A ShakeOut Day of Activities

The following organizations participated on the ShakeOut conference call and shared with each other what activity their organization undertook, how many people participated, and what lessons were learned.

CVE, Inc. (Community Vocational Enterprises) - is a non-profit social enterprise that provides employment opportunities to individuals with mental health disabilities.

Over 40 individuals practiced duck, cover, and hold. The primary way CVE safety committee member’s initiated the drill was use of PA announcement and blowing whistles. CVE even had a class going on, which allowed for the instructors to spend time explaining to their clients what and why they are duck and covering.

The biggest issues CVE faced were hesitation from a few staff and clients. They plan on continuing to educate their staff and clients on the importance of duck, cover, and hold and the benefits of being personally prepared for a disaster.

The Jewish Community Center of San Francisco - is the oldest Jewish center on the West Coast, providing educational, social, cultural and fitness programs to the community since 1877. Open to all, with the mission of building and preserving Jewish Identity.

For this years ShakeOut activity, JCCSF wanted to focus on their preschool children’s population. Over 400 children, located at 3 schools practiced duck, cover, and hold. Additionally, they successfully tested their internal emergency notification system with over 500 staff receiving instructions to check their emergency supplies.

In the future, JCCSF plans on practicing duck, cover, and hold at their after-school programs.

La Casa de las Madres – responds to calls for help from domestic violence victims, of all ages, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Jennifer Grant waited till more staff was in the office by conducting an evacuation drill at 2:15PM. To initiate the drill, Jennifer pulled the burglar alarm.

Staff and clients evacuated the building, grabbing the agency’s go-kit and rallying at the pre-designated location. 4 pre-trained staff and clients stayed behind and conducted floor sweeps utilizing walkie talkies’ to communicate with the safety monitor at the rally spot.

Once everyone was accounted, Jennifer initiated their incident command.

The only lesson learned, Jennifer commented, was making sure the batteries are charged in the walkie talkies.

Project Open Hand - provides home delivered meals, groceries and nutrition counseling to people living with HIV/AIDS; congregate lunches.

180 people participated in the organization’s ShakeOut drill. Starting at 10am, Mr. Steve Hunter went on to the intercom and announced that their duck, cover, and hold drill has started. Based on staff feedback and Mr. Hunter’s observations, roughly 95% of staff and visitors did a great job in duck, covering, and holding.

After the drill was complete, Mr. Hunter along with front desk disseminated information about the drill and earthquake preparedness to clients who were in the lobby and food pantry. The following is testimony from Mr. Hunter based upon his personal experience after the drill:

“The biggest issue came from communicating with hearing impaired volunteers and folks with English as a second language. I had thought I had covered the language issue by having two people that spoke Chinese in the Grocery center directing folks, but there was still a level of not getting the concept in our client waiting room since there were a number of other native languages represented. For our hearing impaired volunteers I was able to write the message out and they ended up doing exactly what was required.”

“The other incredibly potent part of this exercise was the dissemination of information. I personally spoke with 80 people about this event, what they could do themselves to be better prepared and handed out a lot of flyers, as well as specifically what would be happening during the drill. I have done earthquake drills before and there was always this element of questioning. What are we doing, how long do we have to stay in place, is this real, etc. This drill was different and had a very positive outcome in many respects.”

San Francisco Food Bank – collects donated food from growers, manufacturers and grocers and distributes it to food pantries, soup kitchens, childcare centers, and homeless shelters.

Just as most organizations, they conducted a duck, cover, and hold drill at 10:15am with over 50 people participating. The kink their leadership threw in was that it was a surprise. Unlike past drills that are usually announced beforehand, SF Food Bank wanted to see how people would react. Overall staff did a fantastic job. The only observation made was that clients shopping for food did not know what to do and a delivery guy laid-down in the back of his truck.

From the experience, SF Food Bank leadership plans on continuing to educate clients and drivers on what to do if on site during an earthquake.

St. Anthony Foundation – provides shelter, housing, meals, medical care, clothing and furniture, rehabilitation services, and senior services.

