The San Francisco Neighborhood Emergency Response Team (NERT) is ramping up its efforts to prepare citizens for disasters, as highlighted in a recent city meeting led by Captain Brandon Tom. With a legacy dating back to the aftermath of the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, NERT has trained nearly 35,000 volunteers, equipping them with essential skills to assist their communities during emergencies.

Captain Tom emphasized the program's dual mission: personal preparedness and community outreach. Volunteers undergo over 20 hours of FEMA-standardized training, learning how to respond to various disasters, from earthquakes to fires. This training not only prepares individuals to help their neighbors but also strengthens the city’s overall emergency response capabilities.

The meeting also featured Nathan Karkovsky, a long-time NERT member, who shared the program's recent initiatives, including staffing cooling centers during extreme heat events and supporting COVID-19 vaccination efforts. Karkovsky noted that NERT acts as a "force multiplier," especially crucial in disasters when the ratio of firefighters to citizens becomes strained.

However, challenges loom as the program faces an aging volunteer base and a need to engage a younger, more diverse demographic. Karkovsky pointed out the importance of adapting outreach efforts to meet the needs of vulnerable populations, particularly those reliant on medical equipment during power outages.

Advisory board member Steiger echoed the call for increased staffing support, highlighting that the current team often operates with minimal personnel. He stressed that every dollar invested in NERT yields significant returns in community resilience, making a strong case for enhanced resources to sustain and expand the program.

As San Francisco continues to evolve, the NERT program remains a vital component of the city's disaster preparedness strategy, fostering a culture of neighbors helping neighbors in times of crisis. The city is poised to strengthen its emergency response framework, ensuring that all residents are equipped to face future challenges together.