Understanding local government emergency powers

When you hear that the Mat-Su Borough has declared a state of emergency, it might sound alarming. After all, the word ‘emergency’ is in there. However, understanding what this actually means and why local governments have this power can calm your nerves and help you feel more informed about how your community responds to serious situations.

An emergency declaration is an announcement by a local government, usually the mayor, assembly, or council, that acknowledges an urgent situation requiring immediate action beyond normal government procedures. These situations might include natural disasters like earthquakes, floods, or wildfires. They could also involve public health crises, severe infrastructure failures, or other events that threaten public safety and require a coordinated response that goes beyond everyday government operations.

When the city or borough declares an emergency, several important things happen behind the scenes. First, it allows the borough to access special funding and resources that are not available during normal operations. However, it is crucial to understand that a local emergency declaration does not automatically mean the state or federal government will agree that the situation qualifies for their financial help. The declaration starts locally, but it may end there, too.

The State (Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management) and the Feds (Federal Emergency Management Agency) have their own criteria for what is an emergency worthy of their support. The borough must request more help from the state, and if approved, the state can then request federal help. Each level of government independently evaluates the situation with its own guidelines for emergency funding and support. When approved, disaster funding can cover emergency response efforts, public infrastructure repairs, and help for affected residents.

Emergency declarations also give local governments temporary authority to take actions they normally could not take without lengthy approval processes. The city might be able to spend money from emergency reserves without waiting for council approval, or the borough might waive user fees for the dump. Officials might temporarily suspend certain regulations that would slow recovery. These expanded powers are not unlimited, though. They must be directly related to addressing the emergency, and they expire after a set period unless renewed.

During a declared emergency, the Mat-Su Borough Emergency Operations Center may activate. This brings together representatives from different government departments, emergency services, and outside agencies and organizations to coordinate. Everyone works together from one location to share information and act quickly. This coordination helps make sure resources go where they are needed most and avoids duplicate efforts.

For residents, an emergency declaration means you should pay attention to information provided through local media, social media channels, and the borough website. You might receive emergency alerts on your phone. These communications will tell you about evacuation orders, shelter locations, road closures, or other important safety information. Following official guidance during declared emergencies is crucial for your safety and helps emergency responders do their jobs more effectively.

It is important to know that emergency declarations are not permanent. They have time limits and have to be renewed if the situation continues.

If you want to learn more about how Mat-Su Borough handles emergencies, visit the borough website at matsugov.us and look for the Emergency Management section. Understanding these processes before an emergency happens helps you know where to look for information quickly when urgent situations actually occur.

Christian M. Hartley is a 40-year Alaskan resident with over 25 years of public safety experience and public service. He runs a freelance business, Big Lake Writer, from home in Big Lake that he shares with his wife of 19 years and their three teenage sons.