As 10:15am struck, St. Anthony Foundation conducted a duck, cover, and hold drill for staff. Over a 90 staff members at their 150 Golden Gate Building participated.

Overall the drill was very successful and the most common question from staff was, where do they go once they evacuate?

Support for Families of Children with Disabilities – offers information, education, and parent-to-parent support for free of charge.

Trying to incorporate communication systems into their drills, they waited to hear a special noise on KNBR to initiate their organization’s drill. When nothing happened, they utilized their pre-establish evacuation procedures to initiate a mass evacuation.

Before 10:15am, they conducted a duck, cover, and hold drill then waited before evacuating. In total, over 23 staff members participated.

From the experience, they plan on practicing and training further staff on using their evacuation chair for individuals that have a disability who may need assistance evacuating.

H1N1 Flu Precautions for Your Organization

Please take even 30-60 minutes with key staff to discuss the HHS checklist for faith and community organizations to determine how you can continue your services while minimizing risk to your staff, volunteers and clients. The checklist can be accessed at http://www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/community/faithcomchecklist.html.

Some highlights and additions from the HHS checklist below:

• Determine the potential impact of a pandemic on your organization’s usual activities and services and understand you may have to provide some services differently. For example, how can you still serve your clients/members without bringing a lot of people into your facility? (Red Cross is planning that we may not want to have our volunteers come into our call center during a pandemic, but to staff this from home.) Keep in mind we are not at this stage yet, and there is no cause to abandon normal operations at this time, but we are recommending you take this opportunity to set policy for alternate operations.

• Are there certain activities and services that may facilitate virus spread from person to person that may need to be modified?

• Communicate with and educate your staff, members, clients, and volunteers to stem the virus’s spread. Ensure that what you communicate is appropriate for the cultures, languages and reading levels of your staff, members, and clients.

• Plan for staff absences (due to illness, school/transportation closures, etc):

• What services can you continue to deliver with minimal staffing?

• Who will decide when this will commence and when full services will be restored? (And who is the backup decision-maker?)

• Which staff is needed on-site?

• Can staff work remotely and what tools do they need to do this effectively? (e.g. remote email access, forwarding office phones to cell phones, remote access to shared servers (VPN), mechanisms for reporting/delivering work product)?

• Consider resources to protect your staff such as tissues and hand sanitizer. Also determine resources you may want to have pre-staged in case only essential personnel can come to work.

San Francisco Emergency Operations Center Conference Call Notes, May 1, 2009

Call I
11:00 call (private sector)

Q: When should someone go to the doctor? I’m sick, kid sick, etc…
A: when you would normally go to the doctor. Don’t go to Doctor if you are not sick. Please practice good judgment. If you are sick, you should probably stay home. Same for child – if you want to stay home with your child then do so until you see your child is getting better – but that is your decision.

Q: Should I come to work if my child is sick, or should I wait until my child receives a clean bill of health?
A: Same as above: but know, you will not be tested for H1N1 if your doctor does not think you have that. So, you may not necessarily be able to receive something that states that you took a test and received a negative result.

Q: Average duration of illness (here and in Mexico)?

No Answer at this time

Q: When are we most contagious?

A: CDC says, people are most infectious one day prior to onset of symptoms until 7 days after.

Q: If we have a case at work.. guidance please.
A: This needs to come from your Senior Management and should be in your emergency operating plans AKA (COOP) Continuity of Operations Plans. All cases of H1N1 are reported to the DPH (Dept. of Public Health) and DPH will contact your business and work with you.

Q: What to do if someone shows signs of illness?
A: Practice good judgment. DPH is saying that this is a “mild flu.” However, try to not infect others. Stay home and keep well. If your symptoms persist then go see your doctor.

Q: Protocols if someone in my workplace tests positive?
A: This needs to come from your Senior Management and should be in your emergency operating plans or COOP plans. All cases of H1N1 are reported to the DPH and DPH will contact your business and work with you.

