February 18, 2008
Monday AM

Ketchikan, Alaska - A delegation of over 15 community members lobbied in Juneau last week in an effort to seek funding for a number of legislative priority funding projects. The #1 priority project includes 1) Phase II of the South Tongass Volunteer Fire Department; 2) Replacement of Ketchikan Fire Department Station 1 (downtown); and 3) Development of a Regional Training facility at North Tongass Volunteer Fire Department.

The South Tongass Volunteer Fire Department completed Phase I of its construction project, which included clearing and excavation of the new fire station site, located next to the Sea Watch subdivision. Phase II includes engineering and construction of the new station and currently seeks $2.2 million in funding to complete this project.

The new South Tongass fire station will provide a larger facility for a growing membership, drive through bays to decrease damage to fire engines and sufficient space for hazardous materials decontamination among other critical components. An increased population growth in the South Tongass service area requires a station that allows for adequate storage of fire apparatuses, housing for on duty Firefighters to increase call response time, and a larger training/ meeting room to accommodate all members. The current station is not handicap accessible nor can it handle its current membership for essential training, drills and courses.

North Tongass Volunteer Fire Department is currently planning a Regional Fire Training Center to be located at Fire Station 8, at Mile 13110 North Tongass Highway. This regional training center would enable fire departments south of Juneau, such as Prince of Wales Island, to send their emergency response personnel to a quality training center at a reduced travel cost. The training conducted at this center will follow established State and National fire standards with certified, experienced instructors. The lot is designed to provide for an Emergency Vehicle Operations Course (EVOC), needed to drive emergency vehicles. A fire pump test pit will fulfill a dual purpose as a training tool and as a testing station for required annual pump tests. It will be made available to any who need it. The existing water tank will be doubled in size to hold 45,000 gallons of water to serve the needs of the Center and will have an added benefit of providing water for firefighting when a real emergency strikes.

Source of News:

Ketchikan Gateway Borough Fire Protection Public Information Office

 

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