one-is-southwest-washington-prepared-
`32536-16902931159041(1)
`screencapture-securevehiclesolutions-com-16902933054481(1)
`screencapture-www-freep-com-story-money-cars-2020-06-13-console-vault-hidden-safe-
`vehicles-5344304002-16902936348321(1)
`screencapture-taskandpurpose-com-gear-best-car-gun-safes-16902937964871(1)
`screencapture-www-motorbiscuit-com-consider-a-truck-gun-safe-16902939583771(1)
`screencapture-rocklandcustomproducts-com-truck-gun-safes-16902942422601(1)
`screencapture-accessories-ford-com-products-console-vault-floor-vehicle-safe-1-
`16902943956111(1)
`screencapture-www-concealedcarry-com-training-2-edc-every-day-carry-16902945821601(1)
`screencapture-www-motortrend-com-features-celebrity-drive-dusk-dynasty-star-willie-
`robertson-16902947172251(1)
`screencapture-www-motortrend-com-features-celebrity-drive-dusk-dynasty-star-willie-
`robertson-16902947715351(1)
`screencapture-decked-com-blogs-decked-decked-truck-gun-storage-3460-
`16902950400331(1)
`screencapture-www-michigan-sportsman-com-threads-truck-gun-vault-539609-
`16902952538801(1)
`screencapture-www-retrievertraining-net-threads-advice-on-truck-vault-dog-boxes-other-
`accessories-for-a-yukon-xl-suburban-111382-16902953317211(1)
`screencapture-www-refugeforums-com-threads-homemade-truck-vault-917202-
`16902954024361(1)
`screencapture-www-forbes-com-home-improvement-garage-car-accessories-best-vehicle-
`gun-safes-16902928819601(1)
`screencapture-karkraftautomotive-com-truck-bed-cargo-slides-vaults-16897642003801(1)
`screencapture-danasafetysupply-com-troy-products-cp-gb4430-pb-storage-vault-with-two-
`draw-tight-locking-handles-and-push-button-lock-for-trucks-suvs-16897642499181(1)
`screencapture-danasafetysupply-com-troy-products-cp-gb4430-pb-storage-vault-with-two-
`draw-tight-locking-handles-and-push-button-lock-for-trucks-suvs-16897642499182(1)
`screencapture-www-gunsafes-com-Truck-Vaults-html-16897643714111(1)
`screencapture-www-s-scampers-com-are-16897644712991(1)
`screencapture-www-unitedcommercegroup-com-gunsafes-com-announces-the-availability-of-
`br5930-old-glory-battle-ready-tactical-gun-safe-16897653562141(1)
`screencapture-www-consolevault-com-chevy-console-safes-html-16897658611861(1)
`screencapture-alphaoutdoorspecialties-com-products-dakota-badlands-truck-vault-lite-
`16897659185291(1)
`screencapture-truckvault-com-faq-16897662625521(1)
`
`

`

`screencapture-truckvault-com-post-best-truck-bed-storage-system-period-
`16897663393421(1)
`screencapture-truckvault-com-post-all-weather-all-time-truck-bed-storage-any-conditions-
`16897664031091(1)
`Copy of Global Broadcast Database Article1(1).jpg
`Copy of Global Broadcast Database Article2(1).jpg
`Copy of States News Service Article1(1).jpg
`Copy of States News Service Article2(1).jpg
`Copy of States News Service Article3(1).jpg
`TruckVault Website 1(1).jpg
`TruckVault Website 2(1).jpg
`
`United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)
`Office Action (Official Letter) About Applicant’s Trademark Application
`
`U.S. Application Serial No.  97060107
`
`Mark:   TRUCKVAULT
`
`Correspondence Address:  
`James Larsen
`Larsen IP PLLC
`24207 25th Ave SE
`Bothell WA 98021
`United States
`
`Applicant:   Truckvault, Inc.
`
`Reference/Docket No.  0202-0009TUS
`
`Correspondence Email Address:   jim@larsen-ip.com
`
`
`
`
`
`
`SUBSEQUENT FINAL OFFICE ACTION
`
`Issue date:   August 30, 2023
`
`Introduction
`
`In a previous Final Office Action dated November 7, 2022 , the trademark examining attorney refused
`registration of the applied-for mark based on the following:  Trademark Act Section 2(e)(1) for merely
`describing a feature, characteristic, purpose or function of applicant's goods.
`
`On May 4, 2023, Applicant filed a Notice of Appeal before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, and
`on June 13, 2023, applicant filed Applicant's Brief on Appeal from Final Office Action. On July 26,
`2023, the trademark examining attorney filed a Motion to Request Suspension of the Appeal and
`Remand of the Application, on the basis that a new examining attorney has taken over the case and
`wished to supplement the evidence of record. The Trademark Trial and Appeal Board granted the
`
`

