POTSDAM — The public library will host a presentation in the community meeting room by Gene LaLonde titled “Surviving Unexpected Emergencies,” Feb. 7, from 2-5 p.m.

This talk was previously given in January, and due to popular demand, Mr. LaLonde has agreed to speak on the topic again, this time during the day to allow those to attend who weren’t able to do so in January.

Mr. LaLonde is a retired pilot with a background in electronics. He is a survivalist who lives off the grid in Northern New York, and he’s recently written a novel, “A Question of Survival” about surviving after an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) attack on the United States.

An EMP is a high-intensity burst of electromagnetic energy caused by the rapid acceleration of charged particles. An EMP attack has the potential to decimate America’s electrical and technological infrastructure, effectively sending the U.S. back to the 19th Century. As we grow more reliant on electronic devices, our vulnerability to an EMP attack also increases.

The presentation will address survival concerns related to a wide variety of potential emergencies that we conceivably might face at some time such the Blizzard of 1977 and Ice Storm of 1998, which many area residents vividly recall.

Potential emergencies related to winter weather and travel, and also the loss of the electric grid will be discussed such as how to prepare for and survive emergencies, items to have on hand, food storage and preservation, water collection and purification, medical concerns, and coping with civil unrest that sometimes is associated with emergencies.

The community meeting room is located directly above the Potsdam police station.

The event is free and open to all. Preregistration is appreciated but not required. Contact the computer center at 265-7230.