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Articles from
November 2007
Anchorage Fire Department
Press Release
11-27-2007
Contact Tom Kempton 267-4999
The Anchorage Fire Department 2007 Firefighter’s Training Academy starts today, November 27th. The process for selection of candidates for this year’s academy began in June with notice of testing. 690 candidates were selected for the first phase which was a written general aptitude test, 456 showed up to take the test. The top 223 were passed on to the physical agility test and a decision making examination, 148 successfully passed this phase and the top 78 from that testing were forwarded to two sets of structured oral board interviews. 40 people were offered conditional offers of employment and forwarded for a medical and psychological examination.
Today, 32 recruits begin a rigorous 15 week academy. Candidates will receive training in emergency medical skills toward certification as an EMT, firefighting theory and practical experience in self-contained breathing apparatus, command and control, operations in high rise and other occupancies and wildland fire training. Experience deploying and using hoselines, ladders and hand tools as well as work with advanced extrication and power tools rounds out the course. Experts in Hazardous Materials, Emergency Medicine, Communications and Leadership will lecture and a part of each classroom session will include practical applications of the skills learned in the classroom.
Successful completion of the academy will be the beginning of an intensive field training internship and a 1 year probationary period.
Of the 32 firefighter candidates in the 2007 academy, 12 are already Mobile Intensive Care paramedics will continue filling out some of the vacancies in the ranks caused by retirements and promotions in addition to the 14 new Firefighter/Emergency Medical Technician positions that were approved by the voters in the April 2007 Bond issue to staff an engine company in the very busy Fire Station 12 area in South Anchorage.
A call reporting flames visible at a home on 32nd avenue near Spenard was received by the Anchorage Fire Department dispatch center just before 8 pm tonight. The first unit was on location four minutes later and reported heavy fire on the first floor. A total of 11 units responded and the fire was under control within 30 minutes. A wood stove in the residence was determined to be the cause and damage is estimated to be $100,000. The home is a total loss. Two residents were displaced by the blaze, but did not require Red Cross assistance.
Second Thanksgiving Day Fire Displaces 2 more Residents
Contact Tom Kempton 317-7233
A second Thanksgiving Day fire broke out tonight shortly before 7 PM at 5340 E 29th Ave, Apartment 61.
Callers reported fire and smoke from a second story apartment in this 20 unit complex. Bystanders used portable dry fire extinguishers from the outside deck balcony before the firefighters arrived and were able to contain the fire to the single apartment unit. Firefighters quickly knocked the fire down but there was some smoke damage to other units located above the apartment. Only the residents of the fire apartment will be displaced by this incident and the Alaska Chapter of the American Red Cross was on location to provide assistance to the two residents and a dog they own.
This apartment complex was equipped with a fire alarm system that alerted the other residents to evacuate when the fire broke out. Firefighters credit the quick response by other residents in limiting the fire damage to the single unit. The cause of the fire is still undetermined at this time. Firefighters said the fire origin appeared to be a computer/entertainment area with numerous electrical connections but there was also some questions about candles that were also found in the area.
The Anchorage Fire Department responded 12 initial units to this incident and also called a second alarm assignment to make sure enough manpower was available if the fire had extended into other units in this large apartment complex. A total of 20 units responded with about 45 personnel.
Thanksgiving Morning Fire In Muldoon
Displaces 16
Contact Tom Kempton 317-7233
A fire broke out at approx. 8:30 AM this morning at 7416 E 20th Ave in the Muldoon area. The first arriving fire engine was from Station 14 at Tudor and Campbell Airstrip Road. They reported heavy smoke and fire from the attached garage and they made an agressive attack on the fire that prevented it from spreading to the main living area of the home. The garage had been converted into a living area with a pool table and other furnishings present. The fire was contained to the garage area but there was some extension to the attic above the main housing unit and smoke damage to the remainder of the home. 16 people have been displaced by this fire, 8 were residents and 8 were visiting relatives according to fire crews. The area of origin of this fire was the garage and a resident reported that there had been small candles burning in the area prior to the fire.
Damage is estimated at approx. $50,000. The Alaska Chapter of the American Red Cross was on the scene and will be providing assistance to the displaced residents. The Anchorage Fire Department urges residents that want to assist this family to do so by monetary donation to the Alaska Chapter of the Red Cross. The Red Cross provides much needed assistance to families that experience loss due to disasters and other emergencies and this is a very busy time of year for them. Please give generously, the funds that you donate stay here to assist Alaskans in need.