Q: Are you looking to be consistent with the CDC?
A: We are separate agencies but do communicate and work with each other.

Q: Will treatment be used as a vaccination – Will more of the antiviral be made available to the public? How many are available now?
A: If you are diagnosed with H1N1, you will receive the required treatment. Right now we have enough. RE: will it be used as a vaccine? A: it is being looked in to.

End of call I

Call II
1:00 pm call (CBO/FBOs)
Q: Is there a site we can refer to?
A: Yes! Visit www.sfcdcp.org or www.dph.org . You can also call: 888.865.0564. Representatives will be able to assist you (multilingual)

Q: Let’s say our school closes.. what are next steps e.g. pay for staff and safety.
A: These policies need to come from within your organization.

Q: JCC - Is it recommended that we send a letter out to our clients?
A: Sure, why not? Tell them of the precautions you are taking or share with them basic information you can pull from various sites.

Q: If there is closure - what are the steps we are going to take?
A: Policy issues re: pay, etc.. need to come from within your organization: But again, if someone from your org tests positive to H1N1, DPH will be notified and we will work with you.

Q: What is the general option of school closures (State and Fed expect the procedure to be closure).
A: Mixed opinions locally

Q: Is there a health requirement to close school if there is a positive test result?
A: Different opinion in each district – however, this mandate comes from the Federal and State Level.

Q: Foreign travelers – where do we stand. Where do we send them if they need to access healthcare?

A: Send them where you would normally send them.. We are looking for more guidance.

Q: Community Centers: pools, jacuzzi’s, etc.. will Chlorine kill the flu? And what do we do if a member tests positive??

A: We are looking for more guidance on chlorine. See next question for positive test results.

Q: What will happen to a shelter if there is a positive test?? What happens to the clients?
A: All cases of H1N1 are reported to the DPH. DPH will contact your business and work with you. Note: If your client does not tell DPH that they reside at your shelter, then DPH will not know. NOTE: what is not answered here is: Should the shelter turn the person away if the person comes and says they tested positive for H1N1. However, it was stressed that your organization should probably have an idea of how you deal with individuals that do not feel well and are in your facility.

Q: Will the city know of a case before the organization knows. The worry is that a client will show up and say, “hey, I just tested positive to Swine..”
A: DPH knows before you do. DPH will contact you and work with you.

Q: Does SF offer sanctuary to immigrants so they can go to the doctor and not worry about immigration status?
A: Yes. Tracking immigration status is not the priority of Public Health- wellness is.
End of call II

Call III

2PM Call (Schools – USD & PVT)

Q: School is awaiting results. If the test comes back positive, does the school close?

A: This mandate will come from Federal and State gov. Right now, the answer is yes – but you will be notified and walked through the process

Q: Do we move forward with school trips – if so, what method of transport do you recommend?

A: We are not recommending social isolation (unless you are sick and until you are well.) Continue to live normally, but practice good hygiene.

Q: If one of our students has a sibling that tested positive, what do we do? Further Guidance is being sought.

Q: What exactly is the purpose of closing the school? Is it to isolate the school or to isolate the kids?

Further Guidance is being sought.

Q: Higher Education: What do we do if we have a student test positive or if a student is sick? Do we close classrooms, resident halls, campus, what? Some of these kids only have their dorm room as a home… nowhere to go.
A: DPH will work with you if there is a mandatory dormitory closing.

Q: What is the timeline – re: Dorm closure: DPH to work with school?

Further Guidance is being sought.

Q: How should the school deal with parents that do not let their children come to school because they are scared their child will get sick.
A: DPH not qualified to speak on laws around children and education: School board has a letter they will share that can be sent out. Child’s education is important.

Q: Does the school call the Asst. Superintendant if the school has a confirmed case of Swine Flu.
A: Yes – but most likely, he/she has already been notified by DPH.

Q: There was a rumor that a public school evacuated – is that true?
A: Correct; there was no public school evacuation. This was a rumor (for San Francisco).

Q: Are there any cases of sibling issue (transmission)?
A: Not in San Francisco.

