Wow, fall is here already! Now’s the perfect time to refresh your emergency supplies, restock essentials, and update your plans. Stay ahead of the season by getting prepared!
Dive into the stories we’ve packed into this issue—there’s plenty to keep you informed and inspired.
In this issue:
- The Fall 2024 Citywide Drill
- Why We Do the Drill: Preparing for the Unexpected
- The Great ShakeOut: Protecting Lives Through Practice
- SFO Safety Drill Photo Essay
- Enhance Your Digital Go-Bag
- NERT Quarterly Calendar
- Vest Fodder
Comments? Drop us a line anytime: sffdnertnewsletter at gmail.com
Get Ready, Stay Ready: Join the Fall 2024 Citywide Drill!
On October 19th, the SFFD NERT Citywide Drill will return to a favorite location, the Marina Middle School, for our bi-annual exercise. This event will also serve as a remembrance of the 35th Anniversary of Loma Prieta.
Marina Middle School is easily accessible via numerous mass transit routes, and there is on-street parking in the immediate vicinity. The school affords an optimum layout to practice all of the various NERT skills.
Registration will open at 8:30 am, and SFFD Deputy Chief of Administration Shayne Kaialoa will give the opening remarks. Foreign dignitaries are planning to attend.
Lunch will be provided by San Francisco Fire Fighters Local 798 and the San Francisco Fire Credit Union.
Watch for registration details in an upcoming email.
Why We Drill:
Preparing for the Unexpected
The Citywide Drill offers a valuable opportunity to enhance your disaster response skills and connect with like-minded neighbors in our community.
We checked in with a few NERTs to gather their insights from participating in our bi- annual event.
Cathy H. Active: 23 years Neighborhood: Cole Valley
Why do you attend the Citywide Drill?
“I think it’s a good way to relearn skills. You learn things, and then you forget because you’re not using them. And I think it’s a really good way to keep abreast of what’s going on and things change too. Get new ways to do things.”
Ezekiel C. Active: <1 year Neighborhood: Stonestown
Why do you attend the Citywide Drill?
“I like to go to the citywide drill to learn more about how I can be an asset for my community and for my family. I’d like to think that I’m humble enough that I don’t know a lot of things. And so, I go there to get the help from professionals to tell me: Hey, this is what you do in this scenario. And that’s where I go to get the expertise.”
CKy-Cuong H. Active: 3 years
Why do you attend the Citywide Drill?
“Well, first, it’s fun. It’s a chance to be with other NERTs. See everyone again, the old friends. And then second, I think it renews the spirit of why we’re all there for NERTs, we are refreshing our skills. We’re reminded of why we matter for the city and how we’re needed. And it’s a chance to put that all into practice again. So putting out fires, literally learning to work with the people we haven’t worked with before, under stress and then serving the city like for me, it’s very meaningful, and it’s enjoyable”
The Great ShakeOut: Protecting Lives Through Practice
Mark Your Calendar
The Great Shakeout is on October 17th, at 10:17 AM
Mark Your Calendar – The Great Shakeout is on October 17th, at 10:17 AM
In an earthquake-prone city, preparedness is not just smart—it’s essential. Earthquakes can strike without warning, leaving no time to react. The annual Great ShakeOut earthquake drill helps communities prepare to respond quickly and effectively when the ground shakes. For NERTs, participation is critical to safeguarding lives and minimizing damage.
Key Benefits of the Great ShakeOut
- Raises Earthquake Awareness: The ShakeOut reminds everyone that earthquakes are real and imminent threats, urging preparedness.
- Motivates Action: The drill encourages concrete steps like creating emergency plans, securing furniture, and assembling emergency kits.
- Reinforces Safety Protocols: For NERTs, the ShakeOut refreshes critical knowledge, ensuring “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” becomes second nature during an actual quake.
- Builds Community Resilience: Neighborhoods, schools, and workplaces participating together strengthen support networks and improve disaster response.
- Tests Preparedness Systems: The drill helps disaster professionals evaluate and improve emergency systems, from communication networks to evacuation plans.
How to Participate
On October 17th at 10:17 AM, practice “Drop, Cover, and Hold On.” Review emergency plans, check supplies, and educate others about earthquake safety. NERTs can promote ShakeOut events, share resources, and help boost participation within the community.
SFO Safety Drill Photo Essay
Enhance Your Go-Bag
Build a Digital Go-Bag Today
Most NERTs have a physical go-bag with essentials like a gas/water valve wrench, clipboard, forms, vest, helmet, and ID. But have you considered enhancing your readiness by creating a digital go-bag?
