North Tongass Volunteer Fire Department, Ketchikan, Alaska

Ketchikan, Alaska - Sunday morning June 7th, at 6:52 a.m., members of the North Tongass Volunteer Fire Department responded to the area of 8385 North Tongass Highway for a report of a vehicle rollover with a person trapped inside.

http://www.sitnews.us/0609/061009/091009_rollover.html

April 08, 2009
Wednesday

Ketchikan, Alaska - If you were driving by the old pulp mill site last Saturday morning (April 4th) you might have wondered what was going on. Fire engines and water tankers were lined up waiting for their turn for action.

http://www.sitnews.us/0409news/040809/040809_ntvfd.html

January 06, 2009
Tuesday

I want to thank the four volunteers that gave my dad (Dale Gilmore) a ride to our house on Christmas day and picked him up and took him back to long term care.

010609_franny_weihing

2008

January 03, 2008
Thursday AM

Ketchikan, Alaska - 2007 was a year in which tragedies struck during the summer visitor season and again right before Christmas.

http://www.sitnews.us/0108news/010308/010308_yearinreview.html

January 12, 2008
Saturday AM

With all the tragedy that has befallen Ketchikan recently, I think a small group of people is consistently overlooked when it comes to "back patting" or "thank you's". This group consists for those civilian individuals who choose to get involved by calling 911 and assisting the victims in the earliest moments of an emergency.

http://www.sitnews.us/0108Viewpoints/011208_david_hull.html

January 07, 2008
Thursday

Ketchikan, Alaska - The North Tongass Volunteer Fire Department, in association with the North Tongass Fire & EMS Membership Association and the North Tongass Fire & EMS Service Area Board of Directors, will be holding a dedication ceremony Friday, February 8th starting at 6:30 pm. The ceremony will mark the dedication of the Fire Station located at 13110 North Tongass Highway, known as Station 8, in honor of James 'Jim' Elkins, former area Representative and the person at the forefront in the deliberations for funding to build fire stations in the North Tongass said NTVFD Fire Chief David Hull.

http://www.sitnews.us/0208news/020708/020708_ntvfd.html

Station 8 Dedication

November 18, 2008
Tuesday

Ketchikan, Alaska - If you need help, can those providing assistance find you?

house_numbers

November 24, 2008
Monday PM

The Ketchikan, North Tongass, and South Tongass Fire Departments; with assistance from the State of Alaska Division of Fire and Life Safety, presented the Juvenile Fire-setter Intervention Specialist-I class November 17th and 18th at the Ted Ferry Civic Center.

112408_jim_hill

December 16, 2008
Tuesday

Ketchikan, Alaska - The North Tongass Volunteer Fire Department held its annual Christmas Party and annual awards event at the North Tongass Community Club on Saturday, December 13th. At the annual event, four personnel were singled out for awards for their hard work and dedication in 2008.

121608_ntvfd_awards

December 23, 2008
Tuesday AM

I want to say a huge thank you to the North Tongass Volunteer Fire Department for adopting our family this year for Christmas. Also, a big thank you to Pt. Higgins Elementary for thinking of our family when it came time to choose!

122308_jessica_peavey

2007

January 02, 2007
Tuesday PM

I would like to add some comments to the proposed changes and doubling fees that the district is putting out is a lot of misinformation as well as half truths by adding a 3rd full time firefighter to the department.

http://www.sitnews.us/0107Viewpoints/010207_ed_fry.html

January 03, 2007
Wednesday PM

Regarding the proposed tax increase for North Tongass residents to fund additional firefight/EMT: I echo Ed Fry's statements regarding a feasibility study as well as more number-crunching. NTVFD call-out volume and call-out type, (minus canceled calls) would also be helpful information provided to the tax-paying public.

http://www.sitnews.us/0107Viewpoints/010307_jennifer_brewer.html

January 03, 2007
Wednesday PM

I believe to suggest that Residents in the [NT] North Tongass Fire and EMS Service Area, might agree to a FEE increase, is underhanded. This is another TAX INCREASE and is isolated in double-speak terminology to disguise and conceal the true sum of our TAX burden.