`

`request for remand and suspended the appeal.
`
`The  trademark examining attorney maintains the FINAL refusal in the summary of issues
`below.  See  37 C.F.R. §2.63(b); TMEP §714.04. 
`
`Upon submission of this Subsequent Final Office Action, the appeal will be resumed. TBMP §1207.02.
`
`Summary of Issues made FINAL that applicant must address:
`
`Section 2(e)(1) Refusal - Merely Descriptive
`
`Section 2(e)(1) Refusal - Merely Descriptive
`
`Registration is refused because the applied-for mark merely describes  a  feature, characteristic, purpose,
`and/or
`function  of Applicant’s goods.  Trademark Act
`Section
`2(e)(1),
`15 U.S.C.
`§1052(e)(1);  see  TMEP §§1209.01(b), 1209.03  et seq.  This refusal is now made FINAL.
`
` A
`
` mark is merely descriptive if it describes an ingredient, quality, characteristic, function, feature,
`purpose, or use of an applicant’s goods. TMEP §1209.01(b);  see, e.g.,  In re TriVita, Inc., 783 F.3d
`872, 874, 114 USPQ2d 1574, 1575 (Fed. Cir. 2015) (quoting  In re Oppedahl & Larson LLP, 373
`F.3d 1171, 1173, 71 USPQ2d 1370, 1371 (Fed. Cir. 2004));  In re Steelbuilding.com, 415 F.3d 1293,
`1297, 75 USPQ2d 1420, 1421 (Fed. Cir. 2005) (citing  Estate of P.D. Beckwith, Inc. v. Comm’r of
`Patents, 252 U.S. 538, 543 (1920)).
`
`Applicant seeks registration of TRUCKVAULT (standard characters) for “storage vaults specially
`fitted for the cargo areas of cars, trucks, vans and sport utility vehicles” in International Class 012.
`
`Generally, if the individual components of a mark retain their descriptive meaning in relation to the
`goods and/or services, the combination results in a composite mark that is itself descriptive and not
`registrable.  In re Zuma Array Ltd., 2022 USPQ2d 736, at *7 (TTAB 2022); In re Fat Boys Water
`Sports LLC, 118 USPQ2d 1511, 1516 (TTAB 2016); TMEP §1209.03(d); see, e.g., DuoProSS
`Meditech Corp. v. Inviro Med. Devices, Ltd., 695 F.3d 1247, 1255, 103 USPQ2d 1753, 1758 (Fed. Cir.
`2012) (holding SNAP SIMPLY SAFER merely descriptive for various medical devices, such as
`hypodermic, aspiration, and injection needles and syringes); In re Fallon, 2020 USPQ2d 11249, at *12
`(TTAB 2020) (holding THERMAL MATRIX merely descriptive of a heat-responsive, malleable liner
`that is an integral component of an oral dental appliance). 
`
`Only where the combination of descriptive terms creates a unitary mark with a unique, incongruous, or
`otherwise nondescriptive meaning in relation to the goods and/or services is the combined mark
`registrable.  See In re Omniome, Inc., 2020 USPQ2d 3222, at *4 (TTAB 2019) (citing In re Colonial
`Stores, Inc., 394 F.2d 549, 551, 157 USPQ 382, 384 (C.C.P.A. 1968); In re Shutts, 217 USPQ 363,
`364-65 (TTAB 1983)); In re Positec Grp. Ltd., 108 USPQ2d 1161, 1162-63 (TTAB 2013).
`
`In this case, both the individual components and the composite result are descriptive of applicant’s
`goods and/or services and do not create a unique, incongruous, or nondescriptive meaning in relation to
`the goods and/or services.  Specifically, the term VAULT describes applicant's identified goods of
`storage VAULTS, and TRUCK describes a characteristic of the identified goods which are specially
`fitted for the cargo areas of TRUCKS.    See also the previously attached internet evidence defining
`TRUCK as a wheeled vehicle for moving heavy articles, thus describing applicant's cars, trucks, vans
`
`

