NCJ Number
190564
Date Published
1994
Length
31 pages
Annotation
This document is a plan describing emergency management tasks in disasters that affect the State of Alaska
Abstract
Due to the extreme variances that exist with respect to climate, terrain, and economics, the distinct features of six different regions must be considered in preparing emergency plans. These six areas are the Southeast, Southcentral, Southwest, Western, Interior, and Arctic regions. Alaska’s Disaster Index shows an increasing potential for disaster emergencies. Naturally occurring events have caused nearly two-thirds of the disaster emergencies. The three categorical hazards confronting the State are attack, natural hazards, and technological hazards. Basic responsibility for emergency planning and disaster response lies with individuals and heads of households. If they cannot respond effectively, local chief executives will take charge of local actions to protect lives, property, and resources. If local capabilities are exceeded the local chief executive may ask for a gubernatorial declaration and State assistance. The Governor then has the ability to ask for Federal aid. Emergency operations are conducted in three phases: pre-emergency, disaster emergency, and recovery. Pre-emergency activities include initial assessment, alert notification, and mitigation. During the disaster emergency phase, State agencies will support local responders by providing warnings and emergency public information of a statewide or multiple locality nature. A Level One response provides technical assistance on an “on-call” basis and provides personnel for short-term assignments in impact areas. A Level Two response is reserved for catastrophic events. The Recovery phase deals with the basic human needs of the public, repair of damages to public and private property, and the environmental transitions from emergency sheltering and care of victims to temporary housing. Significant activities common to disaster emergencies are grouped according to emergency management functions. 2 figures