Girdwood Fire and Rescue gets new crash extrication equipment

New equipment will improve timeliness of crash responses on local roadways

By Jon Scudder

Turnagain News

The Girdwood Fire Department was amongst several fire departments to receive life-saving rescue tools aiding first responders in expediting the extrication of crash victims. 

“We often are responding in crazy weather to terrible high-speed collisions, and we had some of the oldest tools in southcentral Alaska in frontline service,” said Girdwood Fire and Rescue Chief Michelle Weston, who expressed her elation with the modernization of extrication tools delivered during an event held April 25 at the Girdwood Fire Station. 

“The equipment was worked very hard over the past 24 years,” added Weston, recalling the previous equipment received in 1999 by Senator Ted Stevens. “I was in the station when we received that set, it was heartwarming to receive the new set and think of all the lives the old set were a part of saving.” 

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. 

“This equipment is going to save the lives of our friends, family, and community members,” said Weston. “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.” 

Girdwood Fire and Rescue Department’s new equipment was just part of more than $450,000 of new extrication tools which will soon be put into service on Alaska's highways. Purchased for the Girdwood Fire and Kenai Peninsula Borough fire departments, the funding for this equipment was made possible by private and corporate donations, and two grants - a $116,000 Highway Safety grant facilitated by the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities Highway Safety Office and a $312,000 direct appropriation by the 32nd Alaska Legislature. 

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.” 

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.” 

Weston echoed Micciche comments expressing her gratitude to those who made the funding possible, “Thank you to everyone who’s donated funds to help us. This is an investment in saving lives of our family, friends and community members. This meant the total world to me,” she ended. 

Photo Cutline (courtesy of Girdword Fire and Rescue): The delivery of the new extrication equipment was held Tuesday, April 25, 2023, at 1 p.m. at the Girdwood Fire Station. Those in attendance to celebrate the acquisition of this important equipment included Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Peter Micciche and DOT&PF Central Region Director Wolfgang Junge, along with Girdwood Fire Chief Michelle Weston, Bear Creek Chief Richard Brackin, and Western Services Deputy Fire Chief Rob Mathis, and other members of the department.