Q: Medical Director at SFSU wants to know rules on reporting regular flu symptoms.
A: go to CDC website and follow instructions.

Q: To DPH: what are your recommendations for cleaning the school if a child tests positive?

Further Guidance is being sought.

Q: Right now, how prevalent is the “regular” flu? Schools are interested in knowing.
A: Good Question: We don’t currently have the answer to this question.

End of call III

Call IV

3PM Call (Consular Corps)

Q: French: Any travel restrictions?
A: Just the Federal recommendation of do not travel to Mexico unless it is critical.

Q: Mexico: Any message about eating Pork?
A: We have stated that a person cannot contract H1N1 virus from eating pork.

Q: Germany: Do you recommend masks?
A: No. However, it is not forbidden either.

Q: Germany: Do you have enough Tamiflu in stock?
A: Yes

Q: Is it possible to get Tamiflu at the pharmacy?
A: If you are diagnosed as someone needing Tamiflu, it will be available to you.

Q: Egypt: Can you please notify Consular Affairs or a specific Consulate if someone from one of our countries is diagnosed with having H1N1?

We will work to do so.

Q: Will you send us a daily newsletter?
A: We already are. If you are not receiving it, please let us know. Contact SF CARD - 415-955-8946 x230

Q: Are you going to tell us about SF only – or can you offer us information on the entire Bay Area?
A: ???? also, please visit WHO, CDC, etc…

Q: Can you give the Consulates regular updates?
A: Please continue to check our websites at www.sfcdcp.org or www.dph.org . You can also call: 888.865.0564. Representatives will be able to assist you (multilingual)

Q: Which site is more current: CDC or DPH?

We are attempting to answer this question, but it may take some time.

Did you know that before the 1989 earthquake happened Terry Steinbach, catcher for the A's...

hit the last home run in Game 2 of the 1989 World Series . Fortunately, no one in Mr. Steinbach's family tree died during the 1906 earthquake! I guess there's no six degree's with this example!

Lastly, during the 1906 Earthquake Centennial wrap-up on April 23, 2006, Mr. Steve Kawa spoke the most poignant and accurate articulations about the individuals who live in San Francisco. He stated (referring to the aftermath of the 1906 earthquake), "the population of San Francisco was 430,000 at the time of the earthquake. With so much devastation you would think a lot of folks would just say 'adios' and move elsewhere. But they stayed, they rebuilt."

I believe Mr. Kawa's comments sum up what I believe all of us in San Francisco will do after the next catastrophic earthquake!

A Personal Account from US Airways Flight 1549 Crash Continued

and I prayed for courage to control my fear and help if able.

I quickly realized that one of two things was going to happen, neither of them good. We could hit by the nose, flip and break up, leaving few if any survivors, bodies, cold water, fuel. Or we could hit one of the wings and roll and flip with the same result. I tightened my seat belt as tight as I could possibly get it so I would remain intact.

As we came in for the landing, I looked out the windows and remember seeing the buildings in New Jersey, the cliffs in Weehawken, and then the piers. The water was dark green and sure to be freezing cold. The stewardesses were yelling in unison "Brace! Brace! Brace!"

I saw a story on US Airway's mandatory annual two day safety training program for cabin attendants: one element of the story was that the industry had learned that attendants had to repeat commands continuously if they were to be effective. I read that the three cabin crew members on the plane had a collective 90 years of experience--and the most junior of them had been flying for 26 years. Looks like the training worked.

It was a violent hit - the water flew up over my window - but we bobbed up and were all amazed that we remained intact.

There was some panic - people jumping over seats and running towards the doors, but we soon got everyone straightened out and calmed down. There were a lot of people that took leadership roles in little ways. Those sitting at the doors over the wing did a fantastic job…they were opened in a New York second! Everyone worked together - teamed up and in groups to figure out how to help each other.

I exited on the starboard side of the plane, 3 or 4 rows behind my seat through a door over the wing and was, I believe, the 10th or 12th person out. I took my seat cushion as a flotation device and once outside saw I was the only one who did….none of us remembered to take the yellow inflatable life vests from under the seat.

