Kendall E. Lee

Local Emergency Manager in the SF Bay Area 🌉 • My own views • He/Him

[San Francisco Department of Emergency Management @SF_emergency]

In 2025 the Department of Emergency Management took on new responsibilities coordinating the City's street response and large event planning while continuing to run the 911 dispatch center, regulate emergency medical services, lead the Emergency Operations Center, and more.

DEM staff are on duty 24/7/365 through storms, fires, power outages, tsunami threats, and everything in between. We coordinate emergency response operations across agencies, provide elected stakeholders with situational awareness, and share timely, accessible, actionable information with the public.

It was a busy year for every division, with the common thread of complex, interdepartmental problem solving running through each of these functions. Thank you to every member of the DEM team for your dedication - you are indispensable to the safety, preparedness, and resilience of San Francisco.

[San Francisco Department of Emergency Management @SF_emergency]

Yesterday the City and County of San Francisco conducted its annual Defense Support of Civil Authorities (DSCA) Capstone Exercise during Fleet Week, simulating emergency response operations following a magnitude 7.8 earthquake. The full-scale exercise tested disaster logistics, interoperable communications, and cross-sector coordination.

Although the ongoing federal government shutdown limited on-site participation by military and federal partners, the exercise moved forward with strong participation from local, regional, state, and private sector agencies, including PG&E, Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. Months of joint planning with federal partners made this exercise a unified effort across all levels of government, improving safety for all San Franciscans.

The exercise, coordinated by San Francisco’s Department of Emergency Management, took place across four locations, simulating the real-world complexity of a catastrophic event and the need to use back-up communications systems to coordinate across sites. Agencies tested how they would maintain communication, share resources, initiate damage assessment, and sustain operations under pressure.

[NASA History Office @NASAhistory]

Against all odds, the Apollo 13 crew splashed down in the Pacific Ocean 55 years ago today.

Through ingenuity, quick thinking, and dedication, each obstacle that faced the mission was ultimately overcome.

[San Francisco Department of Emergency Management @SF_emergency]

April 13-19 is National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. This week, we celebrate the invaluable contributions of the unsung heroes of San Francisco's emergency response system – our incredible 911 Public Safety Dispatchers.
Dispatchers work 24/7 to keep our communities safe. They are the calm voices we hear in our most urgent moments and the first link in the chain of emergency response.
When seconds count, these dedicated professionals coordinate critical resources across our city with precision and compassion. They're not just answering calls – they're saving lives every single day!
Join us all week as we highlight these amazing 911 heroes and the incredible work they do!

[Dr. Buzz Aldrin @TheRealBuzz]

The Apollo 13 mission launched on April 11th, 1970 – 55 years ago today. Above all else, Apollo 13 showed the greatness that people are capable of when put to a test with the highest stakes. Over the course of several tense days, the Apollo 13 crew (Jim Lovell, Fred Haise and Jack Swigert) and the NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration team on Earth worked as one to save lives and bring the spacecraft home. Apollo 13 will always remain a shining episode in America’s history. #AProudSalute to all of you for your extraordinary efforts during that challenging time.

[San Francisco Department of Emergency Management @SF_emergency]

For #NationalWeatherpersonsDay we would like to send a special shoutout to Brian Garcia from @NWSBayArea ❕ We appreciate your insights and collaboration to keep us weather aware, while helping residents prepare for everything from tornados to tsunamis.

[San Francisco Department of Emergency Management @SF_emergency]

Today’s drill showcased @SFFDPIO ‘s innovative emergency water firefighting systems: high-pressure hydrant system, wharf hydrants, the St. Francis Fireboat, which draws water from the bay, and more! These are critical response tools that we’re proud to have in SF’s toolkit

[City of Pasadena @PasadenaGov]

You may not think of transit drivers when you think of first responders, but that’s exactly what our Pasadena Transit team was on Tuesday night as the Eaton Fire broke out in Pasadena and Altadena. Our transit team drivers faced unimaginable conditions as they drove into evacuation zones to evacuate hundreds of seniors from living facilities, some buildings were already on fire, showing us that these unsung heroes wear Pasadena Transit hats, not capes.

[Mary Ellen Carroll (She/Her/Hers) @SFDEM_MEC]

Yesterday @SF_emergency DEM emergency services division’s Jenny and Jackie started work for their deployment to @ReadyLA @LACity to support the EOC in planning and the joint information center. I know they will be a great support to the efforts down south. Thanks J & J

[San Francisco Department of Emergency Management @SF_emergency]

Good morning 🌞 did you feel that? Take this as a reminder to get ready before the big one hits! You’re more prepared than you think you are - just take a few minutes to gather supplies and make a plan with your people.

[SAN FRANCISCO FIRE DEPARTMENT MEDIA @SFFDPIO]

9 more SFFD firefighters in 3 Type 6 pickup trucks just left to the Palisades Fire in Southern California. These trucks are smaller in size and more maneuverable in tighter spaces. They currently need all the resources they can get to relieve tired crews and SFFD is there to help. #SFFD #Palisadesfire

[SAN FRANCISCO FIRE DEPARTMENT MEDIA @SFFDPIO]

SFFD has just sent a Type 1 Strike Team consisting of 22 firefighters to the Palisades Fire in Southern California. We are always ready and available to assist our partnering agencies in events like this. #SFFD #PalisadesWildfire

[California Governor's Office of Emergency Services @Cal_OES]

The California Fire and Rescue Mutual Aid System allows firefighting resources to be mobilized quickly. @Cal_OES is continuing to coordinate resources to the scene of multiple fires in Southern California.

[California Governor's Office of Emergency Services @Cal_OES]

Here is the latest from the State Operations Center on the fires burning in @lcountyofla

[San Francisco Department of Emergency Management @SF_emergency]

Our hearts may be in San Francisco, but today they’re with Los Angeles.

[San Francisco Department of Emergency Management @SF_emergency]

In the last month, we received three Wireless Emergency Alerts - for a flash flood warning, tsunami warning, and tornado warning. These events highlight the importance of effective emergency management, 911 dispatch, emergency medical services, and coordinated street response.

[NWS Bay Area 🌉 @NWSBayArea]

Is your mobile device setup to receive wireless emergency alerts? Your mobile device could save your life. Have multiple ways to receive warnings at your fingertips. #CAwx

[NWS Bay Area 🌉 @NWSBayArea]

We've received questions about tornadoes and CA. How common are they? Here's a nice graphic our colleagues at @NWSSacramento created. Tornadoes in CA are actually not that uncommon. On average ~11 per year. #cawx

[NWS Bay Area 🌉 @NWSBayArea]

📃Preliminary Damage Survey Conducted. EF1 tornado observed in Scotts Valley this afternoon, December 14, 2024. The most severe damage was observed along Mt Hermon Rd. Full info: https://t.co/RQIwRzlVFk #cawx #scottsvalley

[San Francisco Department of Emergency Management @SF_emergency]

Our statement on the Tornado Warning issued by @NWSBayArea today.