Chena-Goldstream invites public for inside look at fire operation

Chena-Goldstream Fire & Rescue began as a grassroots operation more than 30 years ago and evolved into a subscription-based service in which homeowners were glad to pay $250 per year for a measure of protection.

The system came under fire when a few homes belonging to nonsubscribers burned. Department volunteers were placed in the impossible position of having to refuse to respond, then faced critics who said they should have done something regardless of subscription status.

In 1985, Chena-Goldstream residents extinguished the no-response controversy by voting 472-90 to tax themselves and create a service area covering territory from Chena Ridge to Goldstream.

Today, the department has four fire stations — on Chena Ridge, Goldstream Road, Old Murphy Dome Road and Becker Ridge — and about 50 volunteers. In addition, there is a paid chief, a training captain, an EMS coordinator and a secretary.

Each station has a fire engine and a tanker that are called upon to go almost anywhere in the 79 square miles covered by the department.

There also are three ambulances that respond to emergencies across 739 square miles of the borough road system.

At least two of the stations are on land donated by residents. Ivan Vail provided the land on Old Murphy Dome Road, while Niilo and Joan Koponen donated land on Chena Ridge. Ivan and Niilo were among the original volunteers.

At the Chena Ridge Koponen station, which is about two miles from Chena Pump, the department is holding an open house from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday.

Drop by for demonstrations, displays, tours, refreshments and balloons. The fire crews will show how an airbag is used to lift a car off a victim, demonstrate what a water rescue is like and let you see how people are rescued from crashed vehicles.

The department tells me that new volunteers are always welcome to join the brigade. If you have any interest in helping, there will be information about joining the department and what firefighting is like. There also will be information about what steps you can take at home to limit the chances of having the fire engines race to your home some day.

by Dermot Cole
06.30.11 - 10:59 pm

Dermot Cole can be reached at cole [at] newsminer [dot] com or 459-7530.

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