Org Unit

Emergency Management (EOC)

The Mat-Su Borough EOC is currently activated at Type 3-A Incident Activation Level.

Mat-Su Borough has an Emergency Management team running a world class Emergency Operations Center (EOC). This team is responsible for all large scale planning, preparedness, response and recovery operations in the MSB. These duties include preparedness grants, preparedness activities and outreach to the community, as well as emergency telecommunications and E911, Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT), and the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC). A major portion of this responsibility is the staffing and operations of the Emergency Operations Center, and the training required for DES, MSB and partnering agency employees to be able to staff an efficient and professional EOC when needed. EOC operations includes, but is not limited to, mass notification, incident planning and coordination, logistics, finance, purchasing, documentation and liaising with partnering agencies throughout the MSB and the State. Major disaster recovery is also managed out of the EOC to include multiple state and federal open Presidentially declared disasters currently. This involves working as the recovery chair and collaborating with MSB project managers and internal customers, the State of Alaska, FEMA and other Federal agencies, to repair or rebuild schools, roads, bridges, etc., and all the required paperwork and programmatic needs in order to recover and receive reimbursements for those disaster projects. The EM team is also the first point of contact for individual MSB residents in dealing with disasters after being declared by the State.

The Emergency Manager is assisted by a skilled and dedicated team of 2 full time Emergency Telecom staff and 13 part time EOC Specialists, each with specific areas of expertise. It takes all of this hard-working team to keep our Borough functioning and providing essential services, even during times of widespread disaster.

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

Public Emergency Information

Emergency information provided by the Mat-Su Borough Emergency Management staff, including wildfire status, road closures due to flooding, shelters, and evacuation zones.

Office of Emergency Management

Matanuska-Susitna Borough Office of Emergency Management (MSB OEM) has the responsibility of preparing for, responding to, recovering from, and mitigating against large-scale emergencies and disasters that impact the Mat-Su Borough. MSB OEM works in partnership with first responders, private sector, Tribal, and government agencies to build community resiliency.

Emergency Operations Center

The Matanuska-Susitna Borough Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is a state-of-the-art facility designed to provide a centralized location for multi-agency coordination and facilitation of emergency disaster response and recovery efforts. While tactical efforts are conducted in the field from Incident Command Posts (ICP), the MSB EOC is typically activated during emergencies when resources exceed local capabilities or incidents are of longer durations, or when policy decisions need conducted or when a disaster declaration is declared.

Emergency Telecommunications

Matanuska-Susitna Borough EOC Telecoms is the communications branch of the Mat-Su Borough. The focus is to provide, maintain, enhance, and develop vital emergency communications to Mat-Su Borough Emergency Fire and EMS responders and personnel in support of day-to-day operations, emergency disasters, disaster mitigation, large-scale MSB events, and training. MSB EOC Telecoms is responsible for the radio communications infrastructure, site management, maintenance and expansion of communication services for Public Safety to include support of MSB Solid Waste, MSB Operations & Maintenance, MSB Animal Care and MSB Port operations.

PUBLIC INFORMATION ALERT & WARNING

Mat-Su Borough OEM provides public information, emergency alert and warning notifications to the public through phone, television and internet services. Notifications may include type of hazard followed by guidance and direction before, during and after incidents occur. Notifications are provided to the public without having to register for the services.

OPERATIONS

TYPES OF DISASTER INCIDENTS THAT CAN OCCUR IN THE MAT-SU BOROUGH

Avalanches

Cyber-security Attacks

Earthquakes Erosions/Floods/Landslides

Extreme Weather Events

Hazardous Materials Incidents

Pandemics

Power Outages/Energy Shortages

Terrorism/WMD Incidents

Transportation Accidents

Tsunamies

Volcanic Eruptions

Wildfires

PLANNING

SITUATIONAL AWARENESS

Vine road destruction after 2018 Earthquake

During emergency incidents, MSB OEM provides situational reports to community stakeholders. These situational reports include status of community lifelines. Community lifelines are critical government and business functions that are essential to human health, safety and security. They may include but not limited to the energy power grid, water systems, communications infrastructure, health and medical facilities, agriculture, supply chain and transportation infrastructure, and safety and security services.

EMERGENCY PLANS

Mat-Su Borough OEM develops and maintains emergency plans related to preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation efforts. These plans are updated on a regular basis and include the following:

Emergency Operations Plans (EOP)- Used in preparedness efforts to facilitate what the Borough will do for a disaster. These plans identify the overall authority, roles and functions. Incident

Action Plans (IAP)- Created after an event has occurred. These plans identify the objectives and tactics (what and how) the Borough will do to respond to a disaster once an event has occurred. These plans prioritize life safety, protection of property and protection of the environment.

Continuity of Operations Plans (COOP)- Created to identify how the Borough will maintain its day-to-day operations in the event an incident effects the location(s) of Borough facilities and/or staff.

Threat and Hazard Identification & Risk Assessment (THIRA)- Is a risk assessment analysis conducted to identify potential risks the Mat-Su Borough may face, measure Mat-Su Borough's capabilities to respond to these risks, identify potential gaps in capabilities and identify means to close these potential gaps. These assessments are used to facilitate mitigation practices.

Memorandums of Understanding/Memorandums of Agreement (MOU/MOA)- Written agreed upon partnerships between the Mat-Su Borough and community stakeholders to build community resiliency during the disaster recovery process.

LOGISTICS

MEDICAL COUNTERMEASURES (MCM)

Medical Countermeasures are products used in public health emergencies resulting from terrorist attacks with a biological, chemical or radiological material or a naturally occurring disease. These products are used in preventing, mitigating and or treating adverse health effects and are critical in minimizing mortality in large-scale public health emergencies.

POINTS OF DISTRIBUTION (PODS) & COMMODITIES POINTS OF DISTRIBUTION (C-PODS)

Mat-Su Borough coordinates with the State of Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) in developing plans for managing and dispensing the Strategic National Stockpile in accordance with the United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance.

RECOVERY

DISASTER DECLARATIONS

Because disasters occur locally and the effects of these disasters impact local communities, the responsibility to respond and recover to these disasters lies with the Mat-Su Borough. Because of this we say disasters begin and end locally. The advantage is the local communities, and the Mat-Su Borough are familiar with its own geography, social and economic needs of its residents. When the Mat-Su Borough exceeds its capabilities, a disaster declaration can be submitted to the state and federal government to request additional support and resources. If the request is approved and additional support and resources are provided, Mat-Su Borough maintains control of these resources provided in the response and recovery efforts until a sense of normalcy can be restored to the community.

PREPAREDNESS

Nature is always ready. Are you?

Prepare today by visiting our ReadyReady page. As you explore our Ready page, you'll find resources to help you, your family and your business be prepared for, recover from and mitigate against emergency disaster incidents.

You can get involved and serve your community. Receive free trainingtraining and volunteer with CERT today!

Skyline during Sockeye Fire