Over $450,000 of new extrication tools will soon be put into service on Alaska’s highways.
Much of the funding, $312,000, was the direct result of Kenai Peninsula Mayor Peter Micciche’s work with local fire chiefs when he was serving as the president of the Alaska Senate. Another $116,000 in funding came from a highway safety grant awarded to the Transportation and Public Facilities Highway Safety Office. Private and corporate donations also contributed to the purchase of the equipment. SPAN Alaska donated the shipping.
Emergency responders often face many challenges posed by remote locations; lack of 911 mobile phone access, winter weather, and rugged terrain along the region’s highways. This extrication equipment will enable the fire departments to remove people more safely and quickly from vehicles in the event of a crash while reducing the risk of injury to both victims and responders.
The fire departments benefiting from these funds are Girdwood Fire Rescue, Bear Creek Volunteer Fire Department, Homer Volunteer Fire Department, Cooper Landing Emergency Services, Central Emergency Services, Kenai Fire Department, Seward Fire Department, Hope Sunrise Emergency Services, Nikiski Fire Department, Western Emergency Services, and Kachemak Emergency Services.
“The safety of Alaskans on our highways is a top priority for the department,” said DOT&PF Commissioner Ryan Anderson. “We are pleased to partner with the Girdwood Fire Department and the Kenai Peninsula Borough to provide this important equipment to the first responders who serve our communities.”
“This equipment is going to save the lives of our friends, family, and community members. This was the first upgrade to our equipment in 20 years. Having equipment that is made for current vehicle designs and materials and that can stabilize vehicles for crews to work safely is huge. We have immense gratitude for the public and private donations we received and the support from community member Shannon Pursley who saw our original social media post in January 2022 and organized donations from fellow Hilcorp employees, Ice Services, Bond Commercial Properties, Mayor Micciche, and Alaska Legislative staff member Konrad Jackson,” said Girdwood Fire and Rescue Chief Michelle Weston.
Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Peter Micciche said,
“The need for extrication equipment replacement on the highway corridor from Girdwood throughout the Kenai Peninsula was made clear to me by Girdwood’s Chief Weston and Kenai Peninsula-wide Fire Chiefs while I served as Senate President during the 32nd Legislature. Together we convinced the remainder of the Legislature and Governor Dunleavy that the safety of the public utilizing Southcentral highways was at risk without modern extrication equipment. I am sincerely grateful for the support of fellow Legislators in recognizing the imperative nature of the appropriation, and excited at the arrival of this important lifesaving equipment.”
