When Every Second Counts: How Alaskans Get Emergency Alerts

Panelists: Nancy Durham, Fairbanks North Star Borough; Aviva Braun, National Weather Service; Dave Snider, National Tsunami Warning Center; Mark Roberts, AK State Emergency Operations Center; Dennis Bookey, AK State Emergency Communications Committee

Emergencies can strike quickly in Alaska, from severe weather and wildfires to floods and tsunamis. Recent events, such as ex-typhoon Halong and last summer’s catastrophic Texas floods, have brought renewed attention to the importance of alerts, particularly in rural and geographically isolated areas, where reaching people can be difficult. Staying informed through timely alerts is critical, but many Alaskans have questions about how to sign up, where alerts come from, and how to know which sources to trust. Join ACCAP and a panel of experts from local, state, and federal agencies to learn how alerts are issued, how to access them, and what’s being done to keep Alaskans informed and safe.