By Bruce Wolfe, HANC Board
In times of disaster, every second counts. San Francisco’s Neighborhood Emergency Response Team (SFFD-NERT) and DEM Auxiliary Communications Services (DEM-ACS) are dedicated to ensuring the safety and well-being of residents during emergencies. These community-driven programs play a vital role in preparing neighborhoods to respond effectively and help each other when traditional emergency services may be overwhelmed.
The San Francisco Fire Department Neighborhood Emergency Response Team (SFFD-NERT) is a free training initiative available to individuals, neighborhood groups, and community-based organizations in San Francisco. The program covers the fundamentals of personal preparedness and prevention and provides hands-on disaster response training. It equips participants with the skills needed to handle personal emergencies and effectively serve as part of a neighborhood response team.
The Neighborhood Emergency Response Team (SFFD-NERT) trains residents in basic disaster preparedness, first aid, fire safety, search and rescue, and more. The program equips local volunteers with the skills needed to respond to disasters like earthquakes, fires, or floods. NERT members are typically trained to support their immediate neighborhoods and help with evacuations, first aid, and damage assessment until professional help can arrive. By joining NERT, neighbors become empowered to take action when every moment matters.
The Auxiliary Communications Services (ACS) provides a crucial link when regular communication systems go down. ACS volunteers operate radio equipment to relay information between the City's Emergency Operations Center and various departments to enable effective communication and organization during a disaster. These volunteers are trained to communicate during emergencies, ensuring that critical information about the safety and status of residents is passed along quickly and accurately.
Both NERT and ACS rely on local volunteers to maintain their readiness. Volunteering offers the opportunity to make a tangible impact in your neighborhood while gaining skills that can be lifesaving. San Francisco residents can attend NERT training, participate in drills, and get involved in the ACS program to help strengthen the community’s emergency preparedness.
Stay informed and get involved today!
At our February meeting, we'll get updated and informed by two leaders in community disaster planning and preparedness: Jon Wurfl, SFFD NERT Haight-Ashbury Neighborhood Coordinator, and Corey Siegel, DEM-ACS Chief, will be presenting.
Together, we can build a safer, more resilient San Francisco. For more information,
https://www.sf.gov/information--auxiliary-communications-service