SF hosts earthquake preparedness drill as federal and military support scaled back due to shutdown

"Since 2011, the event has included a large-scale earthquake drill -- bringing together military and local agencies to test disaster response. But this year, federal and military support is limited. The drill took place Tuesday at Piers 30/32. Multiple agencies and private companies participated, preparing for a catastrophic event, the scenario was a major, 7.8 earthquake. The exercise focused on how San Francisco would keep communication lines open and supplies moving in the aftermath of a catastrophic event."

"The folks that you see here today are the folks that are going to be first on scene when there's an emergency and the last ones to leave. So while we're disappointed and sad that our federal military partners can't join us, I feel like we understand what they would be doing here today if they were here. So the show must go on, and we have to keep practicing."

"Crews from San Francisco's Department of Emergency Management, Fire, Police, and several other agencies joined state and private partners like AT&T and PG&E. The teams tested how different systems talk to each other when traditional networks go down. Though they did it without federal partners, the Department of Emergency Management said the drill still went well. Each year the exercises test something different, like how to transport first responder and disaster service workers"

San Francisco held its annual Fleet Week earthquake drill at Piers 30/32 with limited federal and military participation because of a government shutdown. Multiple city agencies, state partners, and private companies such as AT&T and PG&E simulated response to a major 7.8 magnitude earthquake. Exercises focused on maintaining communications and moving supplies when traditional networks fail, and on transporting first responders and disaster service workers. Crews from Emergency Management, Fire, and Police tested interoperability and coordination. Officials described the drill as successful despite absent federal partners and emphasized continued practice.

Read at ABC7 San Francisco