While earthquakes and fires threaten much of San Francisco, the Outer Sunset has particular challenges in times of disaster. The neighborhood lies along a tsunami evacuation zone, and is at risk for liquefaction in an earthquake, as much of it was built on sand dunes. Language barriers and a larger population of senior citizens also pose challenges for communication within the area.
To build a stronger community response, a coalition of community organizations and members spearheaded by the office of Supervisor Katy Tang last week launched a program called Resilient Sunset.
"There are a lot of emergency programs out there," said Tang in her opening remarks. "What we wanted to do was custom tailor it to our community, our businesses, and our service providers."
The program aims to raise awareness and prepare Outer Sunset residents for an emergency or disaster, allowing residents to stay safe for 72 hours. This includes working with Recology and NERT (Neighborhood Emergency Response Team) to provide public and residential areas with red bins that would contain emergency supplies and be stationed with residents who have undergone NERT training.
Specific venues would also be designated as Neighborhood Resiliency Resource Centers to coordinate disaster response and provide resources and shelter, including a Central Sunset Hub, which is comprised of the area around Ortega and Sunset Boulevard, including St. Ignatius College Preparatory, Sunset Elementary School, Ortega Branch Library, and A.P. Giannini Middle School.
The program also includes cooperation with local merchants, who will provide discounts for specific items as part of a monthly supply campaign that will run through August 2017.
While human residents of the Sunset are a priority in a disaster response plan, pets were included as part of the campaign.
"In an emergency, we need to be able to secure animals," said Sanford Jones, the owner of Sunset Pet Supply on Noriega. He pointed to what happened during Hurricane Katrina, which saw the widespread displacement of both humans and pets, and the difficulty in pet owners reuniting with their animals.
"I always keep spare leashes with me in my car," he said. "Having spare leashes, crates, and muzzles will help you be accepted into a shelter."
A Resilient Sunset guide was also published for residents, outlining practical tips to survive for 72 hours, emergency kit checklists, and actions residents can take before a disaster strikes.
As the program continues to get underway, Outer Sunset residents are encouraged to get involved. The first step? Start small and get to know your neighbors.
