AGENCY
Department of Emergency Management
DEM manages San Francisco's everyday and not-so-everyday emergencies. DEM also helps everyone in San Francisco know how to prepare for emergencies, and what to do to be safe during one.
AGENCY
Department of Emergency Management
DEM manages San Francisco's everyday and not-so-everyday emergencies. DEM also helps everyone in San Francisco know how to prepare for emergencies, and what to do to be safe during one.
Prepare for disasters at sf.gov/ReadySF
The place to find everything you need to know before, during, and after an emergency. Stay ready, so you don’t have to get ready.ReadySFNews
See all newsMayor Lurie Outlines Preparations to Keep San Franciscans and Visitors Safe During Super Bowl LX Week
Mayor Lurie Launches Breaking The Cycle Fund To Deliver Transformation Of City's Behavioral Health and Homelessness Response
Press release
Mayor Lurie Participates in Emergency Preparedness Exercise, Demonstrates Innovative Firefighting Technology
Services
Call 911 to get help in an emergency
When you call 911, stay on the line. Tell us your address, cross street, and what’s happening.
Get the public record of a 911 call
Request the transcript, recording, and records related to a 911 call in San Francisco.
Work at San Francisco 911
Apply today to start a rewarding career as a 911 dispatcher!
DEM Annual Report
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.Watch DEM's Annual ReportResources
Become a dispatcher
Personal preparedness
How to get ready for emergencies in San Francisco
Sign up for AlertSF
The best way to start is to sign up for AlertSF. Get emergency information about the areas you want to know about, like your home, workplace, and schools.
Make the Right Call for the Right Help
911 is for police, fire, and medical emergencies, 311 is for City services, information, and non-emergencies.
Extreme Weather Resilience Program
Program aims to strengthen citywide resilience by equipping community-serving organizations to maintain service during times of extreme weather.
Emergency Preparedness from ReadySF
The place to find everything you need to know before, during, and after an emergency.
For organizations
San Francisco Emergency Plans
As part of its emergency management program, Department of Emergency Management maintains a number of City-wide emergency plans to ensure that the City is ready to respond to a variety of threats and hazards.
DEM Watch Center and Emergency Operations Center
DEM's emergency operations monitor city events and manage emergency resources to match the scale of the incident.
Grants Management through the Bay Area UASI
Bay Area emergency preparedness grants help regional capacity to prevent, prevent, and respond to emergencies.
Request a presentation from DEM staff
Request a short presentation on disaster preparedness from the Department of Emergency Management.
DEM Senior Leader Speaker Request
Request a Senior Leader from the Department of Emergency Management to speak at a conference, symposium, or panel.
DEM Meeting Request
San Francisco Department of Emergency Management (SF DEM) staff are available to meet with peer organizations to share best practices and lessons learned.
Required Posting
Digital Accessibility and Inclusion Standard
The Department of Emergency Management (DEM) wants everyone to be able to use this website easily.
We follow rules for accessibility (WCAG 2.1, Level AA) and language access (San Francisco Language Access Ordinance).
FEMA Civil Rights Policy
The San Francisco Department of Emergency Management complies with Federal civil rights laws and is committed to providing its programs and services without discrimination. It is against the law for the San Francisco Department of Emergency Management to retaliate against anyone who takes action to oppose discrimination, files a grievance, or participates in the investigation of a grievance in accordance with the authorities.
Surveillance Technology Policy - Security Cameras
The City and County of San Francisco values privacy and protection of San Francisco residents’ civil rights and civil liberties. As required by San Francisco Administrative Code, Section 19B, the Surveillance Technology Policy aims to ensure the responsible use of Department’s Security Camera System itself as well as any associated data, and the protection of City and County of San Francisco residents’ civil rights and liberties.
Annual Surveillance Report Inventory
This inventory shows all completed Annual Surveillance Reports for Board of Supervisors-approved policies. For each technology which receives Board of Supervisor approval, City departments are required to complete an Annual Surveillance Report every year after the date of approval. The reports on this page are listed in alphabetical order.
Surveillance Technology Policy - Gunshot Detection Hardware & Services
The City and County of San Francisco values privacy and protection of San Francisco residents' civil rights and civil liberties. As required by San Francisco Administrative Code, Section 19B, the Surveillance Technology Policy aims to ensure the responsible use of gunshot detection hardware and services as well as any associated data, and the protection of City and County of San Francisco residents' civil rights and liberties.
About
The San Francisco Department of Emergency Management (DEM) leads the City in planning, preparedness, communication, response, and recovery for daily emergencies, large scale citywide events, and major disasters. In charge of the city's 911 dispatch center and large-scale emergency operations, DEM is the vital link in emergency communication between the public and first responders, and provides key coordination and leadership to City departments, stakeholders, residents, and visitors.
Learn more about usDivisions
Partner agencies
Leadership
Mary Ellen CarrollExecutive Director
Doris PadillaDeputy DirectorDivision of Emergency Services
Adrienne BechelliDeputy DirectorSan Francisco Department of Emergency Management
Andrew Holcomb(he/him)EMS DirectorEmergency Medical Services Agency
Robert SmutsDeputy DirectorDivision of Emergency CommunicationsContact information
Address
1011 Turk Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
San Francisco, CA 94102