The Anchorage Fire Department responded 14 units and over 30 personnel to this fire. We hope that citizens will be careful with fire this holiday season. Make sure that if you are using candles that they are never left unattended and that they are placed in a holder that is non-combustible and can contain the candle wax if it melts down. If you are using deep fat fryers or barbeques to cook your turkey this year make sure that they are placed on surfaces that will not catch fire such as wooded decks. Make sure that they are turned off and secure as we are expecting high winds in the area that could fan a fire that escapes your barbeque.
Make sure your smoke detectors and Carbon Monoxide detectors are operating. They will give your family time to escape.
Please be safe and enjoy this time of thanksgiving.
Anchorage Fire Department Fire Investigator Makes Arrest
For Recent Suspicious Fires
Contact Tom Kempton
907-317-7233
A 17 year old juvenile was taken into custody today and charged with the string of intentionally set fires that followed the structure fire and fire fatality, November 4th at 1211 E 11th street in Anchorage.
The juvenile has been charged with one count of Arson 1 for intentionally setting fire to the previously burned structure on the afternoon of November 5th and also charged with 2 counts of Criminal Mischief in the 3rd Degree for the two car fires near the structure that followed. He has also been charged with the one count of Burglary in the 2nd Degree for his entry into the structure to set the second fire.
All these charges are felonies.
The investigation into this incident was aided by interviews with neighborhood residents who provided information leading up to the identification and arrest of this juvenile.
Fire Damages Condo
At 0445 a.m. this morning the Anchorage Fire Department Dispatch Center received two 911 calls reporting a fire at 3505 Heartwood Place located in the Tudor/Baxter area. The callers reported the exterior balcony on fire on one of the units in the 8 plex structure. Eleven units were dispatched and the first arriving Engine Company for the Campbell Airstrip Fire Station called a working fire.
A fast attack was initiated suppressing the fire on the exterior, but it was found where the fire had breached the chimney chase and extended into the third floor of the unit. As additional units arrived fire suppression efforts were successful in containing the fire to the one condo. Some smoke filtered into the adjoining units. The fire was called under control about 30 minutes after first units arrived.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. The occupant of the fire unit was awakened by a smoke detector and safely escaped without injury. All occupants in the adjoining units also escaped without injury. There were no fire ground injuries. The Red Cross responded and provided assistance to the one displaced resident. Adjoining unit residents were able to return to their homes. The fire caused an estimated $150,000 in damage.
EARLY MORNING SECOND-ALARM FIRE
CLAIMS THE LIFE OF ONE
At approximately 6:00AM on Sunday, November 4th, the Anchorage Fire Department Communications Center received a report of a structure in the 1200 block of East 11th Avenue. The initial report was that someone was trapped in the structure which is an immediate fire alarm dispatch. Eleven units were dispatched with the first unit arriving on location five minutes after the initial call. A second alarm was also dispatched based upon the entrapment and size of fire. The initial size-up indicated that the 2nd floor of the structure was heavily involved. The Anchorage Police Department advised that 2 of the 3 occupants were accounted for. The 3rd occupant was located on the second floor and was immediately transported to Alaska Regional Hospital and pronounced shortly after arriving. The name is not released until next of kin is notified. Fire investigators are investigating the cause of the fire that took this young life.
For further information, contact Jen Klugh @ 317-9929.
A call was received at 9:11am on November 3rd, from a resident on Forest Village near the 88th and Arlene. Caller reported smoke coming from the roof. Eleven Anchorage Fire Department Units responded. First in units reported light smoke showing from the peak of the roof. After further investigation, Engine 7's crew discovered a fire in the attic space and declared a working fire. The fire was rendered under control within 18 minutes and no injuries were reported. The amount of damages has not been released as of yet. Red Cross responded to assist.
Girdwood Rollover Accident
Closes Seward Highway
On Saturday, November 3rd at approximately 1015 hours, the Anchorage Fire Department received a single 9-1-1 call of a single vehicle rollover accident on the Seward Hwy approximately 1 mile south of the Alyeska Hwy cutoff in the Girdwood area. Fire/EMS/Rescue personnel are currently on scene rendering services to two patients, one of which was ejected. Lifeguard is currently enroute and the Seward Hwy is currently closed. Additional information to follow.
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