Legislature(2025 - 2026)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
05/15/2025 01:30 PM Senate COMMUNITY & REGIONAL AFFAIRS
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB58 | |
| HB26 | |
| SB143 | |
| SB185 | |
| SB192 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 58 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 185 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 26 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 143 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 192 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SB 192-EVACUATION DESIGNATION LEVELS
2:15:28 PM
CHAIR MERRICK announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 192
"An Act relating to evacuation designation levels; and relating
to the Alaska Disaster Act."
2:15:45 PM
SENATOR JESSE BJORKMAN, District D, Alaska State Legislature,
Juneau, Alaska, said that emergency managers around the state
requested SB 192. He explained that this would create a
statewide uniform standard of emergency communication and
evacuation. This would clarify what Alaskans need to do in an
emergency and when evacuation is needed.
2:16:49 PM
BRENDA AHLBERG, Emergency Manager, Kenai Peninsula Borough,
Soldotna, Alaska, introduced herself. She emphasized the
importance of unified evacuation messaging across the state. She
said the information in the presentation is from the Kenai
Peninsula's "Ready, Set, Go!" program. While these products are
available to all jurisdictions (and have been shared with 5
municipalities to date), SB 192 would not mandate the use of
these products.
2:17:18 PM
MS. AHLBERG moved to slide 2 and discussed the importance of
statewide standards:
[Original punctuation provided.]
Statewide Standards
Standardizing wildfire evacuation messaging across
Alaska will minimize confusion during public alert and
warning phases, helping save lives. Standardized
evacuation maps clearly demonstrate closed areas,
something that becomes even more important when there
are multiple wildfires in close proximity across the
landscape.
Level 1 Ready An emergency may exist in the area
Level 2 Set Evacuation of the area is imminent
Level 3 Go! A dangerous hazard exists ... Evacuation
now!
2:18:24 PM
MS. AHLBERG moved to slide 3 and discussed the importance of
being ready for an emergency:
[Original punctuation provided.]
Level 1 - Be Ready
Be aware. Be prepared. Promote cross-cultural
perspectives of being in a "ready state" that
encourages the public to be part of response as well
as recovery.
Level 1 - Ready phase provides tips and templates for
helping the public with a variety of preparedness
topics.
Who are our vulnerable populations at Level 1?
1-Ready 2-Set 3-Go!
Take steps now to prepare for emergencies
and hazards.
Protect your home: How will I receive
emergency alerts and warnings?
Create a Plan: Where will I go for shelter
in an emergency?
Gather Supplies: How do I prepare my
household to be self-sufficient for 7 days?
Create Connections: How will my family
communicate during an emergency?
MS. AHLBERG commented that Alaskans are resilient, independent,
and value helping each other. She said that those new to Alaska
are one vulnerable population at Level 1, as they do not always
understand the challenges of living in Alaska - particularly
when it comes to natural disasters. She said that the Ready,
Set, Go! program includes preparedness and outreach in addition
to wildfire designations.
2:19:22 PM
MS. AHLBERG moved to slide 4, and discussed Level 2:
[Original punctuation provided.]
Level 2 - Get Set
Often the public cannot decide when to evacuate during
Level 2 phase, particularly when messaging continues
to imply "be ready to evacuate."
Messaging needs to stress actions that must be
completed in this phase, i.e. bags packed, plans
shared, shelter location identified.
Level 2 - Get Set: also encourage early evacuation for
those that need extra time to leave the area.
Leaving early isn't just for folks with mobility
issues, who or what else should leave now?
1-Ready 2-Set 3-Go!
Be ready to evacuate
• Have your bags packed and your plans made.
• Go now if you or a loved one need extra
time!
• Move livestock or recreational vehicles.
