Globally we see almost daily reports of human populations devastated by turbo-charged storms, political unrest, even nuclear plant meltdowns. That image of a dazed survivor, searching for names of missing or found persons on a list taped to some wall are deeply haunting.
Next year is the 50th anniversary of our own Great Quake. And only last September, wet weather and high winds toppled trees like thousand-pound toothpicks all over Anchorage.
Are we heeding the warnings? Are we ready? Or, are we naively counting on a 911 call for our rescue.
Three guests on Hometown Alaska this week will lay out the local disaster landscape. What help can you expect if Anchorage and Alaska were to experience a major disaster? How are you expected to be prepared? Is it more than having a three-day supply of food and water? Should you connect with neighbors now? How?
Please join me with your questions and concerns about disaster readiness, whether it’s in your own home, your neighborhood or your city and state.
GUESTS:
In the studio
- Kevin Spillers, director, Municipality’s Office of Emergency Management
- Mike Abbott, Anchorage School District COO, overseeing emergency preparedness
- Mark Mew, Police Chief, APD
LINKS:
- FEMA’s www.ready.gov
- Anchorage’s Emergency Operations Plan
- Municipality’s Office of Emergency Management
- September is National Preparedness Month (OEM press release)
- Contact number for Anchorage Office of Emergency Management, 343-1407
- Emergency Preparedness, how to prepare for specific disasters
- Starting an Emergency Neighborhood Watch program
- Alaska Family Readiness Program
- Family Emergency Kit
UPCOMING MUNI OEM WORKSHOPS:
All are Noon-1 p.m., BP Energy Center, 900 E. Benson Blvd.
- Sept. 6 Back to Preparedness Basics: Get a Kit, Make Plan, Be Informed, Get Involved
- Oct. 4 Preparing for the Zombie Apocalypse
- Nov. 8 Winter: Now always a wonderland
- Dec. 6 12 Days of Christmas: Great gift ideas for the preppers in your life
PARTICIPATE:
- Call 550-8433 (Anchorage) or 1-888-353-5752  (statewide) during the live broadcast (2:00 – 3:00pm)
- Send e-mail to hometown@alaskapublic.org before, during or after the live broadcast (e-mails may be read on air)
- Post your comment or question below (comments may be read on air)
HOST: Kathleen McCoy
LIVE BROADCAST: Wednesday, August 28, 2013. 2:00 – 3:00 pm (Alaska time)
REPEAT BROADCAST: Wednesday, August 28, 2013. 9:00 – 10:00 pm (Alaska time)
SUBSCRIBE: Get Hometown, Alaska updates automatically — via email, RSS or podcasts
 Audio will be posted following radio broadcast
