DHS&EM Get Ready Alaska Podcast

Get Ready Alaska – 1964 Earthquake and Outdoor Awareness with Debra McGhan 1964 Good Friday Earthquake survivor and outdoor safety educator Debra McGhan joins Get Ready Alaska to share her experience during the quake, her work as former director of the Alaska Avalanche Information Center, and her involvement with Alaska Safe Rides. Inspired by the 1964 earthquake and other events, Debra has dedicated years to volunteering and helping Alaskans stay safer outdoors and in their communities. Listen wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Podcast, Amazon/Audible, and Podbean.

Get Ready Alaska - Hunter Preparedness with Lt. Ralf Lysdahl Get ready for the wild with Lt. Ralf Lysdahl of the Alaska Wildlife Troopers. In this episode of Get Ready Alaska, Lt. Lysdahl shares crucial advice for preparing to enter Alaska's backcountry. Every year, hunters and outdoor enthusiasts find themselves in distress in the Alaskan wilderness. Challenges like rough terrain, harsh weather, poor decision-making, and unexpected bad luck can quickly turn an adventure into a rescue situation. Lt. Lysdahl provides numerous, actionable tips that people can implement before and during any wilderness adventure. He emphasizes the critical need for preparation, including checking the weather forecast and conditions, having the proper equipment for survival and signaling, and the absolute importance of leaving a detailed travel plan with someone reliable. This episode offers essential guidance for every Alaskan outdoor enthusiast looking to stay safe and prepared. You can find Get Ready Alaska on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon/Audible, and Podbean. NOTE: This episode was originally to be published in the fall of 2025. Due to disaster events DHS&EM staff was not able to publish this episode at that time. While it is no longer hunting season the information is still relevant. Enjoy!

Get Ready Alaska - Ketchikan Landslides with Kacie Paxton and Rick Hines Landslides are a regular occurrence in Alaska, especially in the Southeast region. While many happen in remote areas with minimal impact, some have a significant effect on communities and individuals. In recent years, landslides have become the deadliest type of natural disaster event experienced in the state. Ketchikan, Alaska, recently faced two landslides that directly impacted their community. On this episode of "Get Ready Alaska," Kacie Paxton and Rick Hines join us to discuss how these landslides affected their community and how residents responded.

Get Ready Alaska: UAA Emergency Management with John Huffman As a vital hub within Southcentral Alaska, the University of Alaska Anchorage plays a critical role in regional emergency response. This episode of "Get Ready Alaska" features UAA Director of Emergency Management, John Huffman, who will delve into the university's proactive approach to disaster preparedness. We'll explore how UAA safeguards its diverse campus community, ensures effective communication during crises, and contributes to the broader community's resilience in the face of emergencies. Listen wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Podcast, Amazon/Audible, and Podbean.

Get Ready Alaska – Emergency Management in Guam with Stephen Cahill The U.S. territory of Guam is often seen as a tropical paradise, with its warm climate, stunning landscapes, and welcoming community. However, the island is also vulnerable to powerful typhoons and potentially devastating tsunamis. In this episode of Get Ready Alaska, we’re joined by Stephen Cahill, Tsunami Program Manager at the Guam Homeland Security/Office of Civil Defense. Stephen discusses the unique challenges of emergency management on the island, Guam’s most significant natural hazards, and the vital steps residents take to prepare for and respond to disasters. Tune in to Get Ready Alaska on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon/Audible, or Podbean to learn more about how APIP is building resilience and preparing Alaska for future disaster events. For comprehensive emergency preparedness information, visit www.ready.alaska.gov.

Get Ready Alaska – Featuring Ben Hartlieb on Building Infrastructure Resilience In this episode of Get Ready Alaska, we welcome Ben Hartlieb, Co-Chair of the Alaska Partnership for Infrastructure Protection (APIP), to discuss how Alaska is proactively strengthening its infrastructure and businesses against future disasters. APIP is a collaborative public-private initiative that brings together government emergency management agencies and private sector stakeholders. APIP recognize that private industries play a crucial role in disaster recovery by restoring essential goods, services, and employment. APIP aims to identify shared vulnerabilities and develop solutions before disasters strike. This foresight ensures a more rapid restoration of services when emergencies occur. APIP focuses on: Resource identification and sharing Information management Infrastructure sector analysis to address vulnerabilities and interdependencies Enhancing awareness of physical and cyber threats Strengthening individual business response capabilities Facilitating joint exercises and training Tune in to Get Ready Alaska on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon/Audible, or Podbean to learn more about how APIP is building resilience and preparing Alaska for future disaster events. For comprehensive emergency preparedness information, visit www.ready.alaska.gov.  

Get Ready Alaska – Alaska Qualification System with DHS&EM’s Jonathan Nicoles The Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHS&EM) Training Section is launching a statewide Emergency Management Qualification System. This system is designed to help emergency managers identify and document the skills and experience needed to fulfill roles within the Incident Command System (ICS). Jonathan Nicoles from DHS&EM joins Get Ready Alaska to explain the purpose behind the new program, how individuals can get involved, and what the process looks like once a task book is completed. You can listen to Get Ready Alaska on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon/Audible, and Podbean.

Get Ready Alaska – Riverwatch with Jen Wallace (DHS&EM) and Kyle Van Peursem (APRFC) Each spring, the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHS&EM) partners with the Alaska-Pacific River Forecast Center (APRFC) for the Riverwatch Program. This collaborative effort monitors Alaska’s rivers—particularly the Yukon, Kuskokwim, and other waterways prone to ice jams—during the spring breakup season. Riverwatch teams take to the skies to observe the breakup front in real-time, providing critical updates to riverine communities at risk of flooding. In this episode of Get Ready Alaska, Kyle Van Peursem from the APRFC and Jen Wallace from DHS&EM join us to share insights about the Riverwatch Program, the risks posed by ice jam flooding, and what this year’s breakup forecast means for Alaskans. Tune in to the Get Ready Alaska Podcast on popular platforms such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, and Podbean.

Get Ready Alaska – Alaska Volcano Observatory with Kristi Wallace and David Schneider Alaska is home to numerous active volcanoes, making volcanic monitoring and research essential for public safety. The Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) plays a crucial role in tracking volcanic activity, studying both past and present eruptions, and issuing alerts when volcanic events pose risks to communities and transportation systems. In this episode of Get Ready Alaska, AVO experts Kristi Wallace and David Schneider discuss the methods used to monitor and study volcanoes, the potential impacts of eruptions, and how the public can stay informed about volcanic activity. Additionally, they provide insight into the recent activity at Mount Spurr and explore the possible consequences of an eruption on Southcentral Alaska. Tune in to the Get Ready Alaska Podcast on popular platforms such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, and Podbean.

Get Ready Alaska - Part 2: Emergency Management Assistance Compact with Andrew Jen Wallace and Dave Reilly When disaster strikes, affected states can call on neighboring states for help through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC). This mutual aid agreement enables all 50 U.S. states and territories to request and provide disaster-related support. In the wake of Hurricane Helene, several DHS&EM staff members were deployed to North Carolina to assist. Part two of this two-part series explores the critical work done by DHS&EM’s Jen Wallace, Dave Reilly and other DHS&EM staff, who helped run a massive distribution center in a hard-hit North Carolina county.  Tune in to Get Ready Alaska on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Audible/Amazon, Google Podcasts, and Podbean.