Mayor Lee’s Statement on East Coast Earthquake & Reminder to San Franciscans to Be Prepared
Mayor Edwin M. Lee and Department of Emergency Management (DEM) Director Anne Kronenberg today issued the following statement on the 5.8 magnitude earthquake centered in Virginia and felt along the East Coast:
“Today’s earthquake on the East Coast is an all too clear reminder that earthquakes can hit anytime and anywhere, and we must be prepared for the next major earthquake here at home, both as residents, businesses, families and as a City.
As a city that lies between several fault lines and that has survived a number of earthquakes, we must do all that we can to ensure that we are prepared and ready. San Francisco has made significant progress based on lessons learned, but we can never let up on our work to seismically reinforce our infrastructure and facilities to withstand a major earthquake or emergency disaster.
We are reminded of the importance of making an emergency plan and building a disaster supply kit. I urge all Bay Area residents to visit www.72hours.org to learn more about how to best prepare themselves and their families.”
The DEM’s preparedness website, www.72hours.org, provides step-by-step instructions on how to make a family emergency plan, build a disaster kit, and get involved in training before a disaster occurs or volunteer to help out afterwards. It also includes information on what to do to stay safe during an earthquake, which is to Drop, Cover and Hold On. The information is available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Russian and Vietnamese.
Tips for making a family emergency plan:
· Decide where you and your family will meet if you are separated when a disaster occurs.
· Choose an out-of-state contact person – long distance phone lines may be in operation before local lines.
· Make copies of important documents and send them to a friend or family member out of town.
· Inventory your valuables.
Examples of items to include in a disaster kit:
· Food, water and first aid supplies for people and pets
· Battery-operated radio
· Flashlight
· Batteries
· Prescription medicines
For more information, please visit www.72hours.org or call 3-1-1 to request emergency preparedness brochures. For more information on emergency preparedness for businesses, go to www.ready.gov/business/index.html. To test your knowledge of what to do during an earthquake, go to www.quakequizsf.org.
“Today’s earthquake on the East Coast is an all too clear reminder that earthquakes can hit anytime and anywhere, and we must be prepared for the next major earthquake here at home, both as residents, businesses, families and as a City.
As a city that lies between several fault lines and that has survived a number of earthquakes, we must do all that we can to ensure that we are prepared and ready. San Francisco has made significant progress based on lessons learned, but we can never let up on our work to seismically reinforce our infrastructure and facilities to withstand a major earthquake or emergency disaster.
We are reminded of the importance of making an emergency plan and building a disaster supply kit. I urge all Bay Area residents to visit www.72hours.org to learn more about how to best prepare themselves and their families.”
The DEM’s preparedness website, www.72hours.org, provides step-by-step instructions on how to make a family emergency plan, build a disaster kit, and get involved in training before a disaster occurs or volunteer to help out afterwards. It also includes information on what to do to stay safe during an earthquake, which is to Drop, Cover and Hold On. The information is available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Russian and Vietnamese.
Tips for making a family emergency plan:
· Decide where you and your family will meet if you are separated when a disaster occurs.
· Choose an out-of-state contact person – long distance phone lines may be in operation before local lines.
· Make copies of important documents and send them to a friend or family member out of town.
· Inventory your valuables.
Examples of items to include in a disaster kit:
· Food, water and first aid supplies for people and pets
· Battery-operated radio
· Flashlight
· Batteries
· Prescription medicines
For more information, please visit www.72hours.org or call 3-1-1 to request emergency preparedness brochures. For more information on emergency preparedness for businesses, go to www.ready.gov/business/index.html. To test your knowledge of what to do during an earthquake, go to www.quakequizsf.org.