We were standing in 6-8 inches of water and it was freezing. There were two women on the wing, one of whom slipped off into the water. Another passenger and I pulled her back on and had her kneel down to keep from falling off again. By that point we were totally soaked and
absolutely frozen from the icy wind.

The ferries were the first to arrive, and although they're not made for rescue, they did an incredible job. I know this river, having swum in it as a boy. The Hudson is an estuary - part salt and part fresh water - and moves with the tide. I could tell the tide was moving out because we were tacking slowly south towards Ellis Island, The Statue of Liberty, and The Battery.

The first ferry boat pulled its bow up to the tip of the wing, and the first mate lowered the Jacobs ladder down to us. We got a couple people up the ladder to safety, but the current was strong pushing the stern of the boat into the inflatable slide and we were afraid it would puncture it…there must have been 25 passengers in it by now. Only two or three were able to board the first ferry before it moved away.

Another ferry came up, and we were able to get the woman that had fallen into the water on the ladder, but she just couldn't move her legs and fell off. Back onto the ladder she went; however, the ferry had to back away because of the swift current. A helicopter arrived on station (nearly blowing us all off the wing) and followed the ferry with the woman on the ladder. We lost view of the situation but I believe the helicopter lowered its basket to rescue her.

As more ferries arrived, we were able to get people up on the boats a few at a time. The fellow in front of me fell off the ladder and into the water. When we got him back on the ladder he could not move his legs to climb. I couldn't help him from my position so I climbed up the ladder to the ferry deck where the first mate and I hoisted the Jacobs ladder with him on it…when he got close enough we grabbed his trouser belt and hauled him on deck. We were all safely off the wing.

We could not stop shaking. Uncontrollable shaking. The only thing I had with me was my blackberry, which had gotten wet and was not working. (It started working again a few hours later).

The ferry took us to the Weehawken Terminal in NJ where I borrowed a phone and called my wife to let her know I was okay. The second call I made was to Jenn. I knew she would be worried about me and could communicate to the rest of the firm that I was fine. At the terminal, first responders assessed everyone's condition and sent people to the hospital as needed. As we pulled out of Weehawken my history kicked in and I recall it was the site of the famous duel between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr in 1804. Thankfully I left town in better condition than Mr. Hamilton who died of a mortal wound the next day! I stayed with my sister on Long Island that evening, then flew home the next day.

I am struck by what was truly a miracle. Had this happened a few hours later, it would have been pitch dark and much harder to land. Ferries would no longer have been running after rush hour and it would not have been the same uplifting story. Surely there would have been fatalities, hypothermia, an absolute disaster!

I witnessed the best of humanity that day. I and everyone on that plane survived and have been given a second chance. It struck me that in our work we continuously seek excellence to solve our client's leadership problems. We talk to clients all the time about the importance of experience and the ability to execute. Experience showed up big time on Flight 1549 as our pilot was a dedicated, trained, experienced professional who executed flawlessly when he had to.

I have received scores of emails from across the firm and I am so grateful for the outpouring of interest and concern. We all fly a great deal or work with someone who does and so I wanted to share this story - the story of a miracle. I am thankful to be here to tell the tale.

There is a great deal to be learned including: Why has this happened to me? Why have I survived and what am I supposed to do with this gift? For me, the answers to these questions and more will come over time, but already I find myself being more patient and forgiving, less
critical and judgmental.

For now I have 4 lessons I would like to share:

1. Cherish your families as never before and go to great lengths to keep your promises.
2. Be thankful and grateful for everything you have and don't worry about the things you don't have.
3. Keep in shape. You never know when you'll be called upon to save your own life, or help someone else save theirs.
4. When you fly, wear practical clothing. You never know when you'll end up in an emergency or on an icy wing in flip flops and pajamas and of absolutely no use to yourself or anyone else.

Thanks to all who have reached out …I look forward to seeing you soon!