Earthquake and disaster preparedness is a topic dear to Californians and San Franciscans.
The official civilian preparedness organization is called NERT (Neighborhood Emergency Response Team). It is affiliated with the fire department (SFFD). In the event of a disaster, NERT volunteers gather at pre-defined locations and begin operations, sending out teams to help people in the area. Note: if you are not NERT trained and want to help, you will be asked to proceed to a training area and will not be permitted to help. So, it’s really helpful to get the training ahead of time! (Besides which, it’s really useful knowledge to have, even if you don’t end up operating within the NERT structure.)
Great California Shake-Out earthquake drill is always on the third Thursday of October (starting at 10:21 am).
SFFD NERT (official site).
SFFD NERT Facebook page.
SFNERT.com is an unofficial NERT site.
SF ACS (Auxiliary Communications Service) is an amateur radio organization that provides communications services during a disaster. (Among other things, communicating with NERT teams who also have amateur radio volunteers among them.)