The Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA) and the Stakeholder Preparedness Review (SPR) are the cornerstone of Alaska’s strategy to ensure a resilient and prepared state. These programs work in tandem to help us understand our risks and measure our ability to face them.

• THIRA: A three-step risk assessment completed every three years. It identifies the threats and hazards—from natural disasters like earthquakes and floods to human-caused incidents—that most challenge our state. Through THIRA, we establish specific Capability Targets, defining the exact level of response and recovery we aim to achieve.  

Stakeholder Preparedness Review (SPR):

An annual self-assessment where we measure our Current Capability against the targets set in the THIRA. By analyzing survey data from jurisdictions across Alaska, the SPR identifies gaps in our planning, organization, equipment, training, and exercises (POETE). This data directly informs our investment strategies and grant funding priorities to close those gaps and keep Alaskans safe.  

Together, these processes allow us to move from simply identifying risks to taking actionable steps toward a more secure Alaska.

Ben Hartlieb
Ben.hartlieb@alaska.gov 
907-428-7019