`

`and sport utility vehicles;  see also the previously  attached internet evidence defining VAULT as a
`compartment for the safekeeping of valuables.  When combined in the mark, the term TRUCKVAULT
`is highly descriptive, if not generic, of the identified goods of    storage vaults specially fitted for the
`cargo areas of cars, trucks, vans and sport utility vehicles.   See also the previously attached third party
`registrations treating VAULT descriptively for vault related goods. 
`
`Notably, applicant utilizes the wording  VAULT descriptively to describe its goods. Applicant explains
`on its website that,  "Following in that tradition, we're still making vaults for nearly every truck on the
`market, including, but certainly not limited to the Ford F-series, Chevrolet Silverado, Dodge Ram, and
`GMC Sierra". See the attached TruckVault webpage. Applicant continues, "And though we now make
`TruckVaults for virtually any vehicle on the road, we're staying true to our name by continuing to build
`custom vaults for our original customers - those with pickup trucks who have expensive gear they need
`to keep safe and secure".  See id. ("After the launch of our popular Extreme Series All-Weather vaults
`for open-bed pickups and SUVs we needed a way to prove how rugged durable and water-tight they
`really were"; "We have a line of quick access gun vaults called ShotLock we make them for Shotguns,
`compact carry and 1911 frame Pistols"; "Can it take the heat? We tracked down a truck-sized oven to
`find out. In an effort to simulate the brutal desert heat inside a vehicle at midday, we tested to see what
`kind of effect 150° Fahrenheit had on our vaults").
`
`Furthermore, the attached evidence demonstrates that the wording "truck vault" is commonly used to
`refer to goods of the type applicant provides. Specifically, it is a compartment used "to securely store
`items in a vehicle" like a truck, and is typically used as "gun storage container".  See the
`attached  Motortrend, The Reflector, United Commerce Group, and  Decked  webpages; see also the
`attached State News Service and Global Broadcast Database articles. Companies that sell these types
`of gun storage containers typically refer to them as "truck vaults" on their webpages.  See  the
`attached  Gun Safes,  S&S Canopies & Campers,  Alpha Outdoor Specialities webpages. Indeed,
`consumers frequently refer to these gun storage containers specifically made to fit inside a truck as
`"truck vaults."  See the attached  Concealed Carry, Michigan Sportsman, Refuge Forums, and  Retriever
`Training webpages.
`
`Lastly, third-parties commonly utilize the wording "vault" to refer to storage containers specifically
`fitted for cargo areas of vehicles, the type of goods applicant provides.  See the attached  Kar
`Kraft,  Dana Safety Supply,  Guardian Safe and Vault,  Console Vault,  Forbes,  Secure Vehicle
`Solutions,  Detroit Free Press,  Task and Purpose,  Motor Biscuit,  Rockland Custom Products,
`and  Ford webpages.
`
`Applicant's Arguments Are Unpersuasive
`
`Applicant's main argument is that marks in applicant's prior registrations and applications that featured
`the same literal element for similar goods did not treat the mark as descriptive.  The examining attorney
`notes that the goods in those registrations and applications were not identified as "storage vaults," as
`they are identified in the current application. As applied to the "storage vaults specially fitted for the
`cargo areas of cars, trucks, vans and sport utility vehicles" identified in the current application, the
`wording TRUCKVAULT is highly descriptive if not generic. Moreover, an applied-for mark that is
`merely descriptive or generic does not become registrable simply because other seemly similar marks
`appear on the register.  In re Consumer Prot. Firm PLLC, 2021 USPQ2d 238, at *22 (citing In re
`Scholastic Testing Serv., Inc., 196 USPQ 517, 519 (TTAB 1977)); TMEP §1209.03(a).  It is well
`settled that each application must be decided on its own facts; the USPTO is not bound by prior
`decisions involving different records.  See In re Boulevard Ent., Inc., 334 F.3d 1336, 1343, 67 USPQ2d
`
`

