Free workshops scheduled on disaster preparation

Downed trees surround a damaged power pole after a windstorm
Rod Boyce
Windstorms, like the one ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø saw in August, can knock the power out for days. Learn what you can do in the event of an outage or natural disaster in these workshops.

A series of free workshops on Friday, Oct. 7, will teach attendees about putting together an emergency kit, what kind of generator to buy and how to maintain a water supply, among other tips.  

The Blackout Backup self-sufficiency summit is sponsored by the University of Alaska ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø Cooperative Extension Service, the ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø North Star Borough Office of Emergency Management and the American Red Cross of Alaska. The daylong (8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.) series of free workshops will provide tips and resources to help Interior Alaska residents navigate power outages and natural disasters.

8 a.m.: Resources: Who’s who for help; emergency kit; potential warming centers

8:30 a.m.: Be Red Cross Ready

9:30 a.m.: Generators: Purchase, prep and safe, economical use

11 a.m.: Battery backup for home and vehicle

Noon: Lunch

12:30 p.m.: Food storage and cellars — maintaining a place for fresh foods

2 p.m.: Biochar — roasting wood for filtration and growing

3 p.m.: Keeping the water flowing and the well running

3:30 p.m.: Nanogrid: Tying biomass, solar and wind together for backup

All sessions will be held in the Centennial Center’s Blue Room, Pioneer Park, 2300 Airport Way, ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø. Preregistration is not required. Contact Art Nash at 907-474-6366, alnashjr@alaska.edu for more information.