Get Ready Alaska: UAA Emergency Management with John Huffman

As a vital hub within Southcentral Alaska, the University of Alaska Anchorage plays a critical role in regional emergency response. This episode of "Get Ready Alaska" features UAA Director of Emergency Management, John Huffman, who will delve into the university's proactive approach to disaster preparedness. We'll explore how UAA safeguards its diverse campus community, ensures effective communication during crises, and contributes to the broader community's resilience in the face of emergencies.

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Get Ready Alaska – Emergency Management in Guam with Stephen Cahill

The U.S. territory of Guam is often seen as a tropical paradise, with its warm climate, stunning landscapes, and welcoming community. However, the island is also vulnerable to powerful typhoons and potentially devastating tsunamis.

In this episode of Get Ready Alaska, we’re joined by Stephen Cahill, Tsunami Program Manager at the Guam Homeland Security/Office of Civil Defense. Stephen discusses the unique challenges of emergency management on the island, Guam’s most significant natural hazards, and the vital steps residents take to prepare for and respond to disasters.

Tune in to Get Ready Alaska on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon/Audible, or Podbean to learn more about how APIP is building resilience and preparing Alaska for future disaster events.

For comprehensive emergency preparedness information, visit www.ready.alaska.gov.

Get Ready Alaska – Featuring Ben Hartlieb on Building Infrastructure Resilience

In this episode of Get Ready Alaska, we welcome Ben Hartlieb, Co-Chair of the Alaska Partnership for Infrastructure Protection (APIP), to discuss how Alaska is proactively strengthening its infrastructure and businesses against future disasters.

APIP is a collaborative public-private initiative that brings together government emergency management agencies and private sector stakeholders. APIP recognize that private industries play a crucial role in disaster recovery by restoring essential goods, services, and employment. APIP aims to identify shared vulnerabilities and develop solutions before disasters strike. This foresight ensures a more rapid restoration of services when emergencies occur.

APIP focuses on:

• Resource identification and sharing
• Information management
• Infrastructure sector analysis to address vulnerabilities and interdependencies
• Enhancing awareness of physical and cyber threats
• Strengthening individual business response capabilities
• Facilitating joint exercises and training

Tune in to Get Ready Alaska on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon/Audible, or Podbean to learn more about how APIP is building resilience and preparing Alaska for future disaster events.

For comprehensive emergency preparedness information, visit www.ready.alaska.gov.

Get Ready Alaska – Alaska Qualification System with DHS&EM’s Jonathan Nicoles

The Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHS&EM) Training Section is launching a statewide Emergency Management Qualification System. This system is designed to help emergency managers identify and document the skills and experience needed to fulfill roles within the Incident Command System (ICS).

Jonathan Nicoles from DHS&EM joins Get Ready Alaska to explain the purpose behind the new program, how individuals can get involved, and what the process looks like once a task book is completed.

You can listen to Get Ready Alaska on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon/Audible, and Podbean.

Get Ready Alaska – Riverwatch with Jen Wallace (DHS&EM) and Kyle Van Peursem (APRFC)

Each spring, the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHS&EM) partners with the Alaska-Pacific River Forecast Center (APRFC) for the Riverwatch Program. This collaborative effort monitors Alaska’s rivers—particularly the Yukon, Kuskokwim, and other waterways prone to ice jams—during the spring breakup season.

Riverwatch teams take to the skies to observe the breakup front in real-time, providing critical updates to riverine communities at risk of flooding.

In this episode of Get Ready Alaska, Kyle Van Peursem from the APRFC and Jen Wallace from DHS&EM join us to share insights about the Riverwatch Program, the risks posed by ice jam flooding, and what this year’s breakup forecast means for Alaskans.

Tune in to the Get Ready Alaska Podcast on popular platforms such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, and Podbean.

Get Ready Alaska – Alaska Volcano Observatory with Kristi Wallace and David Schneider

Alaska is home to numerous active volcanoes, making volcanic monitoring and research essential for public safety. The Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) plays a crucial role in tracking volcanic activity, studying both past and present eruptions, and issuing alerts when volcanic events pose risks to communities and transportation systems. In this episode of Get Ready Alaska, AVO experts Kristi Wallace and David Schneider discuss the methods used to monitor and study volcanoes, the potential impacts of eruptions, and how the public can stay informed about volcanic activity. Additionally, they provide insight into the recent activity at Mount Spurr and explore the possible consequences of an eruption on Southcentral Alaska.

Tune in to the Get Ready Alaska Podcast on popular platforms such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, and Podbean.

Get Ready Alaska - Part 2: Emergency Management Assistance Compact with Andrew Jen Wallace and Dave Reilly

When disaster strikes, affected states can call on neighboring states for help through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC). This mutual aid agreement enables all 50 U.S. states and territories to request and provide disaster-related support.

In the wake of Hurricane Helene, several DHS&EM staff members were deployed to North Carolina to assist. Part two of this two-part series explores the critical work done by DHS&EM’s Jen Wallace, Dave Reilly and other DHS&EM staff, who helped run a massive distribution center in a hard-hit North Carolina county.

Tune in to Get Ready Alaska on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Audible/Amazon, Google Podcasts, and Podbean.

Get Ready Alaska - Part 1: Emergency Management Assistance Compact with Andrew Sather & Jonathan Nichols

When disaster strikes, affected states can call on neighboring states for help through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC). This mutual aid agreement enables all 50 U.S. states and territories to request and provide disaster-related support.

In the wake of Hurricane Helene, several DHS&EM staff members were deployed to North Carolina to assist. Part one of this two-part series explores the critical work done by DHS&EM’s Andrew Sather and Jonathan Nichols, who supported North Carolina’s Emergency Management Agency in organizing and coordinating the state's EMAC process.

Tune in to Get Ready Alaska on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Audible/Amazon, Google Podcasts, and Podbean.