`

`1475, 1480 (Fed. Cir. 2003) (citing In re Nett Designs, Inc., 236 F.3d at 1342, 57 USPQ2d at 1566); In
`re Datapipe, Inc., 111 USPQ2d 1330, 1336 (TTAB 2014); TMEP §1209.03(a). 
`
`Next, applicant argues that the mark is unitary due to being a compound term.  This argument misses
`the mark, however, as a “telescoped mark,” which consists of two or more words combined to create a
`single word that shares letters, is merely descriptive or generic if the individual words are descriptive or
`generic and if the words retain their descriptive or generic meaning within the telescoped mark.  See In
`re Omaha Nat’l Corp., 819 F.2d 1117, 1118, 2 USPQ2d 1859, 1860 (Fed. Cir. 1987) (holding
`FIRSTIER merely descriptive of banking services);  In re Greenliant Sys. Ltd., 97 USPQ2d 1078, 1083
`(TTAB 2010) (holding NANDRIVE, a telescoped mark of the generic term “nand drive,” generic for
`electronic integrated circuits, including flash memory drives);  TMEP §§1209.01(c)(i), 1209.03(d).
`
`For the foregoing reasons, the mark is descriptive of applicant’s  goods and the refusal to register is
`made final.  See  37 C.F.R. §2.63(b); TMEP §714.04. 
`
`Generic Advisory
`
`In addition to being merely descriptive, the applied-for mark appears to be generic in connection with
`the identified goods and/or services. “A generic mark, being the ‘ultimate in descriptiveness,’ cannot
`acquire distinctiveness” and thus is not entitled to registration on either the Principal or Supplemental
`Register under any circumstances.  In re La. Fish Fry Prods., Ltd., 797 F.3d 1332, 1336, 116 USPQ2d
`1262, 1264 (Fed. Cir. 2015) (quoting  H. Marvin Ginn Corp. v. Int’l Ass’n of Fire Chiefs, Inc., 782 F.2d
`987, 989, 228 USPQ 528, 530 (Fed. Cir. 1986));  see  TMEP §§1209.01(c)  et seq.,  1209.02(a).
`Therefore, the trademark examining attorney cannot recommend that applicant amend the application
`to proceed under Trademark Act Section 2(f) or on the Supplemental Register as possible response
`options to this refusal.  See  TMEP §1209.01(c).
`
`
`/Abigail Sue/
`Abigail Sue
`Examining Attorney
`LO117--LAW OFFICE 117
`(571) 272-9283
`Abigail.Sue@uspto.gov
`
`
`
`RESPONSE GUIDANCE
`
`•
`
`Missing deadline to responding to this letter will cause the application to abandon.  A
`response, appeal, or extension request must be received by the USPTO before 11:59 p.m.
`Eastern Time of the last day of the response deadline. Trademark Electronic Application System
`(TEAS) and Electronic System for Trademark Trials and Appeals (ESTTA) system availability
`could affect an applicant’s ability to timely respond. For help resolving technical issues with
`TEAS, email TEAS@uspto.gov.
`
`•
`
`Responses signed by an unauthorized party are not accepted and can cause the application to
`abandon.  If applicant does not have an attorney, the response must be signed by the individual
`
`

`

`applicant, all joint applicants, or someone with legal authority to bind a juristic applicant.  If
`applicant has an attorney, the response must be signed by the attorney.
`
`•
`
`If needed, find contact information for the supervisor of the office or unit listed in the
`signature block.
`
`

`

`Tuesday, July 25, 2023
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`lhe Newspaper With Integrity Since 1909
`intact
`News ~ Sports+ Life ~ Opinion ~ Obituaries ~ Community Advertising ~ Subscribe~ SendUsNews~ Q
`
`The Big One: Is Southwest
`Washington prepared?
`
`Cascadia earthquake sources
`
`BATTLE
`
`ia
`
`30-50 yr
`
`(1068$908,
`
`Subduction zone
`earthquakes (1700)
`Affected area
`Max.Size
`WMA, OR, CA
`mo
`WWA,OR,
`M7
`
`Source
`@ Subduction Zone
`@ Deep Juan de Fuca plate
`
`Se earthquakes
`
`Recurrence
`500-600yr
`
`

