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City drafts plan to offer engineering assistance to Sichuan after May 12 earthquake, seeks multi-year engagement
Summary
City Administrator Ed Lee said San Francisco convened more than 35 engineering and construction firms to explore sending reconnaissance teams and possibly "adopting" a village in Sichuan province as part of a 3–5 year aid and learning program; a three‑page letter from the mayor is being sent to the Chinese consulate.
San Francisco officials told the Disaster Council they have convened Bay Area engineering and construction firms to coordinate technical assistance for recovery in Sichuan province after a May 12 earthquake.
City Administrator Ed Lee described a meeting in City Hall with more than 50 public and private participants, including over 35 technically oriented engineering firms that volunteered their expertise. The group discussed reconnaissance, inspection planning and how to apply building‑inspection lessons learned from prior U.S. earthquakes.
Lee said the city proposed, in coordination with regional partners, offering to “adopt” a village or area in central Sichuan and send reconnaissance teams and technical staff; the mayor’s office is drafting a three‑page letter to the Chinese consulate to outline the city’s offer. He framed the effort as a 3–5 year engagement intended both to assist recovery and to bring back lessons that can strengthen San Francisco’s preparedness.
Lee emphasized the dual goal of helping the affected communities while capturing technical lessons for local disaster response and recovery planning. The council did not authorize funding at the meeting; Lee said the outreach would proceed through appropriate diplomatic and consular channels.
