February 18, 2008
Monday AM

Ketchikan, Alaska - It was standing room only at the dedication of North Tongass Volunteer Fire Department's Station 8 on Friday, February 8th. February 1st was actually NTVFD's fourth anniversary and the month of February was a suitable time and the station was a suitable place to honor a man who led the cause that resulted in the appropriation of $750,000 from the State Legislature giving North Tongass the money it needed to build not one, but two fire stations. The weather held out just long enough to allow the dedication to take place before the heavy snow flurries began.

Jim Van Horn, Jim Elkin's right hand man during his service in the Alaska State Legislature, gave a history of how the fight ensued. Van Horn talked about Jim Elkin's tenacity in the face of strong opposition to bring together the people needed to make North Tongass' and Jim Elkins' visions to provide a strong emergency response organization to protect the residents and property in the area become a reality. Because of the money appropriated, North Tongass VFD was able to move out of both leased stations and into the new buildings by May of 2006. The final move of the administrative functions of the department from Station 6, across from the Alaska Marine Highway offices was completed in August of 2008.

Lieutenant Steve Phillips, Chairman of the Board for the North Tongass Fire & EMS Service Area, talked about his involvement with Mr. Elkins on the funding issue. Phillips introduced Elkins' wife, Nance, and their son, Jamie. Mrs. Elkins was then asked to unveil the plaque that will eventually be mounted on a monument in front of the station in a landscaped area currently under design. Mrs. Elkins gave an emotional statement to the hushed crowd thanking everyone.

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Ketchikan, Alaska