`

`
`
`© Crustal faults
`
`WA, OR, CA
`
`M7+
`
`Hundredsof yr’?
`
`
`
`The Cascadia Subduction Zone and the earthquakes nearthe fault over the years.
`
`Posted Monday, August 26,2019 6:05 am
`
`Cameron Kast/cameron@thereflector.com
`
`
`
`The ReflectorJuly
`26, 2023
`Viewthis issue
`
`Browseotherissues teoar a
`problem
`
`
`Five and a half minutes is about howlong it takes to microwaveapotpie orlisten to Billy Joel’s “Piano Man” once
`through,It’s also howlong the intense shaking from the Cascadia Earthquake — often referred to simply as “The Big
`
`One” — is expected to last
`Death ofOregon woman discovered in
`Rideatcarenink0ober canes
`
`Nearly nine years ago, a magnitude 9 earthquake shook the northeastern corner of Japanforclose to six full minutes.
`The March 11, 2011, earthquake with an epicenter near Tohoku destroyed more than 120,000 buildings and,
`according to Japan’s Reconstruction Agency, caused an estimated $199 billion dollars of damage, making it the most
`expensive natural disaster in world history.
`
`Experts say a similar earthquake is “overdue” and should be expected to hit the Pacific Northwest within the next
`century, if not sooner.
`
`Researchers from regional universities, geotechnical engineers and emergency response agencies expect the
`earthquake to wreak havoc whenithits, bringing about the collapse of roads and bridges and renderingelectricity and
`waterinfrastructure useless,
`
`While some effects from naturaldisasters are unavoidable, experts are growing increasingly concerned about the lack
`of preparation by both governing bodies and individuals.
`
`A ticking subduction zone
`The Pacific Northwestsits on the Cascadia Subduction Zone, whichstretches from the north end of VancouverIsland
`in British Columbia to Cape Mendocino, California, a distance of 620 miles. Cascadia is the meeting pointof the
`smaller Juan de Fucaplate and the large North Americanplate. As the twotectonic plates converge, one is forced
`underthe other.
`
`This causes the oceanic crust of the Pacific Ocean to move underthe continent of North America at a rate of about 40
`millimeters (1 4 inches) per year.
`
`The 2011 earthquake in Japan was dueto this sametype offault line.
`Alison Purch an associate geotechnical engineer at Hart Crowser exnlained that the deener an earthanake is
`
`the
`
`
`
`
`
`rr ca
`
`Introducing
`Extended Stay America
`aumeteord
`
`your car si
`
`MORE LOCAL NEWS
`
`
`
`World WarII re-enactors
`provide ataste oflife at Fort
`Vancouver
`World WarIl reenactors brought
`their own equipment and wore their
`own uniforms to provide a glimpse of what Fort
`Vancouver would have looked like during that time
`period on. Saturdav. Julv 22
`
`

