Emergency Preparedness

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EMERGENCY AND DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

Disasters can happen anytime or anywhere. And when a disaster strikes, you may not have much time to respond. A highway spill of hazardous materials could mean instant evacuation. A winter storm could confine your family at home. An earthquake, flood, tornado or any other disaster could cut off basic services - gas, water, electricity and telephone - for days.

The Municipality is prepared to respond to these disasters. The Municipality maintains an all-hazards plan, which continues to be refined through exercises and actual events.

But what about your family? Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so it is important to plan in advance how you will contact one another; how you will get back together; and what you will do in different situations.

Family Emergency Plan

It may be easier to make a long-distance phone call than to call across town, so an out-of-town contact may be in a better position to communicate among separated family members.

Be sure every member of your family knows the phone number and has coins or a prepaid phone card to call the emergency contact.

You may have trouble getting through, or the telephone system may be down altogether, but be patient.

Emergency Information

Methods of getting your attention vary from community to community. One common method is to broadcast via emergency radio and TV broadcasts. You might hear a special siren, or get a telephone call, or emergency workers may go door-to-door. Be sure you have a battery-operated radio in case the power goes out.

Emergency Plans

You may also want to inquire about emergency plans at places where your family spends time: work, daycare and school. If no plans exist, consider volunteering to help create one. Talk to your neighbors about how you can work together in the event of an emergency. You will be better prepared to safely reunite your family and loved ones during an emergency if you think ahead and communicate with others in advance.

If you or someone within your family has special needs, a disability, or is a vulnerable senior, you may want to visit our section on vulnerable populations for special information.

The US Department of Homeland Security sponsors a website with lots of great preparedness information. If you need additional information or assitance contact us at 343-1401 or email us. Your question(s) will be addressed as quickly as possible.

632 W. 6th Avenue Anchorage, Alaska 99501
PO Box 196650 Anchorage, Alaska 99519
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