Feature
by Bob & Lynn Jacklevich
San Francisco is one of the greatest cities in the world. The unique landscape and location of the city make it a place where people want to live. Even the devastation of the 1906 quake has not stopped hundreds of thousands of people from making the Bay Area their home. We live in housing that is as diverse as the people and geography—everything from two-unit Victorian flats to high-rise condominiums, from residential hotels to co-ops to rentals. And all are built on the shifting, fault-crossed land of the Pacific and North American tectonic plates.
With all these types of structures come the usual responsibilities and problems of managing and maintaining buildings. Bay Area building owners and managers are faced with the inevitability of a major earthquake. Whether an earthquake occurs on the San Andreas or the Hayward fault, all of the Bay Area will be affected. It is estimated that as many as 160,000 units in the nine-county area will be categorized as losses after a major earthquake, which means hundreds of thousands of people may be homeless and millions of dollars may be lost in revenue. Most data indicates that the majority of residents—whether renters or owners—are not prepared. Owners and managers are uniquely faced with not only protecting their investments but also the people who call these buildings home. Fortunately, there is a lot of information and help. And what we recommend for apartments applies equally to your own homes and families.
The first lesson to learn is the one we saw so graphically during and after the disaster of Hurricane Katrina. Owners, managers and residents—all of us—will be on our own for days. At least three days is likely and, more probably, it will be five to seven days after a major earthquake before additional help arrives. Each city and county in the Bay Area will be overwhelmed, no matter how well prepared it is; and it will take at least 12 to 48 hours for any “outside” response. Fortunately, there is training that can help us all be self-sufficient and ready for any disaster: Neighborhood Emergency Response Training.
What Is NERT?
The San Francisco NERT program was created as a direct result of
the Loma Prieta earthquake. Sponsored by the San Francisco Fire
Department and supported by each administration since 1989, the
program has trained more than 14,000 people in disaster preparedness
and response skills. NERT’s motto: don’t be a victim. NERT’s mission:
do the most good for the most people. NERT’s goal: to see that
every person living in San Francisco has the knowledge and skills
to survive the Big One.
The program is comprised of 18 to 20 hours of instruction divided into five training modules and one hands-on skill practice. Students learn preparation and planning first—looking at their own homes and lives with “earthquake eyes.” Preparation is followed by basic skills: when and how to shut off the gas, water and electricity; proper application and use of a fire extinguisher; and hazard awareness. The next component is disaster medicine, not first aid, but how to triage (prioritize victims) and treat dozens of people in minutes.
What sets NERT apart from other training? First, all instructors are San Francisco Firefighters or Emergency Medical Technicians. The students get practical advice from people who know what it’s like to be called on in an emergency. Second, it’s free to San Francisco residents. Third, training is held throughout the city and throughout the year, with classes scheduled on different days and at different times in various locations. Because the training is modular, students can make up missed sessions easily, capitalizing on another neighborhood’s training on another day and time. Can’t attend six weeks in a row? Take two training sessions a month, picking the times that work the best for your schedule. At the end, you not only have knowledge and skills, but each graduate gets a hard hat, vest, pair of gloves and a flashlight.
Class schedules and registration information are listed on the NERT web site: www.sfgov.org/sfnert. You’ll also find information about events, lists for emergency supplies and kits, list of neighborhood teams and team leaders, and links to preparedness information. NERT is always looking for places to hold training. If you can assure a class of 60 or more people, NERT will come to you. And if you’re not in San Francisco, check with your city or county government: Oakland, Napa County, Sonoma County, San Mateo, Fremont, Berkeley, Livermore, Pleasanton, Santa Clara County, Palo Alto and Marin County all have citizen emergency-response training.
Basic Steps to Safety
Building owners and managers, and residents too, can take some
basic steps to make a safer environment. Start at the beginning.
Take a look at your building with earthquake eyes. Make sure
your insurance is adequate and up to date. Make copies of all
important property documents and send them to an out-of-state
contact. Create a safety plan for the building—consider evacuation
and shelter-in-place plans. Make sure your tenants know about
it. Keep it up to date. Provide your residents with emergency
contact information.
If you don’t have an on-site manager, decide what you want residents to do about turning off the gas, electricity and water after a major earthquake. Shut offs should be clearly marked with shut-off tools nearby. Make sure water heaters are properly secured. If you have a laundry, secure washers and dryers too. Keep flammable or hazardous materials clearly marked and stored properly. Make sure common areas are hazard free and well maintained.
If possible, assemble emergency supplies to help residents shelter in place. Make sure each unit has a smoke detector and remind residents to test them. High rises have special issues for exits and safety; be sure your manager understands them and informs your residents of the procedures. Allow, and maybe help, residents to secure heavy furniture, pictures and mirrors to walls. Install cabinet latches. Hold your own fire and earthquake drills with residents and neighboring buildings. Encourage residents to get renters’ insurance and to get NERT training.
Do some recovery planning too. Expect damage and loss of revenue, and plan what you’ll do next. Will you keep in touch with residents so they can move back in? How quickly can you assess damage, contact your insurance company and lender, find a qualified contractor and get back to normal?
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the viewpoint of the SFAA or the San Francisco Apartment Magazine. Bob Jacklevich is a San Francisco native with more than 30 years’ experience in building and property management as well as construction. The Jackleviches live in Potrero Hill and have been active in NERT and emergency preparedness since 1994. Copyright © 2006 by the San Francisco Apartment Magazine. All rights reserved.