The Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly enacted an ordinance through consent agenda that appropriates funds from the Bear Creek Fire Service Area Operating Fund balance for the cost of repairs to a rescue pumper.
A 2005 Freightliner Rescue Pumper owned by the Borough and operated by the Bear Creek Fire Service Area sustained mechanical damage on July 10, 2022 due to failure of the transfer case responsible for driving and fire pump engagement. The engine lost power while driving on the Seward Highway responding to a call. The Rescue Pumper is the primary structural apparatus for the Bear Creek Fire Service Area and was towed to Metco Alaska for a diagnostic review of the necessary repairs.
An estimate for the repairs and replacement was submitted by Metco Alaska on August 8, 2022 and, due to the urgent need to return the Rescue Pumper to service, work already was underway.
A full diagnosis of the damage was completed, and it was determined that the damage extended beyond the transfer case. The cost for replacement parts, labor and other associated charges is estimated to be $37,132. The repair work began on an emergency basis, per KPB code, due to the urgent need to return the rescue pumper to service and since funding was available in the overall service area budget.
Repairs were underway on the primary engine and the ordinance appropriated the funds from the Bear Creek Operating Fund to cover the repair costs.
The Bear Creek Fire and Emergency Service Area was established in the 70s to provide fire protection and emergency medical response for the Seward Bear Creek area which stretches from mile 3.5 to mile 8 on the Seward Highway. Under mutual aid agreements, the Service Area also responds to incidents outside the service area.