Join SPUR for a timely conversation on seismic safety and emergency preparedness in San Francisco–in commemoration of the 1906 Great San Francisco Earthquake and Fire. The event will explore 1.) how the city has strengthened its building stock through retrofit programs and policy reforms, 2.) where risks remain (especially in downtown), and 3.) what is needed next.
SPUR will share insights from our forthcoming policy brief that highlights opportunities to integrate the city’s earthquake safety, downtown revitalization, housing, and building decarbonization goals. The program will also examine the growing challenges cities face as the federal government shifts more responsibility for disaster preparedness, response, and recovery onto local jurisdictions. For more context, read SPUR’s recent analysis, When FEMA Steps Back, Who Pays for San Francisco’s Next Disaster?.
Speakers will celebrate San Francisco’s progress to date, spotlight current initiatives like the Earthquake Safety & Emergency Response (ESER) bond and the city’s concrete building safety program, and explore how proactive investments in resilience and emergency preparedness today reduce future losses, protect lives, and will help residents and businesses recover more quickly after the next earthquake.
The event will conclude with an interactive audience Q&A. Please stay around after the event to chat with our speakers, meet other attendees, and enjoy drinks and snacks.
Speakers
- Moderator: Sarah Atkinson / Hazard Resilience Senior Policy Manager, SPUR
- Brian Strong / Chief Resilience Officer, SF Office of Resilience & Capital Planning
- Mary Ellen Carroll / Executive Director, SF Dept of Emergency Management
- Lisa Follman / Architect & Adaptive Reuse Leader at SOM
- Laurel Mathews / Technical Services Program Manager, SF Dept of Building Inspection
This program is part of SPUR’s Earthquake Safety Week, which also includes a SPUR member tour of the UC Law building at 100 McAllister Street—a historic building at Civic Center currently undergoing an extensive seismic retrofit—as well as a presentation in Sacramento to legislators on advancing state action on seismic safety, in partnership with the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute. We want to thank SPUR member and partner, Plant Construction, for sponsoring SPUR’s Earthquake Safety Week events.
Thank you to our sponsors: Degenkolb, HR&A Advisors, and Plant Construction!
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