05 Oct

DIY Preparedness Drill Saturday 10/11/25 10am – noon

This year we’re letting blocks decide how they want to practice what we’ve learned from Map Your Neighborhood and previous drills. If you haven’t already, you will likely receive instructions from your block leaders in the next week. The Drill activities within the Blocks can be decided by the individual blocks.

a neighborhood gathering site
Nob Hill Stairs Drill 2023

Some possible activities:

–You may use the 10am start to practice “Drop, Cover, Hold On” and then proceed to your Neighborhood Gathering Site (Please bring your MYN booklet)

–You may follow the initial Drop Cover Hold On with practicing the 9 steps of Map Your Neighborhood (which includes going to your Neighborhood Gathering Site).

–use the time to get to know new neighbors and update your contact lists and skills & equipment inventories

–follow the MYN response plan and form teams and walk your block looking for incidents posted on telephone poles (alternately, have envelopes with situations for your team to decide how best to respond.

–delve into a specific predetermined topic as a team (communications, disaster kits, planning for sheltering in place or evacuation, focus on special needs, or whatever you come up with that will strengthen your block in a disaster.

26 Sep

MWJN Disaster Drill 10/14/23

Our exercise focused on the Nine Steps of the Map Your Neighborhood program. MYN is based on knowing your neighbors, knowing who needs extra help and what collective resources your block has available to help ourselves in the first hour following a disaster. Find out more about MYN.

It was a fun time with our neighbors!

THE DRILL: Began at home: At 10am DROP, COVER, HOLD ON! Practice what to do in the first hour of a Disaster:

Grab your Walkie-Talkie Radio. Turn to Ch 5 – Listen to Network, call & give your status

Get your MYN booklet and follow the 9 Steps:

  1. Check your Household – Make sure everyone is safe.
  2. Dress for Safety – Put on sturdy shoes, a hardhat or helmet, and leather gloves
  3. Locate your Gas Meter – Know where it is and know how to turn it off if necessary (but DON’T turn it off for the drill)
  4. Locate your Water Shut-off Valve – Know where it is and know how to turn it off if necessary (but DON’T turn it off for the drill)
  5. Check that you have your HELP/OK sign with 2 band aids stapled in your MYN booklet
  6. Place your Fire Extinguisher on the Curb – Dial should be green, invert, and shake for 30 seconds
    before placing it in front of your house for neighbors to grab if needed for fire
  7. Go to your Block Gathering Site – Where is it? Follow your neighbors.
  8. Select a Block Drill Coordinator to organize teams based on the number of people and what each person prefers to do. Distribute vests, radios & tools. The Drill Coordinator may join one of the teams. Teams check the block for incidents.
  9. After Teams complete work, Return to Gathering Site to share results

During the last hour all blocks convened in the “5 Points” intersection for a debrief session for feedback on what worked and what didn’t. Ben reviewed all the incidents and all the correct responses. Pierre also demonstrated how to shut off gas. And we had pizza! An educational and tasty event!

04 Dec

Jessica Triangle Clean up – 12/11 11am – 1pm

Paula and Crew Weeding the Triangle
Beautification – Jessica Triangle

Support your neighborhood! The Triangle was created by and is maintained by neighbors in this area. Please come out to trim some dead branches (no weeds this time of year) and help with general cleanup. Bring gloves and any tools you prefer. Working with neighbors is a great preparedness activity.

We request 30 minutes of your time or a $10 donation. We’ll accept cash on the spot or you can donate here.

Find out more about MWJN Beautification.

31 Aug

Jessica Triangle Work Party Sunday 9/4/22

Jessica Triangle Work Party 2016
Jessica Triangle Work Party 2016

Jessica Triangle Work Party Sunday 9/4/22 8am – 10am

The Triangle is thirsty! Please come out to water, trim some dead branches, pull some weeds and help with general clean up. A neighbor kindly allows us to use his hose and water. Citywide, hand watering is allowed before 9am. Bring gloves and any tools you prefer. Its a nice way to meet some neighbors!

Jessica Triangle is the landmark at the intersection of Jessica Drive and Cleland Avenue. Beginning in the late 90′s, local residents helped transform the triangle from a litter-strewn patch of asphalt to a beautifully landscaped drought-tolerant pocket park, and neighbors have been maintaining it ever since. You can read about our involvement in maintaining it on our website.