ITEM TITLE:
Proclamation: Emergency Preparedness Month
SUBMITTED BY: Bart Hinkle, Chief of Police
FISCAL NOTES:
Expenditure Required: N/A
Unencumbered Balance: N/A
Funding Source: N/A
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve Proclamation
SUMMARY STATEMENT:
September is National Preparedness Month, with FEMA announcing the 2023 theme as “Take Control 1, 2, 3” - campaign focused on preparing older adults for all-hazard events.
In furtherance of the ongoing mission of the Emergency and Disaster Management Department, Emergency Manager Baczuk continues to work on various initiatives, campaigns, and programs - such as:
• Maintaining a robust Emergency and Disaster Management website (<https://www.valdezak.gov/294/Emergency-and-Disaster-Management>) that offers education and preparedness resources
• Installing tsunami information signage with translations into numerous languages
• Developing mass shelter policies, procedures, supplies, and organization
• Collaborating with the State of Alaska DGGS regarding completing contemporary geological mapping of avalanche and above/below water landslide hazards in the City limits, Valdez Glacier and lake, and Valdez Port
• Planning for AlaskEx2024 Earthquake/tsunami full-scale exercise
• Upgrading the tsunami warning siren, IPAWS and bolstering Everbridge (Valdez ALERTS)
• Developing a voluntary functional needs population registry