Are You Prepared?

When things go bad, it usually happens fast. “I remember a time when my nephew and I were riding four-wheelers at Jim Creek and I was feeling really cocky and confident,” recalled Jason Brown. “I planned to zoom in on my wheeler in front of this group of people and just show off,” he said. “Instead I hit what I thought was going to be mud that would just let us spin around but it proved to be wet sand and my machine flipped and threw my nephew off and then landed on him.” In an instant, their day of play turned into a fight for survival.

“I was horrified because I thought I’d killed my nephew. And worst, I was not prepared to manage this situation at all.” Brown says today he rides much differently. “I still love the thrill of riding but I’ve learned it requires special skills and the right equipment and gear to do it safely.”

Kelly and Chris Clingman faced a similar life threatening situation one fall on a hunting trip. “We had been hunting for several days with no luck so we decided to move our camp to another location on this mountain. Because it was in a steep area, we wanted to scout around first.”

They made the tragic mistake of leaving their packs behind to make hiking easier. That decision nearly cost their lives when Chris fell while descending a particularly exposed, steep area. He broke his pelvis and leg and they had no emergency gear, no rope, and no shelter to protect them from the elements. “We realized that leaving our packs with survival gear behind was a really foolish mistake. Fortunately I found help and we survived, but without what we can only describe as divine intervention, we would have died on that mountain. Now we make sure we are always well prepared and think ahead before we set out.”

Robert and Penny Albright did go prepared on their hunting trip off the Denali Highway. When the weather turned into a raging blizzard, they were able to hunker down and wait out the storm. “It was uncomfortable and scary,” recalled Penny, “but we had everything we needed and just stayed put until the storm passed and we were able to get out of there.” When they were able to continue on, they passed a crude, make-shift cross alongside the trail and realized, this was a stark reminder that being prepared can make all the difference between making it back home safely and the end of your story.

September is National Emergency Preparedness Month and a great time to check your gear. Do you have what it takes to survive an emergency or disaster? Whether you are home when an earthquake, wildfire or flood strikes or out adventuring, there are critical items you should have on hand including a plan, temporary shelter, water, food, medical supplies, multi-tool, and extra clothing. But there are far more things that can make the difference between survival and demise.

The Mat-Su Borough Emergency Services, American Red Cross, Alaska Safe Riders, Local Emergency Planning Committee and the City of Wasilla, along with more than 75 other exhibitors, will once again host the Mat-Su Emergency Preparedness Expo at the Menard Sports Center on Saturday, September 28, 2024 from 10 am to 3 pm.

This 16th annual event is completely free thanks to support from AARP Alaska, the Mat-Su Health Foundation, the Mat-Valley Federal Credit Union and dozens of local businesses and organizations.

This is a family-friendly event with a host of live demonstrations, workshops, hands-on activities and games all designed to help you and your family and friends make a plan and get prepared for a wide range of potential emergencies and disasters.

In addition, the event includes a poster contest to help children express what being prepared means to them. All entries receive a McDonald’s ice cream and a chance to earn a three-day emergency pack from the American Red Cross, a cash gift card thanks to the Mat-Valley Federal Credit Union, and a community service award presented by the Mat-Su Borough assembly and Mayor.

Other featured exhibits include a free boat check thanks to the Coast Guard Auxiliary, a Prepared for the Backcountry workshop presented by Alaska Safe Riders, children’s story time by the Bright Lights Book Project, Earthquakes in Alaska presented by the Alaska Earthquake Center and more. You can get the full schedule at https://ready.matsugov.us

This fall, take the time to get yourself, your family, and friends prepared so that you will be resilient in times of emergencies and disasters.