State Planning Emergency Shelter and Food Stockpile

Contingency plans in case Alaska’s supply line to Lower 48 is cut off

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By Heather Hintze
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Story Created: Aug 30, 2012 at 8:58 AM AKDT

Story Updated: Sep 1, 2012 at 9:34 AM AKDT

ANCHORAGE - The State of Alaska has plans in the works for an emergency shelter in case a major natural disaster hits our state. The goal is to make Alaska as self-sufficient as possible in case the state gets cut off from supplies from the Lower 48.

"It's 1,500 miles from Anchorage to Seattle. That's a long time and a long ways if we are reliant along that supply line, and we can't land aircraft of dock boats then we're not serving the people," said John Madden, Director of Homeland Security for the State of Alaska.

It requested private companies come up with proposals. That doesn't necessarily mean drawing up construction plans for a new warehouse, but rather the state would like to see companies use innovative ideas like using existing facilities around Anchorage or Fairbanks.

"We want to make sure we can rapidly stabilize, that we can provide power to the essential infrastructure, that we have communication so we can reach not only around the state but to the Lower 48," said Madden.

One of the biggest concerns in the case of a disaster is food. The state wants the shelter to have enough to feed 40,000 people for one week and cover all nutritional needs for everyone from infants to seniors. The company that wins the bid would be allotted $4 million in state money to not only purchase the food but also to handle the way it's stored and rotated.

"We have a distribution [plan], one in Anchorage, one in Fairbanks, so we can take care of the entire state. We want to make sure it's accessible, that the inventory is rotated through and it has easy access so we can move quickly and get goods out of it," said Madden.

Water, of course, is another essential. Bottled water is heavy and hard to get to remote locations. That's why the state has a number of portable purification units that can produce hundreds of gallons of fresh water every day.

"One of the things about Alaska is we have plenty of small streams, lakes and rivers that we can pull water from. We can purify it and give it to the people in need," said Jeremy Zidek, a Homeland Security Public Information Officer.

Madden says it's also residents' responsibility to be prepared as well. He says every home should have a stockpile of food and water for one week just in case.

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Anonymous said on Saturday, Sep 1 at 11:28 AM

which 48 thousand people?

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darrell said on Saturday, Sep 1 at 5:00 PM

Juneau?? LOL

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Rhonda said on Saturday, Sep 1 at 5:08 PM

Alaska has a large contingent of Preppers or those who prepare for such a thing as this. We are on alert as is our communitys and Churches. LOL all you want but we still know how to hunt, Can, Garden and put food stores by up here! These supplys will be for those who are still not awake!

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Grasshopper said on Saturday, Sep 1 at 8:55 PM

The Ants still have to feed the grasshoppers here, figures.

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lynn said on Sunday, Sep 2 at 11:00 AM

There is 750,000 people here. They will need food for at least 700,000 because very few are preparing adequately. Also just a week is not realistic. It could be weeks or even much longer for barge traffic to resume. It's not a disaster in Alaska that is the biggest danger. It is anything either socially, economically or geologic that shuts down the rickety petroleum dependent food supply and shipment system.

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notadahl said on Sunday, Sep 2 at 5:57 PM

I think Seanyboy is trying to create a problem where there is none. He is trying to make himself important and this is the only way he thinks can put him back on top! Sad really.

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steve said on Sunday, Sep 2 at 9:46 PM

the plan is good if you live in anchorage. what about those people who live small towns like moose pass or anchor point.none of the food would ever reach them. The local fire departments should have conexes with freeze dryed food and supplys of clean water. They know the locals and are trusted to be there in times of real need. not to include the local first responders just shows that this is a feel good move not a real program.what a waste of 4 mil.

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Anonymous said on Monday, Sep 3 at 12:50 PM

we have military bases - we have soldiers - we have those that are retired - just out - getting out - and the problem will be what again? for the citizens one can hope when it hits the fan and an emergency occurs we got the elders directing the younger ones and the foods and shelters are done. We can hunt - fish - gather wood - water - rock - and survive better than most states...didn't they have a program back in the WWII days of being self sufficient and everyone grew a garden? recycled everything? it was depressing but not fatal...hard lessons learned that lasts a lifetime! time to pass it on...would be appreciated...

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haha said on Monday, Sep 3 at 12:56 PM

May be Seanny boy is part of that paranoid pack of peoples who think Alaska should separate from the USA? Yikes...don't think the military bases would go for that... People that grew up here know we all are independently owned and operated...need help? OK. Done yet? lol...bye take care...we like it that way and abide by the laws...this crackerjack is up to no good when he tries to act like he cares now? those judges aren't too nice are they Seanny boy...can't weasel out of it with this...I say send it to the military bases...hire veterans and run it concurrently with the base...save 4 million $$$ cough...cough...yeah Seanny boy has no comment...

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Anonymous said on Monday, Sep 3 at 6:03 PM

yeah I heard about them folks...lol...country skich! anyways what is the purpose in that again? may be I am too old school, but the youngins buzzing around to protect us was officiated by law or military... not a militia that seems to be run from Juneau today? we don't need that young man! so may be you should resign before you get in legal hot water for the nature of your associations...old-school advice young man...

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Anonymous said on Wednesday, Sep 5 at 8:59 AM

misappropriation of funds is what Seanny Boy is doing...and seems to be good at from what I hear in the valley - something about Ritcher Investments - he help Grifter Sarah with money laundering to an offshore account...gee...isn't THAT familiar - Romney

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AKmiss said on Friday, Sep 7 at 11:37 AM

It never hurts to have a supply of food and water back for emergencies. If you learn from Katrina, or any other disaster, those who are prepared will be better off and not worry about taking care of themselves and their families. Disaster has hit here before, and will in the future. No doubt about it. I would rather be prepared by stocking all needed for everyday life, including medicines everyday things like toilet paper to food or their pets. I would rather be prepared and rotate stocked food than worry about where my next meal will come from.

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