`

`oa
`
`
`longerit causes sha.
`ing at the surface. The creates a muchhigherpotential for damage. A 30-second earthquake
`
`
`usually reaches a 7 or bh
`her on the Richter scale, while a two-minute quake reaches an 8 or higher. By four minutes,
`an earthquake is at 9.0.
`
`Along with depth, seismologists use the size of crustal breaksto indicate how powerful an earthquake could be. The
`1989 LomaPrieta, California, earthquake had a magnitude of6.9, enoughto cause more than $6 billion in damage
`and kill 63 people. LomaPrieta sits on one of the most well-knownandstudiedfault lines in the United States, the
`San Andreas Fault. According to the United States Geological Survey, the San Andreas Fault is capable of producing
`an earthquake nolarger than a magnitude 8.3 dueto its close proximity to both the surface (10 to 12 miles deep) and
`the size of crust that can break during an earthquake on the San Andres.
`
`More than 40 miles belowthe earth’s crust, the Juande Fucaplate is moving under North America and melting into
`the earth. However, around 30 miles down, the North Americanplate is stuck, causing pressure to build up
`underneath the surface of the earth. As the Juan de Fuca plate continues to move, the North Americanplate gets put
`under more pressure. Eventually, the pressure will become too muchandthe North Americanplate will snap upward,
`muchlike a breaking rubberband. Since the Cascadia Subduction Zonesits anywhere from7 to 18 miles deeperthan
`the San Andreas,if the entire plate breaks off, an earthquake largerthan a 9.0 is more thanlikely.
`
`“Geology works ona reallylong time scale, and we’ve been around for an eyelash ofthat really long time scale,”
`Pyrchsaid at “Science on Tap,” a seminar on earthquakes at Kiggins Theatre last month.
`
`Pyrch explained howdueto this larger-than-life timescale developing exact data on where and whenan earthquake
`will happenis not possible.
`
`Pyrchsaid the only way to make a predictionis to look at history. On average, a rupture in the Cascadia Subduction
`Zone happens once every 243 years, putting it around 75 years overdue. A large scale earthquake hasn’t happened
`since January 26, 1700, 76 years before the Declaration of Independence was signed.
`
`Seismologists and geologists are able to determine these estimates by lookingat the limestone of the seafloor and
`comparingit with the highly documented tsunami records of Japan. Before 1700, there was about a 780-year gap
`betweenthe Cascadia earthquakes (920 to January 26, 1700)
`
`According to an Oregon State University research teamled by marine biologist Chris Goldfinger, throughout the past
`10,000 years there have beenat least 41 earthquakes on the Cascadia Fault Zone with 19 being a “full margin
`rupture” where the entire zone snaps.
`
`Goldfingersaid there’s a 33% chance ofthis “megaquake”hitting the Pacific Northwestin the next 50 years.
`
`
`
`
`
`“Perhaps morestriking than the probability numbersis that we can nowsay that we have already gone longer without
`anearthquake than 75%of the knowntimes betweenearthquakesin the last 10,000 years,” Goldfingersaid in a
`statement earlier this summer. “And 50 years from now, that numberwill rise to 85 percent.”
`What a quakewill look like
`
`
`
`
`
`Werner citeoar
`to STAY awhile.
`
`Transportation crews!
`onInterstate 5 and |
`nighttime work will hq
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`until the 2060s
`Oneof the largest sources of
`funding to replace the aging
`Interstate 5 bridge over the
`Columbia Riverwill tax travelers a few bucks as they
`cross the water. During its meeting July 18, the ...
`
`
`
`) Death of Oregon woman
`discoveredin Ridgefield not
`currentlylinked to other
`cases
`The death of 32-year-old Joanna
`Speaks, of Oregon, hasn't been connected to the deaths
`of four other area women where the Multnomah County
`District Attorney's Office found links, the ...
`
`
`
`
`apartment complex o
`seeking a propertytal
`city leadersstill have
`plan ...
`
`More Local News >
`
`we give YOu me"
`Pears ).*
`
`ioZe
`
`OBITUARIES
`
`

