By Jon Wurfl, SFFD NERT Haight Ashbury Neighborhood Coordinator

Editor’s note:  Jon Wurfl was at our February meeting, and wrote this article, which we received too late to be included in the March issue of the HANC Voice:

In the 1730s, fire was a constant threat to Philadelphia, then the nation's largest city. At 29, Benjamin Franklin proposed a solution through his Pennsylvania Gazette: create the first professional firefighting department. He also reminded citizens that "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." Franklin recommended households have leather firefighting buckets, chimney sweeps be certified, straw roofs be replaced with tile, and smoking be banned in fire-prone areas. City leaders acted, passing laws, improving standards, and distributing fire prevention tools. As a result, Philadelphia became one of the safest cities in the world. Similarly, we in San Francisco must take precautions to protect against both natural and human threats.

Awareness of the fundamentals of disaster preparedness can go a long way toward resilience when things go wrong.

FEMA defines resilience as: "the capacity of individuals, communities, businesses, institutions, and governments to adapt to changing conditions and to prepare for, withstand, and rapidly recover from disruptions to everyday life, such as hazard events."

Being resilient can be simple and take shape in making sure you have a plan.

Create a family emergency plan. Disasters can strike when you're apart, so it's essential to know how to stay in contact and where to meet if separated. Choose a familiar, easy-to-find meeting place for everyone.

Customize your plan to fit your daily needs and responsibilities. Discuss how family members can help with communication, childcare, business, pet care, or specific needs like medical equipment. Build a support network where you might need assistance. Keep these factors in mind as you develop your plan:

• Different ages of members within your household
• Responsibilities for assisting others

• Locations frequented
• Dietary needs
• Medical needs, including prescriptions and equipment
• Disabilities or access and functional needs, including devices and equipment
• Languages spoken
• Cultural and religious considerations
• Pets or service animals
• Households with school-aged children

FEMA publishes a wallet-sized card with important information for you to carry. Most of us store our phone numbers electronically and may not have them if the battery dies. Plan to give one to each member of your family.

Here is a link to their website:

https://www.ready.gov/sites/default/files/2020-03/family-emergency-  plan_wallet.pdf (editor’s note:  this site has apparently been disabled.  Information on making an emergency plan can be found here:  https://www.ready.gov/plan )

Jon Würfl can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.