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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, November 12th, 2018

Contact:
Dennis Moen, Business Manager
2510 Arctic Boulevard / Anchorage, AK 99503
Phone. 907-276-7211 

Anchorage Earthquake Response

Concern for Safety

ANCHORAGE, AK--- Public Employees Local 71 expresses concern for our members, their families, and the communities in which we work and live following today’s earthquake.

State offices were closed by announcement at 8:58 AM this morning to assess damages.  At 9:47 AM it was announced that The Dena’ina Civic & Convention Center would be an available shelter for those who could not make it home. This was updated to the Egan Center at 11:51 AM, as the Dena’ina had lost utility services.

Local 71 leadership continues to coordinate with responders and support the assessment and repair of public facilities and transportation.

Local 71 Business Manager, Dennis Moen, issued the following statement today urging everyone to remember, Safety First:

“As Public Employees Local 71 continues to work closely with responsible agencies to support expedient repairs and recovery, for the safety of our members and the public, please keep these safety measures in mind:

• Check water, gas, and electric lines for damage;
• Turn on the radio for information;
• Stay out of damaged buildings;
• Be careful around broken glass and debris;
• Be careful of chimneys (they may fall on you);
• Stay away from shorelines;
• Stay away from damaged areas;
• If you are without natural gas for heat, be safe with your stacks on wood stoves, and if you’re using portable electric heat abide by safe practices;
• Beware of secondary effects. Although ground shaking is the major source of earthquake damage, secondary effects can also be very destructive. These include landslides, saturated sandy soils becoming soft and unstable, flooding of low-lying areas and tsunamis washing over coastlines;
• Traffic in Anchorage is being diverted due to road damage, please drive carefully;
• Check conditions before you go. Updated road safety information can be found at http://511.alaska.gov/alaska511/mappingcomponent/index, and you can sign up for text updates right to your phone or email;
• The Egan Convention Center is available as a safe shelter for those of you who cannot reach your home.”

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Local 71 is a statewide Local Union representing roughly 2,500 members in public sector employment.

 We have offices in Fairbanks, and Juneau, and a Main Office in Anchorage. Our members are hard workers and good neighbors who contribute greatly to their communities.  We proudly offer members-only benefits including training, job referrals, scholarships, health trust, discounts, and other support.

More information may be found at www.Local71.com or our Facebook page.