Following the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake in Northern California, many Bay Area municipalities reviewed their disaster response capabilities to prepare for the next big one. The San Francisco Fire and Police Departments created two programs: N.E.R.T (Neighborhood Emergency Response Team) and A.L.E.R.T. (Auxiliary Law Enforcement Response Team), respectively. I recently acquired both credentials so I can help my local community in a time of need. It’s completely free for San Francisco residents, and both programs contain lots of useful disaster training skills and information.
The SFFD NERT program is a 20-hour training program where volunteers learn about how San Francisco responds during a widespread natural disaster like an earthquake, flood, fire, etc. We received training on how to properly locate, identify, and operate gas valves in residential neighborhoods, how to use a fire extinguisher, as well as how to triage multiple victims in a mass casualty situation. We learned about the city’s disaster command and control structure, and how we should have 72 hours worth of food, water, and supplies in the event of a major disaster.
When the next big earthquake happens, city services will be overwhelmed and so residents should be prepared to take care of themselves for the first few days. Critically injured patients along with fires and flooding will receive higher priority. Available volunteers can help supplant overwhelmed city services, and provide much needed logistical, medical, and other rescue assistance.
The SFPD ALERT program is an optional 8-hour add-on training which one can take only after completing NERT training. ALERT trainees receive additional training such as traffic control, foot patrol, assisting with office work, and other skills needed in a citywide emergency.
The SFFD NERT program is a 20-hour training program where volunteers learn about how San Francisco responds during a widespread natural disaster like an earthquake, flood, fire, etc. We received training on how to properly locate, identify, and operate gas valves in residential neighborhoods, how to use a fire extinguisher, as well as how to triage multiple victims in a mass casualty situation. We learned about the city’s disaster command and control structure, and how we should have 72 hours worth of food, water, and supplies in the event of a major disaster.
When the next big earthquake happens, city services will be overwhelmed and so residents should be prepared to take care of themselves for the first few days. Critically injured patients along with fires and flooding will receive higher priority. Available volunteers can help supplant overwhelmed city services, and provide much needed logistical, medical, and other rescue assistance.
The SFPD ALERT program is an optional 8-hour add-on training which one can take only after completing NERT training. ALERT trainees receive additional training such as traffic control, foot patrol, assisting with office work, and other skills needed in a citywide emergency.
Part of the police training was learning more about the K-9 unit and how they train their dogs.
The ALERT program is relatively new, having started in 2013. Sergeant Mark Hernandez, ALERT Program Coodinator, notes that "We are very excited about what we've been able to accomplish is a fairly short period of time. In five months, we have fully trained 47 volunteers. These individuals are prepared to safely assist law enforcement after a disaster, making San Francisco better prepared and more resilient. Our volunteers have approached their ALERT experience with enthusiasm and commitment. We are grateful to all of those that have joined with us to this point, and look to recruit another 60-100 volunteers in 2014."
The NERT and ALERT Teams are typically activated a few days after an incident, since volunteers are instructed to take care of ourselves and our loved ones first. Only once our loved ones are secured should we go and volunteer to help other city residents.
What I really enjoyed about both programs is learning new skills and becoming a better citizen of my community. Programs such as NERT and ALERT help empower people and strengthen a city.
For more information, you can visit http://www.sf-fire.org/index.aspx?page=859 and http://sf-police.org/index.aspx?page=4019. The Federal Government administrates other local groups across the country, so check here to see if your local police and fire departments have a similar volunteer program.
The NERT and ALERT Teams are typically activated a few days after an incident, since volunteers are instructed to take care of ourselves and our loved ones first. Only once our loved ones are secured should we go and volunteer to help other city residents.
What I really enjoyed about both programs is learning new skills and becoming a better citizen of my community. Programs such as NERT and ALERT help empower people and strengthen a city.
For more information, you can visit http://www.sf-fire.org/index.aspx?page=859 and http://sf-police.org/index.aspx?page=4019. The Federal Government administrates other local groups across the country, so check here to see if your local police and fire departments have a similar volunteer program.
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