Capt. Sandra Tong: Get Ready for a Disaster

On Oct. 18, Erica Arteseros from the SF Fire Department's Neighborhood Emergency Response Team (NERT) visited the Richmond District Community/Police Forum. She spoke about the importance of being prepared to manage a crisis in the event of an earthquake or other natural disaster.

Nothing has illustrated this point more than the recent catastrophes in the South, including Hurricane Katrina.

The NERT program is offering free training and education classes on Earthquake, Disaster and Terrorism Preparedness beginning in January 2006. The training sessions will take place in the Richmond District at St. Anne's Home, located at 300 Lake St. There are six sessions in all that begin at 6:30 p.m. and are scheduled to run until 9:30 p.m.

They are: 1) Earthquake Awareness, Preparedness and Hazard Mitigation (Jan. 4, 2006); 2) Basic Disaster Skills; Utilities Shut-Off; Damage Assessment (Jan. 11, 2006); 3) Disaster Medicine (Jan. 18, 2006); 4) Light Search and Rescue (Jan. 25, 2006); 5) Team Organization and Management; Terrorism and NERT (Feb. 1, 2006); and 6) Hands-on Training; Skills Development and Application (Feb. 8, 2006).

This is a worthwhile investment of your time. By having a plan and provisions in place (and reviewing them frequently) for you and your family you can help reduce stress and confusion in the event of an emergency and temporary loss of communication.

For more information, call (415) 970-2022 or visit the Web site at www.sfgov.org/sffdnert. To register call (415) 970-2024 or visit the Web site for online registration.

Additionally, the SFPD has recently issued a department bulletin urging its members to prepare themselves and their families for just such disasters. The bulletin has outlined some very useful guidelines that apply to everyone thinking about disaster preparedness.

Some of the suggestions are:

-Be prepared to be without assistance for at least one week. Make copies of important documents (birth certificates, deeds, titles, wills, etc.) and secure them away from your primary residence. If you have a relative that resides in another state, consider sending them a copy;

- Inventory your valuables with photographs. This will aid you in the event you have to file an insurance claim;

- Designate an out-of-state emergency contact person. This person can assist you in keeping your friends and family apprised of your well-being;

- Plan where you and your family members will meet when conditions make that possible;

- Educate everyone in your family/household as to the location of all shut-off valves (water, gas, electrical main, etc.). Demonstrate the proper method for shutting off these valves and ensure that necessary wrenches and other tools are readily accessible;

- Have a plan to care for the pets in the household;

- Make sure the smoke detectors in your house are working properly by testing them periodically. Ensure that fire extinguishers, strategically placed throughout the house (kitchen, garage, basement, etc.) are properly charged;

- Be sure to know your child's school/day care emergency plan; and

- Put together an emergency supplies kit.

Each member of your family should prepare his or her own personal emergency supplies kit as needs (medical/pharmaceutical, dietary, clothing, etc.) vary for individual members of a household. A basic emergency-supplies kit for a household should be able to sustain you for one week and should at least contain the following:

* Bottled water (1-gallon, per person, per day); food (non-perishable, MRE-type (Meals Ready to Eat, canned goods); * Can opener, forks, spoons and knives; * Battery-powered AM/FM radio (periodically check batteries); * First aid kit; * Flashlights and candles (periodically check batteries in flashlights); * Waterproof matches (available from outdoor/camping supply stores); * Whistle; * Emergency cash; * Disposable facemasks; * Toilet paper, towelettes; * Garbage bags; * Waterless antiseptic hand soap; * Gloves (heavy-duty, rubber); * Writing implements; * Emergency contact numbers; and * Games, puzzles, toys, etc. for children; There is no better time to prepare for a disaster or other emergency than the present. Don't wait for a tragedy to happen and then regret not being properly equipped and prepared.

The images we all recently saw in the news revealed the pandemonium that prevails when people are unprepared for a disaster.

Mark your calendar On Wednesday, Nov. 30, the SF Police Commission will be meeting in our district. This is an opportunity for the community to address public safety issues with the Police Commission, Chief Heather Fong and the SF Police Department's command staff. I will also give a brief presentation regarding the "state of the Richmond."

The Jewish Community Center is hosting this special event at their facility, 3200 California St., at Presidio Avenue. Paid parking is available on site. I look forward to seeing all of you there and having your support. A special thanks to the JCC for graciously hosting our meeting.

Capt. Sandra Tong is the commanding officer at the Richmond Police Station.