#earthquake-preparedness

#earthquake-preparedness

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- As we approach the 36th anniversary of the devastating 6.9-magnitude Loma Prieta earthquake, you may be wondering, how safe is San Francisco? The city has an ongoing campaign to enhance safety if we're ever to face another big quake again. Come December, owners of thousands of presumed concrete buildings in San Francisco will be asked to take part in a screening program. In the meantime, soft-story building owners have been overwhelmingly compliant in making sure their structures are safe.

Berkeley protests this Saturday are planned from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Telegraph Avenue and Bancroft Way; from 11 a.m. to noon at San Pablo and University; and from 1-3 p.m. at the pedestrian overpass at the north end of Aquatic Park, where activists will be in ocean creature costume with signs to protect endangered sharks, whales and seabirds imperiled by the President's Executive Orders.

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.

If an earthquake strikes, experts say to drop to your hands and knees, and either crawl under a cover like a table or against a wall away from windows. Grab hold of something sturdy and stay crouched down, covering your head with your arms in case anything falls on you. The U.S. government's Ready website has more detailed instructions, including for people using canes, walkers, or wheelchairs.

Many disaster risk-reduction measures aim to change people’s behaviour by raising individuals’ awarenesses of the risks. These actions need to be made more effective - which could be done by following the approach taken by public-health professionals to communicating risks.

Rescue swimmers with the San Francisco Fire Department saved a man from the Bay near Pier 1 1/2 early Friday morning, and he was hospitalized for evaluation.

The Japanese government approved significant upgrades to the national plan to safeguard the public against potential earthquakes, particularly in the wake of ongoing tremors in the Tokara Islands.