http://www.sitnews.us/0107Viewpoints/010307_ken_byland.html

January 06, 2007
Saturday

At the present time I am against hiring a new employee for the North Tongass VOLUNTEER Fire Department.

http://www.sitnews.us/0107Viewpoints/010607_mary_henrikson.html

January 09, 2007
Tuesday PM

I am against an increase in the service fee for additional personnel for the new North Tongass Fire Department. I was unable to go to the meeting due to horrible weather conditions and voice my opinion.

http://www.sitnews.us/0107Viewpoints/010907_cheryl_henley.html

January 09, 2007
Tuesday PM

I received a phone call from Steve Phillips, board member NTVFD, telling me I was wrong about the $95K pay package, that might be offered to a new full time employee of the North Tongass volunteer Fire Dept. I also found out from Mr. Phillips the requirements of a new employee, should a new employee be hired, would be in fact quite high: fire fighter I and EMT II. the pay for such talent might run between $71-77K for the package which includes medical, retirement and other aspects required by State Law. I was also told my "real" rate would be an increase of about 19%, not 100% because of a property tax millage decrease. In addition, if the insurance rating of the department goes up and all things remain equal my insurance rates might go down quite a bit. This is better news.

http://www.sitnews.us/0107Viewpoints/010907_mary_henrikson.html

January 10, 2007
Wednesday PM

Dear Viewpoints and North Tongass Residents:

Again, more half truths and sugarcoating; politics I do not do. Disapprovingly, the qualifications of an EMT I or II are a level that does provide some basic care, but they do not concur that of a Paramedic; the original article quoted a salary (did not mention benefits) of over $70K. When I retired from the lower 48, my base salary as a State certified Paramedic/Firefighter/Firefighter Instructor was no where near that salary, even with benefits and a funded Florida State Retirement Pension!

http://www.sitnews.us/0107Viewpoints/011007_ed_fry.html

January 13, 2007
Saturday PM

I have been following the recent discussions regarding the proposed addition of a paid firefighter/EMT II position for Ketchikan's North Tongass Fire Department (NTFD). As a person who spent the majority of his adult life (thus far) in the fire service, I would like to offer comment on what may become a contentious issue.

http://www.sitnews.us/0107Viewpoints/011307_kevin_murphy.html

April 05, 2007
Thursday PM

On behalf of the membership of the North Tongass Volunteer Fire Department, I want to express my condolences to the family and friends of Jim Elkins. Jim worked hard for the Ketchikan area and particularly hard for this department.

http://www.sitnews.us/0407Viewpoints/040507_david_hull.html

June 12, 2007
Tuesday

Ketchikan, Alaska - Forty-one firefighters from South Tongass Volunteer Fire Department, North Tongass Volunteer Fire Department and the Ketchikan Fire Department responded late Friday afternoon to a home fire located at 6292 Roosevelt Drive, approximately six miles south of Ketchikan.

http://www.sitnews.us/0607news/061207/061207_fire.html

August 13, 2007
Monday

Ketchikan, Alaska - Firefighter/EMT Scott Hildebrandt has joined North Tongass Volunteer Fire Department as their newest career member.

http://www.sitnews.us/0807news/081307/081307_ntfd.html081307_ntfd

August 20, 2007

Monday

Ketchikan, Alaska - A specialized team from the National Transportation Safety Board arrived in Ketchikan Friday to begin their in depth investigation into the cause of the second fatal air tour crash to occur in Ketchikan in the past three weeks.

http://www.sitnews.us/0807news/082007/082007_crash.html

November 13, 2007

Tuesday

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded $83,833 in an Assistance-to-Firefighters Grant (AFG) to the Metlakatla Volunteer Fire Department in Southeast Alaska.