`

` Death notices, July 26, 2023
`Lf]
`
`‘WhateveryourPen
`
`“for being away from home
`
`:
`
`Carol Maurits, $0, ofVancouver, passed awayon July 18, 2023, in Vancouver, The
`funeral homeis NorthwoodParkFuneral Home & Cemetery, 360-574-4252, Susan
`Chenette, 69, of
`
`More obituaries >
`
`8101 NE ParkwayDr. « 360-253-5771
`(Located nearOlive Garden andT] Maxx)
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Pyrehsays the Pacific Northwestis not at all prepared for an earthquake of this magnitude.Sheratescities suchas
`Portland at a 2.5 to 3 ona scale of 10 in termsof preparedness.
`
`“Ourbiggest lack is public education and public preparedness,” she said.
`
`Pyrch says populations around the world that are accustomed to a lack ofelectricity and waterare significantly more
`prepared for a disaster such as an earthquake.
`
`Pyrch offered Mexico and Japan as examples of countries well prepared in 2019. Both countries have earthquake
`early warning systems and a large culture built around the idea that a quake could hit at any moment.
`
`“Tf people are prepared for an event and they knowit’s going to happen and they are educated, they are significantly
`better whenit comes to handling an event,” she said. “As it is, we are not prepared simply because oursociety will
`not be bouncing back as quickly because we depend onall thoseutilities.”
`
`Pyrch’s second problem with preparednessin the regionis infrastructure. If the “Big One” wereto hit this year, she
`believes most of the transportation hubs — land, sea and air — would all be compromised. Alongwiththis, she
`mentionedthat there will be significant landslide damageas well as the explosionof natural gas andliquid fuel lines
`and ruptured waterpipes.
`
`Liquid fuel in Southwest Washingtonis refined in the Seattle-Tacomaarea andis transported througha pipeline that
`is “not seismically sound,”* Pyrch said. She added that fuel for the area is stored near the Willamette River where
`there is an expected movementof 25 feet. The spread offire is also a major concern given that many ofthe water
`lines will likely break, Pyrchsaid.
`
`Pyrch noted howmostofthe electricity in the area is supplied by the Bonneville Power Administration.If its power
`and energy networkfalls due to an earthquake, powerinthe area is expected to go out for anindefinite period of
`time.
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`“Weare spoiled and we expect everything to work on demand,”she said. “Oursociety does not function without
`running water, electricity and our cellphones and communication networks working.”
`
`In her seminar, Pyrchsaid soils in the Pacific Northwest are subjectto liquefaction, the process ofsoils with a large
`water content losing strength due to a strongly applied force suchas an earthquake. Under this force, sand and mud
`sink into the ground causing the buildings and structures on top of themto follow. Pyrchsaid soil underneathlarge
`economic hubssuchas the Interstate 5 Bridge, the Glenn Jackson Bridge and the Portland International Airportallsit
`onliquefiable soil.
`
`Pyrch expanded on liquefaction damagein a followup interview,explaining that the I-5 Bridgeis “pretty muchtoast”
`ifa large earthquake wereto hit, but the bridge across 1-205 might be salvageable.
`
`“From what I understand there is a chance that it will be repairable,” Pyrchsaid about 1-205, adding that while it
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`might be repairable, it will not be a structure people are goingto be able to drive over immediately.
`
`The destructionof these bridges and economic trade hubs suchas the Port of Portland and Portland International
`Airport (PDX) is expected to dramatically impact the surrounding area’s economy.
`
`“Oneofthe points of the (2011) Japan earthquake wasthat their economy took a big hit. In fact, the world economy
`took a big hit,” Pyrch said while explaining that one of the reasonsthe area needsto get ready for an earthquakeis the
`fact that not everybody is going to die in the initial shock ofthe quake. Most people will survive, and building
`infrastructure for that survival period is key to withstanding the earthquake, she said.
`
`Preparing
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`Timothy “T.J.” Miller, of Battle Ground, has a degree in powersystems and works for BPA. He echoed Pyrch’s
`statements while pointing to the solar panels and generators he has installed in his earthquake-proof shop.
`
`“The irony ofit is that I work for the power grid and yet I have solar and a generator because I knowthe grid is going
`down,”he said.
`
`Miller has spent nearly his whole life preparing for disaster to strike.
`
`“T don’t really know what made me wantto be a survivalist other than the fact that I have five sisters and my mom
`always said, ‘you're the manofthe house, you’re going to have to protect yoursisters,” he said. “I grewup infear
`that I wouldn't be able to protect (them). It’s an overcompensated thing about me and I can’t help it.”
`
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`Miller built a shop on his property for his business, Silenced
`Weapons. The shop doublesas his survival shelter, and he said
`it is structurally sound and can withstand an earthquake.
`
`“This shop is built better than any of the houses aroundhere,”
`he said. “The inspector said if we were to have the subduction
`zone earthquake, all the houses (nearby) would be gone and
`this shop wouldstill be here.”
`
`Millerbelieves a lack of food, water and shelter will be the
