If there is one thing that’s guaranteed, it’s that a disaster can happen at a moment’s notice. The 3.5 magnitude earthquake that shook the Bay Area on October 5 was a reminder to be ready for the unexpected. That is why all employees with the City and County of San Francisco are designated by both…
Category: Preparedness
How NERT is Important to the SFPUC and the City
“NERTs don’t get hurt.” This is slogan is repeated often during Neighborhood Emergency Response Team (NERT) training sessions held throughout the year in various San Francisco neighborhoods. Led by the San Francisco Fire Department (SFFD), NERT is a community-based training program dedicated to a neighbor-helping-neighbor approach, educating San Franciscans with tools and resources needed in…
Why the SFPUC Participates in Fleet Week
San Francisco is about to get loud in the sky. It’s that time of the year when the roaring sound and choreograph of the Blue Angels in the sky capture residents and visitors’ attention. One can’t help but look up and enjoy a free show during the workday throughout Fleet Week, a free, annual event…
How You Should Be Prepared for a Public Safety Power Shutoff
Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) has planned an emergency Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) in anticipation of strong winds and dry gusts impact the Bay Area over the next two days. And while the PSPS event may impact Alameda, Contra Costa, Solano, San Mateo, and Sonoma counties, the SFPUC does not anticipate its water, power…
Important Things to Do in Preparation for the Unexpected
“Prepared, not scared” is this year’s theme for National Preparedness Month, which kicked off earlier this month. Since its inception in 2004, National Preparedness Month occurs annually in September as a reminder to be prepared for the unexpected, such as earthquakes, extreme weather and other emergency situations. The SFPUC has emergency preparedness and response procedures…
The Importance of “1-1-3,” Water and Your Emergency Kit
The question is not “if,” but “when” – a mantra that most people who live in a state prone to earthquakes know all too well. Widespread infrastructure damage is expected following a major earthquake. This may possibly include damage to regional water transmission and storage facilities, distribution pipelines, storage, and firefighting facilities in San Francisco,…