MS. AHLBERG said that level 2 is designated by yellow. She said
that level 2 indicates imminent danger. Residents can elect to
leave during this time. This early warning is beneficial for
those who need extra time to evacuate (e.g. those with mobility
issues, or who need to move livestock and/or recreational
vehicles). She said that, historically, 50 percent of the
population has elected to leave during the level 2 phase.
2:20:06 PM
MS. AHLBERG moved to slide 5, and discussed Level 3:
[Original punctuation provided.]
Level 3 - Go!
Take the "PLEASE" out of the message. The urgency of
leaving an evacuated area must be clear, concise and
assertive. Keeping the public out of the evacuated
area can also be challenging.
GO now! Evacuate the area now!
This bill does not amend the State of Alaska "Right-
to-Stay" law.
Go! Evacuate Now!
1-Ready 2-Set 3-Go!
Grab your keys, kits, and Go!
• Follow recommended evacuation routes.
• Go to your nearest shelter or away from the
danger.
• Stay Alert!
MS. AHLBERG emphasized that at Level 3 leaving is urgent. She
expressed hope that the messaging provided during outreach and
preparedness venues would have impressed upon residents the
importance of this phase. She noted that Alaska law prevents
mandatory evacuations; however, at Level 3, residents are urged
to leave dangerous areas.
2:20:50 PM
MS. AHLBERG moved to slide 6, and briefly discussed management
action points as they relate to operational maps:
[Original punctuation provided.]
Management Action Points Operationalized
Ready - Level 1
Set - Level 2
Go! - Level 3
MS. AHLBERG suggested that this would help to clarify why SB 143
is necessary for the standardization of evacuation maps and
messaging.
2:21:14 PM
MS. AHLBERG moved to slide 7 and discussed how the current use
of red and green cause confusion. [Slide 7 contains 3 maps to
illustrate how the colors green, yellow, and red are used to
communicate the action level of a particular area.] She shared
an anecdote to illustrate that people tend to see red as
indicating danger and necessary evacuation. However, green was
used to indicate closed areas during a recent Denali borough
fire. This led to confusion. She said the emergency manager for
the Denali Borough shared that he developed a greater
understanding of why red should be used to indicate closed or
evacuated areas.
2:22:11 PM
MS. AHLBERG moved to slide 8 and offered examples of areas in
the Pacific Northwest that that uses red to define closed areas.
Those areas also use the Ready, Set, Go! program. In that
program, Level 1 is green, Level 2 is yellow, and Level 3 is
red.
2:22:51 PM
MS. AHLBERG moved to slide 9 and provided Alaska Evacuation
Examples from 2019 to 2024. [Slide 9 contains maps from the 2019
Swan Lake fire; 2022 Minto Lake fire; 2023 Lost Horses Creek;
2023 McCoy Creek fire; and 2024 McDonald fire.] Unified mapping
indicated closed areas in red. She said this was a successful
campaign across the landscape.
2:23:08 PM
MS. AHLBERG moved to slide 10 and discussed re-entry:
[Original punctuation provided.]
Learn When to Return
Areas or streets colored green indicate safe access
for phased re-entry. Red indicates closed areas to the
public.
Multiple resources utilized to distribute unified
messaging, i.e. shelters, R911, radio, social media,
phone trees, static media, traplines, etc.
Continued coordinated messaging with utility
companies, solid waste, roads and other cooperators as
neighborhoods are reopened.
MS AHLBERG explained that in some instances, areas may be
partially reentered, but still be closed. Utility outages and
roadway closures may result in some areas remaining
inaccessible. In these instances, the Ready, Set, Go! program
uses red to indicate closed areas and green to indicate open
areas.
2:24:26 PM
MS. AHLBERG moved to slide 11 and explained that the examples
provided are from the Kenai Peninsula Borough's products. Slide
11 contains a QR code for additional information and to access
those products.
2:25:08 PM
CHAIR MERRICK opened public testimony on SB 192.
