Getting ready for disaster

May 27, 2007

By Amie Pappas

Frontiersman

MAT-SU - It's not a matter of if it's going to happen, but when.

It could be an earthquake, floods, a bird flu pandemic or terrorism. Experience and example are revving up emergency preparedness in the Mat-Su Borough.

&#8220By all measurements, we are really ahead of the power curve,” said Dennis Brodigan, director of Emergency Services for the borough. He said that in Alaska and national terms, the borough has a comprehensive system, especially for the area's size and population.

In 1996, the Millers Reach fire sped up initial organizational changes, with the creation of an overall plan for disaster preparedness.

But after 9-11 and Hurricane Katrina, federal Homeland Security mandates increased the need for agency fusion.

&#8220It has significantly increased the amount of work at the local level,” Brodigan said.

A new initiative provides for every possibility.

&#8220It was ‘Disaster Planning,' but now it's ‘All Hazards Planning' because it includes terrorist attacks, and other man-made distress, as well as whatever Mother Nature can throw at us,” Brodigan said.

Steps are taken in hazard identification, including vulnerability and probability. Each scenario is given a score. Earthquakes and flooding rank high-risk in populated areas, while other threats, like avalanches, are low.

Brodigan said preparation is the most time-consuming aspect of All Hazards Planning. Other elements include response and mitigation.

The reason, in part, is the National Incident Management System instituted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

&#8220You're going to hear about NIMS a lot,” Brodigan said. &#8220They have created national mandates, which means locally we've got to meet all the criterion in our jurisdiction or we will not be eligible for FEMA funds after a disaster.”

According to the Department of Homeland Security Web site, NIMS was developed &#8220So responders from different jurisdictions and disciplines can work together better to respond to natural disasters and emergencies, including acts of terrorism.”

&#8220There is an old saying in our business that all disasters are local,” Brodigan said. &#8220It's local accountability to make sure we're ready for a disaster - not FEMA's.”

Because of the borough's size, creating a plan for all areas, all the time, for every hazard is a tough job. But Brodigan is confident in ongoing efforts.

The incident management system requires field personnel to have all training courses completed by December 2007.

In the most recent exercise, representatives of 50 agencies participated in a table-top scenario of a train explosion.

&#8220The goal is to learn what each agency's responsibilities are, how we interact and communicate, and how we take care of the situation on a local and state level,” Brodigan said.

If Brodigan calls an emergency, a representative of each agency goes to the command center where the whole team can work together to use emergency services the best way possible.

The management team is made up of four main elements - command, operations planning, logistics and finance.

While the borough is doing what it can to be as prepared as possible, individuals should be ready, too, Brodigan said.

&#8220Again, disasters are local.” he said. &#8220Especially up here in Alaska, we want people to be as self-reliant as possible.”

The Homeland Security Family Disaster Plan recommends having at least 72 hours of supplies on hand. In that three-day period, emergency personnel may not be accessible.

There may be no water, heat, electricity or phones available. Each family member needs 1 gallon of water per day. Individuals need food that won't spoil, a change of clothes, including footwear, a first aid kit and prescription medications. Dust masks and tools like a flashlight and a battery or crank-operated radio are helpful.

Keep cash or traveler's checks on hand and keep important documents in a waterproof container. Families should have two possible meeting places, one right outside the home, for events such as a fire, and another location, if getting home is not possible. A family contact should be established that is not local.

Preparations should be made for pets and people with special needs.

Awareness of what can happen is important. Different disasters call for different actions.

More information can be found on the FEMA, state of Alaska and Mat-Su Borough Web sites.

Contact Amie Pappas at

352-2284 or amie.pappas@

frontiersman.com.