Free workshops scheduled on disaster preparation

Downed trees surround a damaged power pole after a windstorm
Rod Boyce
Windstorms, like the one Fairbanks 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 ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service, the Fairbanks North Star Borough Office of Emergency Management and the American Red Cross of ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ. The daylong (8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.) series of free workshops will provide tips and resources to help Interior ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ 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, Fairbanks. Preregistration is not required. Contact Art Nash at 907-474-6366, alnashjr@alaska.edu for more information.