In this episode of the EMS One-Stop podcast, host Rob Lawrence is joined by Deputy Director Tracey Loscar from Mat-Su Borough EMS in Alaska. Together, they discuss the looming threat of Mount Spurr, a volcano located 75 miles west of Anchorage, which is currently showing signs of potential eruption.
Loscar provides insights into disaster management and preparedness in a region where EMS operations are stretched across vast, remote territories. The conversation also touches on how to plan for the unexpected, especially in an environment with limited resources and harsh geographical challenges. This episode delves into the logistical challenges faced by EMS in the face of volcanic activity and offers critical lessons in disaster management.
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Memorable quotes from Tracey Loscar
- “If you have a 24-hour factor for your emergency management, we have to work at 72 or 96 hours before any additional help can arrive.”
- “We have a large percentage of people who live off-grid, so obviously they would be hard to get information to. Although in this day and age, with things like Starlink and satellite, people are more connected than ever.”
- “Alaskans ... nobody’s terrified out here. They just, I mean, people live out here because they want to. We have earthquakes every day, you know, on some level, they just pay attention to the warning signs.”
- “The community has been messaged for months now on respiratory protection for both themselves and their animals ... how to prepare your HVAC systems, how to prepare your vehicles.”
- “Ash — You don’t want it in your skin. You don’t want it in your ears. You don’t want it in your eyes. You don’t want to breathe it in, certainly.”
Timeline
- 00:22 – Rob Lawrence welcomes Deputy Director Tracey Loscar and sets the stage for a discussion on disaster management in Alaska
- 02:10 – Loscar gives a brief overview of Mat-Su Borough and its proximity to Mount Spurr
- 04:01 –Loscar discusses her transition from Newark, New Jersey, to Mat-Su Borough and the challenges of EMS in rural Alaska
- 06:00 – Lawrence and Loscar discuss the vast distances and limited resources available in the region
- 08:01 – Loscar explains the preparations for the potential ash fallout from Mount Spur, including messaging to the community and respiratory protection
- 10:04 – The conversation shifts to the nature of volcanic ash and the practical challenges it presents to infrastructure, vehicles and personal health
- 14:36 – Loscar shares lessons learned from previous seismic events, such as the 2018 earthquake, and emphasizes the importance of clear communication during disasters
- 17:06 – Lawrence and Loscar discuss EMS liaison roles and the need for better coordination between dispatch, EDs and field teams
- 18:01 – Loscar talks about the current status of the Mount Spur eruption, with no immediate risk but preparations ongoing, and discusses how Alaskans stay calm and prepared in the face of frequent natural events, from earthquakes to volcanic eruptions
- 20:03 – Loscar highlights the importance of including pets in emergency plans, emphasizing the need for respiratory protection for animals
- 21:00 – The role of pantyhose in volcano preparedness
