DBI restarts Disaster Coordination Unit, lays out training and mapping plan for earthquakes

Tony Greco, acting chief of DBI’s Disaster Coordination Unit, told the Building Inspection Commission on April 20 that the unit was reactivated on 03/07/2011 and presented a six‑point work plan to prepare DBI for earthquake and disaster response.

Greco said the DCU’s mission is “to prepare, coordinate and organize department personnel and resources to provide an effectively managed response to incidents of earthquake, emergency and other disasters in conjunction with the Department of Emergency Management.” The plan includes mandatory staff training consistent with FEMA and California Office of Emergency Services requirements, revising DBI’s emergency response plan to conform to the city’s all‑hazards strategic plan, clarifying duties for the building safety assessment team, verifying cost‑recovery and reporting documents, participating in Emergency Operations Center meetings and exercises, and modernizing the department operations center for rapid activation.

Greco described steps DBI is taking to integrate with City and County emergency structures, including re‑establishing coordination with Public Works on infrastructure response and producing maps of critical transportation routes, shelters and facilities that will guide pre‑designed "strike teams." He said DBI’s command vehicle is being serviced and will soon be available for disaster response and training.

On training, Greco emphasized recurring disaster‑service‑worker education under National Incident Management System (NIMS) and Incident Command System (ICS) frameworks and said DBI will focus on post‑disaster building safety inspections and rapid occupancy assessments. He noted DBI’s involvement in the Building Occupancy and Resumption Program (BORP), saying the BORP list currently includes roughly 118–120 buildings that receive priority evaluation.

Commissioners pressed DBI on practical details. Commissioner Walker suggested linking DBI’s code‑enforcement outreach teams and Single Room Occupancy (SRO) collaboratives to emergency planning so responders know which buildings house vulnerable residents; Greco agreed such occupant information would improve rescue and response prioritization. Other commissioners asked about recovery coordination with Planning; Greco said recovery is included in DBI’s plan but requires more detailed addenda to identify planning personnel who would assist with rapid permitting after an event.

Greco acknowledged limits to DBI’s authority over utilities: DBI will report damage and potential hazards but coordination of gas shutoffs and utility isolation would be led by the Department of Emergency Management and the relevant utility (PG&E). He also said deputization of engineers from other departments — needed for legal authority and reimbursement in some response activities — would be handled by the DBI director following legal requirements.

Public comment included praise for reactivating the unit and calls for regular drills. Resident Spencer Gosh said he was "very pleased that the unit has been restarted" and urged training and exercises. Gosh later raised separate allegations about department management (see separate article). Greco said DBI will return with a timetable and measurable benchmarks at a future commission meeting.

The commission did not take formal action on the DCU report; staff agreed to provide a timeline of target dates and to continue monthly updates.