Tsunami Response

Following the powerful earthquake in Japan, BAMRU was alerted at 0224 Saturday to help with Tsunami response on the San Mateo County coast.

A BAMRU team deployed with other San Mateo Units. Once coast side, BAMRU members patrolled from Pacifica south to Santa Cruz County. Duties included warning people on beaches, knocking on doors to warn residents, and providing EMT resources at an evacuation center.

Large parts of the coast have no cell coverage. While on patrol, BAMRU was able to use the Satellite Phone donated by Iridium to check in with command.

BAMRU provided resources for two operational periods. The San Mateo coast was spared major damage. About 1600 the all clear was sounded and all resources were home by 1700.

Today we watch the recovery efforts in Japan with respect, mindful of the huge scale of this event. And we are reminded that we too live in an earthquake zone.

More information:
Video Simulation of Tsunami Propagation
Photo of Tsunami approaching Emeryville inside San Francisco Bay
Video of Tsunami approaching Emeryville