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| For more information about anything presented in these media releases, please contact AFD Public Affairs: | | Phone: 267-4999 | | |
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Articles from
April 2008
Anchorage Fire Department
04.30.08
Contact Jennifer Klugh 317-9929
Wildfire Mitigation Project on Campbell Creek Greenbelt
To mitigate the risk and hazard of wildfire in the neighborhood, the Anchorage Fire Department has partnered with the MOA Parks & Recreation Department to treat the greenbelt of Campbell Creek from Taku Elementary to Dowling Road. To maintain the integrity of the stream protection zone, forest treatment will only be done east of the trail. All spruce bark beetle killed trees will be removed. Additionally, black spruce trees will be thinned and pruned to leave healthy trees. This project will limit the available fuel for camp fires and increase the visibility into the forest. Crews will be working in the area beginning April 30, 2008.
What is the risk of fire in the greenbelt?
There has been evidence of fire use in the Campbell Creek greenbelt over the past several years. Dense trees and fallen limbs provide the fuel for these fires. By thinning out the forest and pruning the live residual trees, less fuel (wood) is available to burn. Also, the increased visibility into the forest dissuades fire use.
What is Firewise?
The Anchorage Fire Department uses the national Firewise home protection principles to reduce the potential for wildfires to spread to homes. Firewise is everyone’s responsibility. Managing our forests for fire and resistance to bark beetles supports green, vibrant trees on both private and public lands.
What is the forest treatment planned for the greenbelt?
In an effort to keep a forest fire from spreading into the surrounding neighborhood and to support the growth and vigor of live trees, the forest treatment project will carefully remove and limb trees. In some areas, dense black spruce will be thinned to leave clumps of healthy residual trees. Improving forest health in this park may be accomplished by pruning the live, residual trees to stave off a future bark beetle attack. Dead trees will be removed, both standing and downed. Tree limbs will be chipped. This project is expected to begin on April 30, 2008. Tree thinning will be done by the State of Alaska Pioneer Peak Crew. These are professional firefighters working on fire mitigation projects in the Anchorage area since 2001. Chipping will be done by a private contractor Fuels Reduction of Alaska. This crew is on contract with the Anchorage Fire Department.
Anchorage Fire Department
April 2008
Contact Cleo Hill 317-8684
At approximately 5 pm this evening, Anchorage Fire Dispatchers received numerous 911 calls reporting a structure fire on Doil Street, off Dowling Road. 10 Emergency vehicles responded from the Tudor Road, Dimond, Campbell Airstrip and Spenard Stations. Heavy wet snow and snarled traffic added to the response. Units on location found the duplex 50% involved with fire. The fire continued to spread through the attic to the other side of the 2 unit home.
All occupants were out of the duplex and there are no injuries, however one family dog and 2 cats are still being searched for. Several dogs were able to escape on their own. One side of the duplex is considered to be a total loss, with preliminary estimates of damage to the entire structure of $350,000, plus contents. The 2nd unit has smoke and water damage, but no fire damage.
The fire started when one of the occupants attempted to light his barbeque grill on the rear deck. The hose line from the propane tank to the grill failed and the propane ignited from the hose. The occupant attempted to extinguish the fire with water and then an extinguisher, but the propane tank tipped over and rolled to the doorway of the dinning room spreading fire to the walls and carpet.
Even with today's surprise spring snow fall, Anchorage residents are thinking about grilling and other summer activities. Before using your gas grill, be sure to check your propane tank and supply hose for leaks, excess wear and damage. If your grill has been outside all winter, the supply hose could have weather damage.
Most people have put away their snow shovels, but remember that emergency vehicles need a clear path to respond to your emergency. Be sure to park cars out of the traffic lane and never closer than 15 feet to a hydrant. If you have a hydrant in your neighborhood that is bagged, be sure to contact AWWU for repairs.
Campbell Tract Garage Fire
Anchorage Fire Department Communications Center was alerted by 911 callers of a house fire at 6430 Coach Circle just before 9 p.m. The home is located in a Campbell Tract subdivision west of Elmore Road and 68th Avenue. One of the callers was the homeowner reporting a fire in the attached garage of his single family residence.
Less than one minute from the first call being received eleven AFD units were dispatched to the fire. Truck 12 from the Dimond and Seward Highway area station was the first arriving crew within four minutes and called a Working Fire. They initiated a fast attack into the garage as additional arriving crews assisted with ventilation and a water supply. The quick actions of the responders brought the fire under control in five minutes and prevented extension into the living area.
All occupants and the family pets safely evacuated unharmed prior to the arrival of fire department personnel. No fire crew injuries were reported and Red Cross Assistance was not needed. The cause of the fire is believed to be accidental, possibly resulting from the homeowner working on a motorcycle. Fire damage was contained to the garage area with some smoke damage into the living areas. Restoration estimates are in the area of $10K.
Information & Invitation to Attend HazMat Exercises
On Sunday, April 27th
Contact Cleo Hill 317-8684
The Alaska Statewide Hazardous Materials Response Team is hosting a 3 day symposium at the Anchorage Fire Department Fire Training Center, 1140 Airport Heights Road, April 25 through 27th. On Sunday, April 27 there will be 3 simulated emergencies to demonstrate the capabilities of the statewide response teams. Scenario one involves the detection and identification of weapons of mass destruction, scenario two involves a railroad tank car with an ignitable and explosive product and scenario three involves an overturned tractor trailer tanker.
These events will take place from 10:15 AM to 12:15 PM and 1:15 PM to 3:15 PM. Instructors of the courses will be available for interviews during the 10:15 to 12:15 PM scenarios.
