The Weir-Jones Group, a Vancouver engineering firm specializing in early detection systems for earthquakes, landslides and oil and gas pipeline leaks, has joined the United Nations Disaster Risk Reduction Private Sector Partnership.
The partnership was created to increase private-sector involvement in disaster risk reduction.
It is part of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR), which brings governments, organizations, universities, institutions, and private corporations together to mitigate the damage and economic losses resulting from natural disasters – earthquakes, floods, droughts and hurricanes.
"The mission of the Weir-Jones Group is to provide innovative and sustainable engineering solutions that reduce the impact of disasters and maintain a green and safe ecosystem in Canada and around the world," said founder Iain Weir-Jones.
"Our monitoring systems are beneficial for communities, businesses and individuals, which makes our mission consistent with UNISDR's objectives. We are excited to be part of the Disaster Risk Reduction Private Sector Partnership [DRR-PSP] working group."
Alireza Taale, the firm's business development manager, said, "Our extensive experience in providing specialized engineering solutions to enhance public safety will bring added value to the table.
"At the same time, having access to vast amounts of international expertise available through DRR-PSP will enable us to serve our existing and future clients more efficiently."
As part of the partnership, the engineering firm agrees to share information on assessment, monitoring, prediction, forecasting and early warning purposes.
One of the many devices the engineering firm has developed over the years is a seismic early-warning system that analyzes the initial shock waves of an earthquake and can automatically shut down tunnels, bridges, oil and gas lines.
