CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED FOR DISASTER READINESS

From the Office of the Mayor

Thursday, September 8, 2005

Mayor Gavin Newsom announced yesterday the launch of a new public service campaign urging residents to prepare for emergencies.

The new campaign reminds San Franciscans that the first 72 hours following a major disaster are the most difficult and urges residents to visit www.72hours.org, to learn how they can prepare their homes and families to survive the immediate aftermath of a catastrophic event. The public service announcements, which ask "Are you Prepared?" will appear on buses, bus shelters and lamp posts throughout the City, beginning in September.

Since taking office Mayor Newsom has made emergency planning and readiness a top priority. Under his watch, the City has revised its Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) for the first time in a decade to provide for a coordinated response from all City first-responders, as well as detailed plans for activating emergency shelters, clearing debris, evacuating residents and other extraordinary situations that may arise. Additionally, the Office of Emergency Services and Homeland Security is leading the development of a new emergency response plan that includes State OES, the10 Bay Area Counties, and the Cities of Oakland, San Jose, and San Francisco.

In his comments Mayor Newsom acknowledged last week's tragic events in the Gulf region saying, "Hurricane Katrina clearly illustrates the need for both governmental and individual emergency readiness," The Mayor continued saying, "Whether it's an earthquake, tsunami or a terrorist attack, San Francisco's first-responders have a plan and are ready to do their jobs but our residents must do their part as well and that means being prepared. I urge all San Franciscans to visit www.72hours.org to learn how they can become emergency ready."

Online since March, www.72hours.org was created by the Office of Emergency Services & Homeland Security to educate San Franciscans on how to prepare for an emergency. Annemarie Conroy, Director of the Office of Emergency Services & Homeland Security called the website "vital tool in the City's comprehensive emergency plan," saying "In an emergency, people always want to know what they can do to help -- having supplies to last 72 hours is the best way to support San Francisco's emergency responders."

Www.72hours.org provides a downloadable checklist of items to create an emergency supply kit and the steps needed to develop a household disaster plan. There is also information about how to respond to specific incidents such as an earthquake, tsunami or fire as well as information about how to become a certified neighborhood emergency response provider through the NERT program. The next NERT training begins September 9, in the Sunset. To learn more about NERT go online to www.ci.sf.ca.us/site/sfnert.

The Newsom administration also convenes quarterly meetings of the Disaster Council, to update City department heads, the Board of Supervisors and local non-profits about disaster response. The Office of Emergency Services and Homeland Security also convenes monthly tabletop exercises with the city's first responders to prepare for a wide variety of disaster scenarios. Mayor Newsom has also created SFGives, to allow residents and city employees to lend their support to the hurricane relief effort. To learn more call (415) 554-7111or go online SFGives@sfgov.org.

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