This symposium brings together a multitude of teams capable of deploying to any location in the State to respond to a hazardous materials release. Members of hazmat teams are joining together from jurisdictions across the State, Military and private industry; and State agencies to develop and practice their skills.
Parking will be off Merrill Field Drive, west off Airport Height Road, at the North side of the Fire Department site.
Anchorage Fire Department
For Immediate Release
4-24-2008
Contact Battalion Chief Tom Kempton
907-317-7233
Saturday Morning Korean Church Fire Declared Arson
Anchorage Fire Department fire investigators working with federal agents from Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), have determined that the fire that struck the Anchorage Korean Church of Christ, 3833 Parsons Avenue, in Mt. View on 4-19-2008 was intentionally set in an act of arson.
Investigations by the Anchorage Fire Department (AFD) and ATF, working cooperatively, revealed that the fire was sparked by a flammable liquid.
The morning of the fire in Mt. View, a specially trained accelerant detecting K-9, Jodie, provided by ATF and handled by Anchorage Fire Department, Deputy Chief Bridget Bushue detected the presence of an accelerant at the scene of the fire. Investigators dug into the scene and were able to rule out any accidental cause and were able to retrieve samples of the flammable material and other evidence that will be examined.
Initial property damage is estimated at over $100,000 dollars.
Investigators from AFD are asking anyone with information about this crime to call Crimestoppers of Anchorage. Callers that provide information leading to the arrest and conviction associated with this incident could be eligible for cash rewards. Callers to crimestoppers at 561-7867 can remain anonymous.
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Fire damages Mountain View church
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Firefighters say they got a call just after 4 a.m. of smoke and fire pouring out of the Anchorage Korean Church of Christ. (KTUU-TV)
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Anchorage Fire Department Battalion Chief Tom Kempton (KTUU-TV)
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by Jill Burke
Sunday, April 20, 2008
ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Members of a Mountain View church are in search of another place to worship after an early-morning fire tore through their building Sunday.
Firefighters say they got a call just after 4 a.m. of smoke and fire pouring out of the Anchorage Korean Church of Christ.
There was no one in the building at the time and firefighters were able to get the fire under control in about 15 minutes. Building owners say the last time anyone was inside the church was at about 4:30 p.m. Saturday.
"We don't have an actual damage estimate yet, an amount of monetary damage yet on it," Anchorage Fire Department Battalion Chief Tom Kempton said. "It's going to be pretty extensive with the smoke and fire damage to the structure and we don't have a cause yet."
Fire investigators are looking into what started the fire. They're asking anyone with information to contact the Anchorage Police Department at 786-8900 or Crime Stoppers at 561-7867.
Contact Jill Burke at jburke@ktuu.com | |
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Anchorage Korean Church of Christ
4-20-2008
For more information contact Battalion Chief, Tom Kempton
907-317-7233
A 911 call from a cell phone caller reported smoke and flames from the Anchorage Korean Church of Christ, 3833 Parsons Avenue in Mt. View, shortly after 4 AM this morning.
Firefighters from the Airport Heights Fire Station were first on the scene and reported a fire in this single story, wood frame church building. Fire was coming through both doors and windows on the South side of the structure. Firefighters established a water supply from a nearby hydrant and made a fire attack through a door on the street-side of the church. They were able to knock the fire down and call the fire under control in about 15 minutes.
Building owners stated the last time anyone had been inside the church was at approx. 4:30 PM Saturday. Worship services had been scheduled for the facility this morning. The pastor of the church said that he would be trying to find an alternative location for the church members to meet.
The fire extensively damaged the structure with fire damage to the roof and smoke damage throughout the church. No monetary damage estimate is available yet. Fire investigators were called to the church to begin to determine what started this fire.
Firefighters were still at the scene this morning, overhauling the damage and checking for hotspots and will be assisting fire investigators. There were no injuries reported and the church was unoccupied at the time of the fire.
For more information contact Tom Kempton 317-7233
Shortly before 10:00 AM today, a caller reported flames and smoke coming from the basement of the residence. A total of ten units responded and the fire was under control within 20 minutes. It was reported the fire originated in a trash can located in the furnace room. The fire was contained to the basement and no injuries were reported. The cause of fire was improperly extinguished smoking material; damage is estimated at approximately $75,000.
17 Anchorage Fire Department units responded after receiving numerous calls of black smoke coming from an apartment unit at 1117 Chugach Way. First in units found the occupant to the residence severely burned. The patient was transported to the hospital, however due to injuries sustained, later pronounced deceased. This is the 4th fatality fire of the year. Damages are estimated at $10,000. No other residents of the complex were reported injured or displaced. The cause is still under investigation at this time.
Anchorage Fire Department
4-10-08
Contact: Jeff Dobson 267-5066
The Anchorage Fire Department is pleased to announce the secondary phase of the newest firefighter recruit class. Thirty-one recruits recently completed their academic and practical training which began on November 27, 2007. These trainees have now been assigned to eight stations throughout the city; where their preliminary benchmark training has begun. From April to June these trainees will be completing live situational training and working at Stations 1 (Downtown); 3 (Airport Heights), 4 (Tudor), 5 (Spenard), 6 (Muldoon), 7 (Sand Lake), 12(Dimond) and 14 (Stuckagain). Each trainee will be paired with an experienced Firefighter. By June 1st the trainees will have met specific training benchmarks; which allows them to work without their Firefighter partner. From June to September they will continue to receive additional specialized training. After September the trainees may be assigned to additional stations and duties.throughout the City. Firefighter Trainees are on probation for a one year period. In April of 2009, they will receive their Firefighter Badges during the formal Anchorage Fire Deparment Badge Ceremony.
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