With smartphones or tablets, you can use various apps, maps, and tools to assist in emergencies. Start building your digital go-bag now by downloading these essential apps while you have a stable internet connection. Many offer offline functionality if downloaded in advance.
Key Digital Tools:
- Offline Maps: Download Google Maps or Apple Maps for offline access, especially for areas like the Bay Area or any other places you frequent.
- MyShake App: Developed by the Berkeley Seismology Lab, this app provides early earthquake warnings.
- American Red Cross App: includes first aid tips, preparedness resources, and communication tools.
- Digital Messaging Apps: In disasters, digital messaging (SMS, WhatsApp, etc.) often works better than voice calls. Make a communication plan with contacts outside the affected area.
- FEMA App: Receive safety alerts for multiple zip codes, build preparedness plans, find shelters, and apply for disaster assistance.
- eAUXFOG: If you’re a licensed radio operator, this app guides you in working in a communications section.
- PDF Maps: Save copies of essential maps as PDFs for offline use.
- MyUSNG: Used by FEMA for precise location sharing with the US National Grid system.
- ArcGIS Quick Capture: This tool helps track disaster response information and is used by FEMA teams.
Power Backup for Your Devices
Without power, your smart device won’t help in an emergency. Ensure you have backup power sources such as:
- Extra batteries
- Solar chargers
- Car power adapters (cigarette lighter plugs)
Share Your Favorite Tools
Join the conversation on the NERT Slack thread! Share your go-to apps and digital tools with other NERTs to stay connected and better prepared.
NERT Quarterly Calendar
As fall bestows its belated remnants of summer upon us, let’s use this time wisely by making ourselves ever-resilient and able to respond when we are needed.Below are the events and activities you might want to participate in. They can contribute to your overall resilience. As more events are published throughout the quarter, we’ll update this to inform you of those events.
As more events are published throughout the quarter, we’ll update this to inform you of those events.
(Trouble accessing the registration system, please contact the NERT office at sffdnert at sfgov.org )
OCTOBER
5: Ham Cram*
7-14: San Francisco Fleet Week – Humanitarian Assistance Village*
12: 2 Meter Critical Mass Radio Practice*
16: Small Business Disaster Planning Webinar*
17: The Great ShakeOut*
18-20: Pacificon*
19: Fall 2024 SFFD NERT City-Wide Drill
23: Community Planning for Disaster Recovery*
NOVEMBER
9: 2 Meter Critical Mass Radio Practice*
16: NERT DAY@DOT – Watch for details in an e-mail
DECEMBER
3: Map Your Neighborhood 1 and 2
11: Intro to Emergency Preparedness
14: 2 Meter Critical Mass Radio Practice*
21: NERT DAY@DOT – Watch for details in an e-mail
Are you a neighborhood coordinator who would like to list your meetings here? Please send details to sffdnertnewsletter AT gmail.com and we will list them here.
‡ This class is not instructed by NERT; rather, it is an online-only curriculum provided by FEMA. Upon completing the class, you will receive a digital certificate of completion from FEMA.
* Please note that some events are unaffiliated with the NERT Program. The NERT program is not responsible for its content.
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Vest Fodder
Firefighters On Your Side
Firefighters On Your Side provides multi-lingual, culturally competent fire safety messaging in both digital and print form. With a focus on providing resources to traditionally underserved communities, Firefighters On Your Side communicates critical fire safety information in Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese, Tagalog, Mandarin, and English.
For the Earthquake Geeks among Us
Why do the largest continental earthquakes nucleate on branch faults?
Credit to: Temblor Earth News
Citation: Stein, R. S., and Bird, P., 2024, Why do the largest continental earthquakes nucleate on branch faults?, Temblor, http://doi.org/10.32858/temblor.351
Free Covid Tests
U.S. households can once again order four free COVID-19 rapid tests through the federal government. To obtain these tests, visit COVIDTests.gov, which will direct you to the U.S. Postal Service website for ordering.
NERT Slack Channel
Besides our newsletter, the NERT Slack Channel is another way to stay in touch. While not a replacement for Regroup, it does offer messaging and communications for NERT members. To subscribe on Slack, drop an email to: [email protected], and we’ll send you a link. Please use a real name, no nicknames or handles.
Have a Story Idea?
Let Us Know!
If you have an idea for an article or story for our newsletter, please pass it on to sffdnertnewsletter AT gmail.com.
We welcome your ideas and want this to be an inclusive and encompassing newsletter.
The Disaster Dispatch is published quarterly in January, April, July, and October.
Credits
AI has assisted in various parts of story creation and editing.
AI-generated images by Adobe Firefly, other images are cited inline.
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The Disaster Dispatch is a publication of the SFFD NERT Program. All Rights Reserved.
