NERT: Emergency Preparedness

If you’ve lived in San Francisco for any significant amount of time, you’ve felt an earthquake. When the next big one hits, the SFFD will be stretched thin and focused on major fires and rescues. That’s where NERT comes in.

NERT, Neighborhood Emergency Response Team, is a free training program offered by the San Francisco Fire Department that teaches everyday residents how to support their neighbors in a disaster. Participants learn fire suppression basics, light search and rescue, first aid triage, and how to safely shut off gas. The goal is simple: reduce harm in your immediate area until professional help arrives.

How to get involved:

• Free training sessions are offered regularly throughout the city. Find the schedule at sf-fire.org/nert

• Drills and exercises let you practice skills with your neighbors after completing the course

• Neighborhood teams organize by district, so you’ll be training alongside the people you’d actually rely on

NERT is open to anyone who lives, works, or studies in San Francisco. No experience necessary — just a willingness to show up for your community when it matters most.

For broader emergency preparedness resources, visit sf.gov/readysf.