2:25:25 PM
MICHELLE WESTON, Fire Chief, Girdwood Fire and Rescue,
Anchorage, Alaska, testified in support of SB 192. She said she
is also serving as the liaison officer with the Alaska Incident
Management Team (AIMT) - Search and Rescue (SAR), where she
coordinates evacuations with local governments. She mentioned
her experience working in active evacuations and planning in
other states. She expressed her support of SB 192 and said this
would set Alaska up for success. She emphasized the importance
of uniform evacuation protocols, particularly when tourists are
moving through different areas and jurisdictions that currently
use different colors to indicate what action should be taken in
an emergency. She shared her belief that having clear guidelines
and uniform messaging is very important.
2:26:58 PM
CHAIR MERRICK closed public testimony on SB 192.
2:27:04 PM
SENATOR BJORKMAN expressed appreciation for the committee's
consideration of SB 192, which would unify alert messaging
across the state in the event of a fire or other natural
disaster.
2:27:30 PM
[CHAIR MERRICK held SB 192 in committee.]
2:27:31 PM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Chair Merrick adjourned the Senate Community and Regional
Affairs Standing Committee meeting at 2:27 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SB 192 Presentation to SCRA 05.15.2025.pdf |
SCRA 5/15/2025 1:30:00 PM |
SB 192 |
| HB 26 Fiscal Note - DOT - PDSP 2.21.25.pdf |
HCRA 2/27/2025 8:00:00 AM HCRA 3/18/2025 8:00:00 AM HCRA 3/20/2025 8:00:00 AM SCRA 5/15/2025 1:30:00 PM |
HB 26 |
| HB 26 Research - 2022 DOT&PF Study - Economic Value of Public Transit in Alaska.pdf |
HCRA 2/27/2025 8:00:00 AM HCRA 3/18/2025 8:00:00 AM HCRA 3/20/2025 8:00:00 AM SCRA 5/15/2025 1:30:00 PM |
HB 26 |
| HB 26 Research - 2024 AMC Legislative Priorities.pdf |
HCRA 2/27/2025 8:00:00 AM HCRA 3/18/2025 8:00:00 AM HCRA 3/20/2025 8:00:00 AM SCRA 5/15/2025 1:30:00 PM |
HB 26 |
| HB 26 Research - CFR, Title 23, Chapter I, Subchapter E, § 450.218, Subsections (a)-(f).pdf |
HCRA 2/27/2025 8:00:00 AM HCRA 3/18/2025 8:00:00 AM HCRA 3/20/2025 8:00:00 AM SCRA 5/15/2025 1:30:00 PM |
HB 26 |
| HB 26 Sectional Analysis - version I.pdf |
SCRA 5/15/2025 1:30:00 PM |
HB 26 |
| HB 26 Sponsor Statement - version I.pdf |
SCRA 5/15/2025 1:30:00 PM |
HB 26 |
| HB 26 Summary of Changes - version I.pdf |
SCRA 5/15/2025 1:30:00 PM |
HB 26 |
| HB 26 Supporting Document - Letters Received as of 5.14.25.pdf |
SCRA 5/15/2025 1:30:00 PM |
HB 26 |
| SB 192 Sponsor Statement Version A.pdf |
SCRA 5/15/2025 1:30:00 PM |
SB 192 |
| SB 192 Sectional Analysis Version A.pdf |
SCRA 5/15/2025 1:30:00 PM |
SB 192 |
| SB 143 Sectional Analysis Version N.pdf |
SCRA 5/15/2025 1:30:00 PM |
SB 143 |
| SB143 Sponsor Statement- Version N.pdf |
SCRA 5/15/2025 1:30:00 PM |
SB 143 |
| SB 143 Explanation of Changes Version A to Version N 04.30.2025.pdf |
SCRA 5/15/2025 1:30:00 PM |
SB 143 |
| SB 192 Fiscal Note - MVA-HLS-5-14-25 Jpryt.pdf |
SCRA 5/15/2025 1:30:00 PM |
SB 192 |