LA Mayor Garcetti calls for earthquake retrofitting of vulnerable buildings

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- In an effort to get Los Angeles ready for the "Big One," Mayor Eric Garcetti released a bold earthquake plan on Monday that calls for retrofitting of vulnerable buildings.

Under the plan, quake retrofits would be required within five years for "soft-first-story" buildings built before 1980, and within 25 years for "non-ductile reinforced concrete" buildings built before 1980.

"Instead of being complacent and then jarred into action by a devastating earthquake, L.A. is moving forward proactively with a comprehensive package of preparedness and resiliency measures to fortify our buildings, protect our water supply, and keep our telecommunications online when the 'Big One' hits," Garcetti said in a statement.

The plan also calls for "significant investments in fortifying" L.A.'s water supply, as well as upgrading the city's telecommunications network.

"If all of these recommendations are enacted, I believe that Los Angeles will not just survive the next large earthquake but we will be able to recover quickly and thrive," said Dr. Lucy Jones of USGS in a statement.