http://www.sitnews.us/1107news/111307/111307_metlakatla.html

November 16, 2007

Friday

Ketchikan: Two confirmed cases of MRSA in Ketchikan School District - The Ketchikan Gateway Borough School District (KGBSD) announced Thursday that two confirmed cases of MRSA in school district have been reported. Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus commonly known as MRSA is a type of "staff" infection that is resistant to many antibiotics and frequently causes skin infections. If left untreated, MRSA can spread to a more serious illness stated the news release.

http://www.sitnews.us/1107news/111607/111607_mrsa.html

December 17, 2007

Monday

Ketchikan, Alaska - A home fire has claimed the lives of three Ketchikan children over the weekend. The two youngest children, ages 3 and 5, were pronounced dead on the scene and a seventeen year-old who was transported in critical condition for medical care was pronounced dead Saturday evening. The children succumbed to smoke inhalation.

http://www.sitnews.us/1207news/121707/121707_kfd.html

December 31, 2007

Monday

Ketchikan: One killed in North Tongass Highway Crash - Alaska State Troopers say an early-morning vehicle accident on the North Tongass Highway Saturday has killed a 24-year-old woman.

http://www.sitnews.us/1207news/123107/123107_accident.html

2006

January 23, 2006
Monday AM

Ketchikan, Alaska - After 9/11, firefighters and emergency medical service (EMS) personnel became the unsung heroes of America. Ask any firefighter or EMT and they'll say they're just doing their job, but how many jobs involve saving lives at the risk of their own?

http://www.sitnews.us/0106news/012306/012306_ntvfd.html

January 24, 2006

Tuesday

Ketchikan: Difference between life and death can be just a click away By M.C. KAUFFMAN - A piece of fabric can make the difference between walking away from an accident, being transported to a hospital, or worse - being transported to a morgue. Do you hear that life-saving click of your seat belt before you crank up that magnificently powerful machine and head out to work, the grocery store, cruising with your pals, or perhaps a special event? January 25, 2006

Wednesday AM

http://www.sitnews.us/SitnewsArchives/0106/012406_sitnews.html

January 25, 2006
Wednesday

Ketchikan: Can Emergency Responders Find You? By LOUISE BRINCK HARRINGTON - It was the middle of the night when North Tongass Fire Department EMS Lieutenant Jerry Kiffer got a radio call that an elderly woman was having a medical problem. During the call the 911 dispatcher, located in downtown Ketchikan, informed Kiffer that the woman lived near North Point Higgins Road and gave him the woman's address. But due to privacy regulations the dispatcher could not relay the woman's name.

http://www.sitnews.us/SitnewsArchives/0106/012506_sitnews.html

I have been doing this for a number of years now and it still amazes me to see who walks away from vehicle crashes and who needs to be carried away. Who is injured and who escapes. Who lives and who dies. The damage to the vehicle does not necessarily dictate the injuries the occupants receive. Sometimes it is luck. To say otherwise is ignoring the obvious. Having said that however, some of the luckiest people I have observed over the years all wore seatbelts. Do you wear yours? Do your kids wear theirs?

http://www.sitnews.us/0106Viewpoints/012506_david_hull.html

February 04, 2006
Saturday

Ketchikan, Alaska - Though the celebration went of without a hitch, it was not your typical ribbon-cutting ceremony.

It was a ceremony of traditions-both old and new.

http://www.sitnews.us/0206news/020406/020406_ribbon_cutting.html

March 01, 2006
Wednesday

Ketchikan, Alaska - After attending Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) courses around the community, twenty-seven Emergency Medical Technicians graduated Saturday after successfully completing their final testing.

http://www.sitnews.us/0306news/030106/030106_emt_graduates.html

March 15, 2006
Wednesday

Ketchikan: Crash kills one, injures five - Alaska State Troopers, the Ketchikan Police Department and North Tongass Fire Department responded to the area of 11.4 mile of the North Tongass highway Tuesday afternoon at approximately 3:12 pm to a report of a two vehicle collision.

