Sponsor and emergency managers push statewide 'Ready, Set, Go' evacuation standard

Senator Jesse Bjorkman told the Senate Resources Committee on April 10 that emergency managers from around Alaska requested Senate Bill 192 to create a uniform statewide standard for evacuation messaging. "The bill establishes the ready, set, go designations with corresponding green, yellow, and red color coding for evacuation plans," Bjorkman said.

Brenda Alberg, senior emergency manager for the Kenai Peninsula Borough and representing the Alaska Emergency Managers Association, described operational use of the Ready, Set, Go program and how management action points and standardized colors reduce public confusion during incidents. She said jurisdictions and the Division of Forestry and Fire Protection have been working to produce common operating maps that show evacuation zones shaded by status and that consistent red designation for "go" on maps reduces messaging conflicts.

Alberg told the committee the standard is intended for all hazards and not only wildfires; it is intended to assist both evacuation and reentry messaging (for example, when utilities or roads remain unsafe after a hazard). Committee members asked whether level 2 ("set") implies an imminent evacuation; Alberg said level 2 indicates a likely evacuation and gives residents—especially those with mobility issues or large vehicles—time to prepare.

Public testimony was opened and closed with no speakers. Chair Giesel set an amendment deadline for SB 192 for Friday, April 17 at noon and said the bill will be heard again after that date.

Next steps: The sponsor and emergency-management stakeholders will continue to refine language and coordinate statutory placement to ensure the standard applies across hazards and in local planning documents.