A Publication of San Francisco Collaborating Agencies Responding to Disaster.

THE DISASTER FILES SF CARD’s In Response Newsletter  

Issue #11 - August/September 2001

AGENCY SPOTLIGHT

Each Month CARD interviews one of it’s Steering Committee Member Agencies to learn not only what they do on a day to day basis but to see what their role will be in a catastrophic disaster.  This Month CARD visited Ruth Mitchell with Meals on Wheels.  Ruth has been with Meals on Wheels for 14 years and worked with them during San Francisco last big earthquake

 Spotlight Agency of the Month:

 THE MAYOR'S OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES  

JoAnn Scordino has been with the Mayor’s office of Emergency Services for five years.  She is an internationally renowned speaker, a decorated Red Cross volunteer, and has been a supporter and board member of CARD for 5 years.

    IR: What is the Mayor’s Office of Emergency Services?

The Mayor’s Office of Emergency Services or MOES is the main city department to handle trainings, distribute emergency preparedness material, and develop citywide disaster plans.  In a disaster situation, the MOES becomes the hub of communications and coordination’s for city departments.  There are six full time employees on staff during non-disaster times, but during a disaster the office could incorporate over 100 different city departments and agencies.

    IR: What do you do on a day-to-day basis?

My official title is community disaster coordinator. I host preparedness trainings for businesses, non-profits, neighborhood organizations, and schools.

I send out disaster publications to various agencies and I coordinate the disaster planning for the special needs populations.

All trainings are free and open to any interested group. I am also the city liaison to many different non-profits such as SFCARD, the Red Cross and NERT.

    IR: What can you offer to the City’s non-profit community?

I can come to their agency and offer free disaster preparedness training and material.  I can provide advice in disaster planning issues and a variety of disaster preparedness information.

    IR: What are some highlights of your job?

I was fortunate to coordinate and plan all of the events of the 10-year anniversary of the Loma Prieta Earthquake.  This was a tremendous opportunity because a lot of disaster material was disseminated to the public. Also, I was asked to speak at an emergency preparedness conference in Italy. However, I have to admit the best part of my job is being able to speak to the public and help set the planning in motion for a safer community. 

You can e-mail JoAnn Scordino or call her at(415)558-2703.

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Exciting October Events

Loma Prieta’s 12th Anniversary is just around the corner.  Use this opportunity to brush up on your emergency preparedness education, update disaster supplies and practice you family plans.  Below is a sampling of upcoming events. For more information, please contact CARD at (415)558-2737.

SFCARD’S Annual Survivor Conference: Does your agency have a disaster plan?  Do you need help re-writing or updating you plan? Then attend the second annual SFCARD general members conference.

The training will last for 3 hours and is tentatively scheduled for the morning of October 11.  Expect more information in September!

3rd Annual Fleet Week Community Preparedness Fair at the Marina Green, Saturday October 6th and Sunday October 7th,10-4.Come bring you family for two fun filled days of emergency preparedness, pick up some great information, catch a ride in a fire truck, eat some great Salvation Army donuts and tour the  City’s, Red Cross and Salvation Army’s disaster vehicles.

There are tons of volunteer opportunities available, too. Finally, you can’t get a better view of the Blue Angles!

Mass-Feeding Conference: Coming in late October the Mayor’s Officer of Emergency Services, SFCARD and the Salvation Army will be hosting a mass-feeding conference. The mission of this conference is to evaluate and restructure the City’s emergency plan dealing with mass-feeding issues. Any agency in food service should attend. Expect more information in September.

Is Your Agency Located in Chinatown?

Did you know there is a Chinatown disaster committee that could use your knowledge and expertise?  The Chinatown disaster committee has been going strong from 10 years and is in the process of updating the Chinatown Disaster Plan.  If you would like to participate or just like to check the group out stop by any third Thursday of the month at 5TH floor of the Chinese Hospital Administrative building .

FREE NERT (NEIGHBORHOOD EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM) TRAINING AVAILABLE!

Check out this great locations and times. To enroll in a class, call (415) 558-3459 and leave your name and phone number.