Mat-Su Local Emergency Planning Committee

 

 

Mat-Su LEPC Plan focus: ALL HAZARDS

 

The Mat-Su LEPC is committed to the safety of our communities by ensuring proper resources and planning for emergencies.

Communities Served (but not limited to):

The district served by the Mat-Su LEPC encompasses the incorporated communities of Houston, Palmer, and Wasilla, as well as the Borough's many rural unincorporated communities, including Alexander Creek, Big Lake, Butte, Chase, Chickaloon, Knik, Lazy Mountain, Meadow Lakes, Skwentna, Sunshine, Sutton, Talkeetna, Trapper Creek, and Willow.

Hazards Analysis:

MODERATE RISK. The district’s widely scattered population and large area limit the number of people potentially affected by an incident, but increases response difficulty. The borough and cities each have some limited, full-time, emergency response resources. Several communities have volunteer fire and ambulance services. Disaster emergency responses are usually coordinated on an area-wide basis by the borough’s Public Safety Director. Outside assistance may be needed to respond to a major disaster. Wildland/urban interface fires can be a threat in most areas of the Borough. Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and floods and other severe weather events can affect the entire district. Commercial airlines serve the nearby Anchorage International Airport and the Palmer municipal airport supports private and chartered services. The Alaska Railroad connects the district to Anchorage, Seward or Whittier for ocean freight delivery. Ammonia and chlorine are routinely transported to and through the borough by truck, and formaldehyde is shipped through by rail to Fairbanks. Also, given the mining industry’s need for certain "extremely hazardous substances", other chemicals may occasionally transit the district by rail or truck bound for interior Alaska and Canada.