Prepare

How do I… cope in the first 72 hours? 

For general information on how to prepare for the first 72 hours of an emergency, go to: 

  • SF72.org - provided by the San Francisco Department of Emergency Management (SFDEM)
  • Ready.gov - produced by FEMA

Emergency supplies and basic information 

After a major incident such as an earthquake, emergency resources may be seriously limited. It's recommended we be prepared to care for ourselves, and each other, for the first 72 hours. 

Manage your department’s preparedness responsibilities 

UCSF departments are responsible for maintaining their own emergency equipment and supplies as described in the UCSF Emergency Preparedness and Response Program Guidelines

Workplace emergency preparedness 

The keys to surviving any disaster are preparedness and planning.  

At your workplace: 

  • Volunteer for emergency training and assignments. 
  • Participate in all fire and evacuation drills. 
  • Follow instructions of emergency personnel and public safety officials during an emergency. 
  • Be familiar with the locations of fire alarm pull stations, fire extinguishers and emergency exit routes in your work and study areas. 
  • Contact your department emergency coordinator and read your department’s Emergency Action Plan.  
  • Become familiar with the emergency response procedures. 
  • Download UCSF SAFE App, available in iOS and Android. 

Personal emergency supplies 

Emergency supplies to keep on hand include the following: 

  • Drinking water plus enough water for hygiene purposes (e.g., handwashing) 
  • Snack foods such as energy bars, dried fruit, nuts and other energy snacks 
  • Canned and packaged foods that do not require heating such as fruit, juice, tuna, chicken, and jerky.  
  • Canned/packaged foods should be water-packed and low-salt whenever possible. 
  • Eating utensils, can opener 
  • Blanket, pillows (good to have: a space blanket and inflatable travel pillow) 
  • First aid supplies 
  • Headlamps (with batteries; these let you keep your hands free as an alternative to flashlights) or light sticks 
  • AM/FM radio with batteries 
  • Cell phone with extra battery and out-of-town contact phone numbers 
  • Daily medications and extra eyeglasses or extra contacts lenses and supplies 
  • Medical devices or aids 
  • Change of clothes, walking shoes (or tennis shoes) with socks, warm jacket, rain poncho 
  • Safety pins, whistle, pocketknife, toothpaste and toothbrush, hand sanitizers, towel, washcloth, sunscreen 
  • Books, playing cards, and other pastimes 
  • Childcare needs (clothing, water, food, blankets, medication, and the like). 
  • Pet care needs 

City of San Francisco emergency information 

The San Francisco Department of Emergency Management has helpful information on surviving the first 72 hours after a major event, such as an earthquake. 

FEMA resources 

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) offers a wealth of information on becoming ready to handle emergencies.