San Francisco CARD Since 1989 Building a disaster- resilient community Alessa Adamo, Executive Director Brian Whitlow, Program Manager

SF CARD Mission Our mission is to ensure that nonprofit and faith-based organizations serving San Francisco’s vulnerable populations are prepared for a disaster; to play a central role in the coordination of these organizations in their preparedness, response and recovery efforts.

The Preparedness Gap It is estimated only about one- fifth (19%) of nonprofits report they are very prepared to operate after a major disaster, about one-half (51%) are somewhat prepared, and less than half have more than one or two components of a comprehensive disaster plan in place. Source: 2007 Building Organizational Capacity and Planning Capacity Report by Northern California Grantmakers

The Preparedness Gap Community based organizations are often the first line of response in connecting health and social services to disaster victims, and CBOs are needed for long-term recovery. Vulnerable populations rely on community based organizations to be there in a disaster Some organizations may have started service plans; however, lack the time, resources, awareness and expertise to have an effective disaster resiliency plan in place.

How SF CARD Contributes to the Solution Disaster Training and Consulting – Nonprofit or nongovernmental organizations – Faith-based organizations and congregations of all faiths – Continuity of Operations Planning (COOP) – Business Continuity Planning (BCP) – Neighborhood Planning— Resilient SF

Nonprofit & Faith-Based Organizations Are Essential to The Community Working with organizations like St. Anthony Foundation, SF CARD helps ensure that critical services continue after a major disaster.

Expertise Through Experience Local Deployments –Chinatown Rockslide –San Bruno Explosion and Fire –Activations for H1N1 –Tenderloin & Mission Fires. National Deployments –Gulf Hurricanes: Gustov and Ike –California Wildfires: Southern California

More Than Trainers Creating and maintaining strategic cross-sector relationships allows SF CARD to serve as a pivotal focal point for information and resource coordination

How a Disaster Unfolds Earthquake strikes with no warning Immediate affects – Deaths & injuries – Buildings compromised – Infrastructure & transportation – Communications – Fires – Water main breaks – Power outages

How a Disaster Unfolds Immediate Consequences – Hundreds of deaths – Thousands of injuries – Shortages of food, water and other essentials – Hundreds (thousands?) of dwellings uninhabitable – Unprepared communities respond and recover chaotically

Preparing for Response and Recovery Develop an organization disaster plan that addresses the elements which will enable your organization to recover from a disaster and allow you to operationalize to perform your disaster mission

The Experts Agree “ A Company that experiences a computer outage lasting more than 10 days will never fully recover financially. 50 percent will be out of business within five years.” HP and SCORE (2007): Counselors to America’s Small Business Report 70 percent of small firms that experience a major data loss go out of business within a year. (January 2009) Houston Area Research Center & Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): 35 – 40 percent of businesses disrupted by a disaster without a continuity plan never reopen. “ Because employee absenteeism may reach a peak of 40 percent at the height of a pandemic wave. ” The 5-year average of U.S. disaster losses is 2.5 billion (pre Katrina). Every dollar spent on disaster preparedness saves $7 in recovering disaster related economic losses. Resource:

What Are Some Disasters in Your Area? Please feel free to shout out a response!

Major Threats to the Bay Area Wildland Fires Hazardous Material Spills Landslides Power Disruptions Communication Disruptions Transportation Disruptions Weapons of Mass Destruction / Terrorism Earthquakes and all of the above!

Disaster Timeline Disaster Event Short Term (Response) Hours & Days Long Term (Recovery) Weeks, Months or More Normal OR New Normal A disaster cycle has different phases: Rescue, security, fire suppression, medical response, urgent care, (Response) Cleanup, facilities rebuild, business resumption, counseling, (Recovery) Resuming normal operations or adapting to the new environment (Normal or New Normal)

Elements of a Disaster Resilient Organization (DRO) 1.Disaster Mission Statement 2.Preparing Staff for Emergencies – Personal preparedness for staff 3.Personnel – Availability of staff after a disaster 4.Volunteers – Recruit, manage, and task 5.Meeting Client Needs – Addressing the basic needs of the people looking for help 6.On-Site Supplies – Preparedness supplies for staff for 3 days 7.Go-Kit – For evacuation of facility 8.Facility Preparation – Mitigating your surroundings to minimize damage 9.Signage – Posting signs around the facility 10.Neighborhood Resources – Knowing the local area resources 11.Evacuation & Transportation – Alternate operational sites and transportation methods 12.Communications – Messaging to your staff and clients & methods 13.ICS – Staff assignments and structure in place 14.Financing – Knowledge of assets, limitations and obligations 15.Service Continuation – Ensuring systems are in place to allow for emergency recovery operations

Community Resources Bay Area Coordinated Assistance Network (BA CAN) Nonprofit and faith-based organizations share reliable, up-to- information for preparedness activities or emergencies on a daily basis Share disaster client information in a disaster Match resources to disaster client need. Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster Is the forum where organizations share knowledge and resources throughout the disaster cycle— preparation, response and recovery—to help disaster survivors and their communities Members of National VOAD form a coalition of nonprofit & faith-based organizations that assist in community recovery We are members of San Francisco & NorCal VOAD

Call to Action – Develop a recovery plan for your organization(s) – Connect with local/regional response & recovery agencies – Develop a plan for community assistance – emergency-plan Brian E. Whitlow, MPA Program Manager ext. 235 Alessa Adamo Executive Director x230