Kodiak emergency committee weighs objective to develop Tier II hazmat plan

Kodiak's Local Emergency Planning Committee will consider a motion Friday, Oct. 9, to approve five objectives for 2026 and 2027, including a hazardous materials response plan covering every Tier II facility on Kodiak Island. Tier II forms disclose the hazardous chemicals facilities keep on hand.

It will also consider recommending the Kodiak City Council and Kodiak Island Borough adopt the draft 2026 Kodiak Island Emergency Operations Plan, which would guide emergency response and recovery for both.

Chair and Emergency Manager Ken Folsom presented both items. One objective calls for at least one tabletop exercise in 2027, where responders talk through a simulated emergency, to test a Tier II facility's response plan.

The draft plan, citing Tier II reports, says anhydrous ammonia is the extremely hazardous substance stored in the greatest quantities. A Kodiak-area contingency plan last revised in 2010 says the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation identified five facilities that handle it, including seafood processors.

Public comment, three minutes per speaker, comes before both items at the 6:30 pm meeting at the Kodiak Fire Department; speakers are asked to call 486-8678.