Disaster days: Eagle River Community prepares for worst-case scenarios

EAGLE RIVER — A two-day disaster preparedness event is set for May 13-14 from 10 a.m–2 p.m. at Community Covenant Church, located 16123 Artillery Rd. in Eagle River.

The event is free and open to the public. According to event coordinators, it is a chance for the community to come together and talk about emergency preparedness, speak to knowledgeable people, gather resources, and participate in safety activities. Prize giveaways also are planned.

Activities like the earthquake simulator will give attendees a controlled simulation of experiencing earthquakes on scales from small to giant shakes.

Visitors will step inside a replica of a room of a house and sit in chairs with seatbelts. Once the switch is flipped, the entire room shakes. Books fall off shelves, tables fall over – all in a safe controlled environment. After the quakes, instructors will go over how to quake-proof your home to prevent damage or serious injury.

Disaster preparedness sponsors and activities include:

The Municipality of Anchorage, LifeMed Alaska, Blood drive signups by the Blood Bank of Alaska, The American Red Cross, The Earthquake Cottage by the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, A fire truck visit from Anchorage Fire Department Station 11, friendly spirit provided by mascot, Perry the Preparedness Penguin from the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Emergency Management Flight.

Registration for the May 14 LIFEmoblie blood drive can also be filled out online at: https://donate.bloodbankofalaska.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/36229. Blood drive donors may be as young as 16 years old and may participate with parental consent.