Contributed by Debra McGhan
When Jacob Hartman, age 16, volunteered with his Colony High School Junior ROTC program to support the 2021 Mat Su Emergency Preparedness Expo on September 25th at the Menard Sports Center, he really didn’t know what to expect.
“There were only a few jobs for volunteers and once those were taken, the rest of us were told to just walk around and see what was happening so I started walking around and talking to people. It was really cool with lots of different sources of information. And then I noticed the poster contest and that no one had entered my age division. After a while, I thought, well why not me? So I sat down and drew a picture of my dad’s food cache because I figured, if there is an emergency, we’ll have food and supplies. And then I added his gun case because if we run out of food, we’ll be able to hunt for more and protect our family.”
That decision to take the initiative to draw a picture of what being prepared for an emergency meant to him earned Jacob the winning prize for his age division.
He believes that everyone who lives in Alaska really needs to be prepared. “I think the most important thing people need to know is that you should never think it won’t happen to you. Because it can. It probably will. I remember in November 2018 when I went to school I was thinking about the party we were going to have for a teacher that was getting promoted, but instead we had a really big earthquake and everything instantly changed.”
Ten-year-old Jordan Schweitzer, from Glacier View, heard about the poster contest at her school and decided to enter to show what it meant to her to be prepared. She wrote ‘Survive and Thrive ’and included a list of critical items and pictures of supplies she thinks are important to have.
“I wanted my poster to have a little rhythm and figured if you have the supplies you need to survive an emergency, then you have a chance to thrive.”
She said her family doesn’t talk a lot about what they will do in an emergency but she’s pretty confident that they are prepared. She thinks everyone should learn survival skills. “If you can do things like hunting and foraging, you could use those skills if there is an emergency and you can’t go to the store.”
Raylee Meeuwsen, also a student at Glacier View, had a similar idea. She made a list and drew pictures of things she believes should be in a grab and go bag. “I think it’s important to have a bag you can grab and take with you if you have to get out of your house fast.”
Emily Williams, who took first in the 13-15 age division, said getting out fast is definitely something she considered. Her poster focused on fire safety and included supplies you should have on hand and a back pack large enough to carry those supplies in case a hasty retreat becomes necessary.
Jacob, Jordan, Raylee, Emily and 5-year-old Talon Holdon, will each be presented with a three-day survival back-pack, thanks to the American Red Cross, at an upcoming Mat-Su Borough Assembly meeting. Everyone who entered also received a gift certificate from McDonalds. You can check out all the 2021 winning poster entries at https://ready.matsugov.us/
The annual poster contest, part of the Mat Su Emergency Preparedness Expo, helps to engage families and get them talking about what they would do in an emergency. Do they have a plan for where to meet or what to do if an emergency or natural disaster strikes?
This poster contest was supported by the Mat-Su Local Emergency Planning Committee, Safe Logic, Inc, McDonalds Corporation and the American Red Cross. The Mat-Su Preparedness Expo was made possible with support from the Mat Su Borough Emergency Services, Local Emergency Planning Committee, City of Wasilla, American Red Cross and AARP Alaska.
Just because National Emergency Preparedness month (September,) is over, doesn’t mean you missed your chance to get prepared. Take the time today to make your plan, collect critical supplies and communicate what you and your loved ones should do so that your family can survive and thrive just as Jordan Schweitzer said on her poster.
Photos by Debra McGhan
1. Emily Williams, 13 year-old winner with her poster at the Expo
2. Poster by Jacob Hartman
3. Expo Poster Contest 10-12 year old entries
4. Contest entries for 7-9 year oldsKids Get Prepared