This October, we commemorated the 30th anniversary of the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. Every year since that fateful day when the 6.9 earthquake hit San Francisco at 5:04pm on October 17, we take time to remember the lives lost, the properties damaged and to remind San Franciscans of the importance of being prepared for the next Big One. Living in earthquake country, we are vulnerable to earthquake events like the 4.7 earthquake in Hollister, 4.5 earthquake that hit Walnut Creek and 3.6 earthquake in Pacifica that occurred in the last two weeks. The City remains vigilant and pro-active - such as requiring the seismic retrofit of soft story apartment buildings, and improving policies - to help ensure the private buildings that house our residents, businesses, and visitors continue to be safe. 

In partnership with the Mayor's Office, City Administrator's Office and Office of Resilience and Capital Planning, the Department of Building Inspection continues to actively participate in the evaluation and development of important seismic safety programs that began in the recovery phase from the Loma Prieta's impact and the City's  Earthquake Safety Improvement Program.

Since 1989, we've implemented various programs, including the Unreinforced Masonry Building program  and have had over 99% compliance by the affected property owners. In 2013 and 2014, respectively, we launched the Mandatory Soft Story and Private Schools Evaluation programs to target vulnerable residential buildings with soft story ground floors and require the evaluation of private school buildings for seismic vulnerabilities. With 98% compliance in terms of filed permits, and 65% completion compliance of the Mandatory Soft Story program - private property owners have invested about $250 million in retrofits so far, and will reach an estimated $385 million by the end of this program. More than 72,000 people are now living in retrofitted buildings in San Francisco, and about 111,000 will be at the program's completion in late 2020.

Over the last decade, we have worked to strengthen our existing and new building s today so they are much more likely to withstand the next earthquake. We cannot prevent an earthquake , nor prevent damage to our buildings, but we can ensure that our older buildings are retrofitted to help protect residents and reduce the potential damage  and disruption to our properties, and the people living in these buildings.  So let's learn from our recent history - and get ready now for the next Big One.

Sincerely,