Earthquake Fair to Commemorate 1906 Temblor

San Francisco history shifted dramatically at 5:12 a.m. on April 18, 1906, when a 7.8 magnitude earthquake ruptured the area. Over the next 30 years, experts say, the real threat to the San Francisco Bay Area will come from smaller earthquakes on the Hayward Fault, the Peninsula segment of the San Andreas Fault or the Rodgers Creek Fault. Significant activity in any of these areas will have an immediate impact on San Francisco and UCSF. As part of its efforts to protect the campus community, the UCSF Police Department (UCPD) is organizing a fair to commemorate the centennial of the 1906 earthquake. The Emergency Preparedness Section of UCPD will host "Prepare NOW!," an earthquake preparedness fair on Tuesday, April 18, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Saunders Court on the UCSF Parnassus campus. Representatives from the American Red Cross, the San Francisco Mayor's Office of Emergency Services and Homeland Security, the Auxiliary Communications Services, HAM operators for Office of Emergency Services, and the San Francisco Fire Department NERT (Neighborhood Emergency Response Team) Program will provide timely information on earthquake preparedness for work and home. In addition, Earth Shakes will sell a variety of personal disaster kits. Cole Hardware will provide other tools and accessories to round out emergency supplies. UCSF Medical Center's Surge tent will be on display and representatives will be available to answer questions. UCSF's Environmental Health and Safety also will provide demonstrations and hands-on training with fire extinguishers. This is an excellent time for floor wardens, those assigned to supervise evacuation efforts in UCSF buildings, to meet the community service officers at the UCPD Emergency Preparedness table. Community service officers are part of a newly developed position in UCPD. They are civilian counterparts to police officers who are currently assigned to emergency preparedness, as well as other duties. Floor wardens can have their questions answered and have current "Go-Bags," emergency supplies and equipment, numbered and logged. A bag can also be assigned to your department, if one was not previously issued. Fair attendees also can have their picture taken with McGruff, the crime dog. Attendees will be able to print out, or download, their photo online on the UCPD website by clicking on "Earthquake Fair Photos." In addition, those who complete a short survey at the UCPD table will receive a special gift. Source: Catherine Vallé-Friedman, Community Service Officer