Red Cross to Launch Disaster Readiness Initiative in San Bruno, Other Bay Area Cities

San Bruno is one of several Bay Area cities selected to participate in a program spearheaded by the Red Cross to improve disaster readiness among communities throughout the region.

The Red Cross announced the initiative on Friday in a “prep rally” program in San Francisco’s Union Square where PG&E pledged $1 million to help get the program, called Ready Neighborhoods, off the ground.

The initiative, which has been in the works between the Red Cross and PG&E since 2005, is meant to prepare at least one person in each household so that every community knows what to do in the event of a disaster.

“It was made clear to us that our job is not ever done,” Harold Brooks, the Red Cross Bay Chapter CEO, said at Friday’s event, explaining how the organization noticed a pattern of communities not being ready after several disasters over the last few years. “So we’re just beginning our journey for preparedness.”

Through the Ready Neighborhoods program, the Red Cross will work closely with community leaders, businesses, nonprofit organizations and officials to identify vulnerable neighborhoods, set community-specific goals and equip people with disaster preparedness tools.

One of the first efforts will be focusing on low-income neighborhoods where English is not the first language spoken, said Red Cross spokeswoman Melanie Finke.

San Bruno was selected to be a part of the program because of the Sept. 9 gas explosion and fire in the Crestmoor neighborhood and because the Red Cross is already working with residents on disaster preparedness skills through the in downtown.

The other cities in the program haven’t yet been announced, Finke said. However, five others should be identified later this year, she said.

For more information about Ready Neighborhoods, visit www.redcross.org.