When the Big One strikes - is San Francisco Office of Emergency Services - ready?

The San Francisco Office of Emergency Service ( SF OES) is in deep trouble.

We know for sure according to sources like the United States Geological Survey - that any time now and in the next fifteen years - the Big One will strike.

In San Francisco using the maps from the experts - we see large areas - prone to liquefaction. In other words large areas - that have tall buildings - built on poor landfill - and ready to topple - when we experience a Big Earthquake.

Thousands of homes in the Sunset will topple they are sitting on sand - with poor foundations.

Proposed new facilities at Candlestick Point will topple - this is prime land that is prone to very serious - liquefaction. Near by radiological elements and prone to methane gas and other adverse impacts.

In 1989 we had Sixth United States Army and Presidio of San Francisco. For those that know - and have the facts the U.S. Sixth Army played an important role - in help victim and rescue operations.

San Francisco does not have a helicopter - the one we had that was operated by the SF Police Department was sold.

We had the trained Sixth U.S. Army soldiers and of course we had the resources. We had the Corps of Engineers - and we could help - as the Army did - when they came to the rescue of the victims in the Marina.

Five story buildings - were reduced to two and three - they just sunk - when the earth - most of it sitting on a jello - failed to hold the buildings.

Gas pipes leaked - there were some fires - and the hydrants did not work. A fire-boat came to the rescue - with water pumped from the Bay.

Have we learned our lesson from that episode?

Today, the folks that run the SF OES have no clue. Most of them were not there when the 1989 Earthquake struck.

Most of them the so called First Responders that should be directing the operations - live outside San Francisco. They all make huge salaries - and the pity is that they are so - arrogant and ignorant.

At Hunters Point Naval Shipyard - we have ninety percent of the Hunters Point Naval Shipyard - prone to liquefaction.

Yet, the SF OES has no clue about what to do. They have no clue about the seriousness of the Radiological Elements. The presence of Methane Gas in the area - and the over 150 radiological elements, heavy metals, and other toxic elements that our SF Fire Department and the SF Police Department - are not able to handle less address.

Most of them have not hear the Final Historical Radiological Assessment Report - linked to the Hunters Point Naval Shipyard. The corrupt powers to be want to cap the land. Go figure!

I asked questions and it was pathetic that these so called experts - had no clue about most anything radiological, the tons of methane gas from the Hunters Point Naval Shipyard spewing into the air.

The methane flares from the Phelps Raw Sewage Plant - situated in the middle of a residential area in the Bayview. Further - most of them had no detail idea of the liquefaction maps - they had seen them - but had no clue how it would adversely impact - thousands.

For the public at large - the lesson to be learned is simple - educate yourselves and be prepared. For weeks - you will get no help. Not at the rate these fools are addressing issues.

The constituents most likely to suffer from the Southeast Sector - due to discrimination. Much like the poor wards in New Orleans.

Mayor Gavin Newsom witnessed the Emergency Drill in Haifa, Israel and was impressed. In Haifa they have a plan, they have empirical data, they have Block Captains in place, they have training, the resources, and the person power. They value life - believe me they do.

What do we have in San Francisco linked to the Mayor and the SF OES - lots of talk - that is all.

It would be a very good idea to invite the experts from Haifa to review our Emergency Plans.

Haifa is our sister city and the least they can do - is help us in our foolishness. The sooner Mayor Gavin Newsom does this the better. He opened his mouth and put his foot inside - little knowing that Gavin Newsom - is inexperienced and what he sees and hears - he is impressed with.

The last time around he was in Hana, Hawaii when the Cosco Busan episode polluted our shores.
He blamed everyone but himself and his poorly trained so called First Responders.

Learn from Katrina, from Gustavo, and now Ike.

Learn from the Earthquakes all over the world - but for sure let us invite the experts from Haifa - to help us - they will point the flaws that we have.

Let us do this - before we decided to close down our City and hear the wails and cries from the Business Community and the others. We do need some Emergency Drills but they must make - sense.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/franciscodacosta/sets/72157607253642632/show/

Francisco Da Costa
Director
Environmental Justice Advocacy

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