`biggest problems facing citizens in the Clark County area if
`disaster were to strike. He suggests bolting downeverything in
`houses and shops and having enough food and waterto sustain
`yourself and dependents.
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`Government to pay Camp Lejeune victims
`$21 billion
`CampLejeune Water Claims
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`“Water, water, water,” Miller said when asked about what he
`.
`we
`I
`feels is the most important thing people cando to prepare.
` Miller
`shop is equipped with a two-yearsupply of food and
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`Vierewres Ginn wy ren WELEL LUL MILE UU LS WILE, OULUE UL 1s CYUpLLct LuLLUUES a
`sun oven, more than 10,000 gallons of fresh water and a
`systemto brewhis ownbeer.
`
`“Somepeoplesayit’s not a key part ofpreparedness, but I thinkit is,” Miller said as he opened a doorin the back of
`his shop revealing a home brewery where he makes India Pale Ale.
`
`Also in Miller’s shop is an old ambulance from the Los Angeles Police Departmentthat he is renovating to be a
`disaster vehicle complete with a few days worth of food, a fire ax and a truck vault, something he builds to securely
`store items in a vehicle. Also equipped with a truck vault is Miller’s Jeep Wrangler, which has everything from a
`snorkeling systemto an air compressor.
`
`“Tt’s got everything I think people should haveontheircarin case of a disaster,” Miller said before pulling out the
`truck vault containing a flare gun, hiking equipment and enoughfood and waterto survive for a week. Miller said a
`lot of the ideas for his Jeep cameafter he experienced the 1989 LomaPrieta earthquake andrealized howunprepared
`peoplein the area were.
`
`“The only thing that madeit outof the city were the 4-by-4’s,” Miller said.
`
`While Miller and his wife may be prepared if the Cascadia Subduction Earthquake were to strike, a good majority of
`the Clark County and the Portland Metro Area has notstarted preparing. Pyrchbelieves this lack of preparedness can
`be changed by working togetherto build an“earthquakeculture.”
`
`While Miller may have a two-yearsupply of food, Savannah Brehmerof the Federal Emergency Management
`Agency (FEMA)recommends having a minimum of 72 hours, but encourages a supply of up to two weeksoffood,
`water and necessary medicine.
`
`“We also recommend people knowtheir community because if you knowthemin advance,it’s going to help out in
`terms of sharing resources,” Brehmersaid. “Resources may be spread thinin the event of an earthquake.”
`
`FEMA's website outlines a three-step plancitizens should have to prepare themselves fordisaster. First, protect
`yourself before an earthquake. To do this, FEMA recommends practicing what to do during in an earthquake,
`gathering critical documents and building a preparednesskit that lasts at least three days. Second, protect yourself
`during anearthquake and drop, cover and hold on.Lastly, protect yourself after an earthquake by monitoring local
`newsreports, exiting damaged buildings and staying away from damaged areas. If your home has been damagedafter
`a disaster or is no longer safe and you need a place to stay, text SHELTER and your ZIP code to 43362to find the
`nearest public shelter in the area.
`
`Pyrch recommends doing everything possible to secure your home, suchas strappingit to the foundation and
`knowing howto turn off the gas and waterlines leading to your home. “Make sure your homeis safe and somewhere
`youcanbe for two to four weeks without help,” Pyrchsaid. Along withthis, he recommends building emergencylists
`and getting what you need wheneveryou're at the grocery store.
`“Tf van have an evtra five bueke oat that extra callan of water * che caid
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`Eric Frank, the Public Information Officer of the Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency (CRESA),
`recommends doingall of the above and repeating it for your workplace and your vehicle, mentioning hownot
`everyone will be at home whendisasterstrikes.
`
`“T want to make sure I have whateverI need no matter where I am whendisasterstrikes,” he said. “Thoseare the
`messages we spread constantly.”
`
`Building an ‘Earthquake Culture’
`
`During “Science on Tap”and in subsequentinterviews, Pyrchstressed the importance of building a culture around
`preparedness for earthquakes. This culture, dubbed “earthquake culture.” revolves around education about
`earthquakes and the substantial followup damagethey will cause.
`
`“Educate yourself and your neighbors because until we are educated about the problem, we
`
`are not going to make any progress,” Pyrch said. “Untilit is a priority within oursociety and in our communities to
`be ready to handle a large earthquake, we are not goingto be ready.”
`
`To discuss this “earthquake culture” Pyrch uses the example of other countries such as Japan and Mexico around the
`Pacific Ring of Fire that she believes are preparedif disaster were to strike tomorrow. She mentionedactivities such
`occasionalstatewide earthquakedrills.
`
`“They can evacuate a building in under two minutes,” Pyrchexplained.
`
`She later used the exampleofa fire drill at a public high school to show howunprepared the United Statesis in terms
`of a disaster.
`
`“Doadults makeit out in two minutes?”she asked.
`
`Pyrchpressed the need for educating yourself, your family and yourneighbors about the importance ofpreparing for
`an earthquake, something C