http://www.sitnews.us/0306news/031505/031506_accident.html

April 18, 2006

Tuesday

Ketchikan, Alaska - No one was home at the time of the fire which destroyed the home of Robert and Vicki Inkster at 52 Carlton's Drive. The fire in the Pond Reef area north of Ketchikan was first discovered in its early stages by a neighbor, Derek Flom, who acted quickly and called 911. North Tongass Volunteer Fire Department Chief Dave Hull said the report of the fire came in at 12:30 pm Sunday, Easter day. Hull was on dispatch at the time and took the call. He said, "The report was of a fire on the outside front of the house that was building fast."

http://www.sitnews.us/SitnewsArchives/0406/041806_sitnews.html

April 27, 2006
Thursday

Ketchikan, Alaska - On May 1st, 2006, Gretchen Skillings will begin her duties as a City of Ketchikan career firefighter becoming Ketchikan's first woman to be hired as a firefighter. No stranger to the department, Skillings has served for thirteen years as an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) and five years as a dispatcher. She has been an active part of volunteer firefighter service since June 2004 and received her Firefighter II certification last year.

http://www.sitnews.us/0406news/042706/042706_firefighter.html

May 07, 2006
Sunday

Ketchikan, Alaska - If you have driven by the construction site for North Tongass Volunteer Fire Department's fire station #8 you might have seen trucks parked near the intersection. According to NTVFD Fire Chief Dave Hull, as of April 20th three rigs were moved from their former location at 12.5 mile North Tongass Highway to the new station 8 location at 13110 North Tongass Highway.

http://www.sitnews.us/0506news/050706/050706_ntvfd.html

May 12, 2006

North Tongass receives brand new ambulance through the Code Blue project.

http://www.braunnw.com/fireems_agiliti_typeone.php

May 22, 2006
Monday

Ketchikan, Alaska - Ken Kiffer, a charter member of the North Tongass Volunteer Fire Department, will retire from his position as volunteer firefighter/EMT III with the department effective May 31st. Kiffer has been an active volunteer firefighter/EMT in the North Tongass area for many years. "Well more than he will admit to anyway," said Chief Hull.

http://www.sitnews.us/0506news/052206/052206_ken_kiffer.html

June 24, 2006
Saturday

Ketchikan, Alaska - Throughout the day Friday officials were still investigating the cause of the fire at 618 Front Street which destroyed an unoccupied house Thursday afternoon. The home is owned by Jack Shay of Ketchikan.

http://www.sitnews.us/0606news/062406/062406_fire.html

July 10, 2006
Monday

Ketchikan, Alaska - The Ketchikan Fire Departments were honored Monday morning at City Hall with the presentation of a Legislative citation by Representative Jim Elkins of Ketchikan. The citation presented to the South Tongass Volunteer Fire Department, the North Tongass Fire Volunteer Department and the Ketchikan Fire Department commended the dedication of all the firefighters, and EMS workers. Also commended were Ketchikan doctors, Dr. Earnest Meloche and Dr. William Anthes.

http://www.sitnews.us/0706news/071006/071006_fire_department.html

October 02, 2006
Monday

Ketchikan, Alaska - According to information released by Jim Hill, Assistant Fire Chief of the Ketchikan Fire Department, just after 8:00 PM on Saturday , KFD received a 911 call reporting a fire at 212 Tatsuda. At that time, the caller(s) reported a woman and baby were still inside the residence.

http://www.sitnews.us/1006news/100206/100206_fire.html

November 17, 2006
Friday

Ketchikan, Alaska - - "North Tongass Volunteer Fire Department stands ready to respond to any and all calls when people in trouble need us, but PLEASE, ask people to slow down and take the road seriously," said NTVFD Chief David Hull. "We do not want the disastrous winter we had last year. I have seen a lot of people driving faster on these icy roads to 'somewhere' than I am allowing my personnel to drive in an emergency," said Hull.

http://www.sitnews.us/1106news/111706/111706_front_page.html

December 06, 2006
Wednesday AM

Ketchikan, Alaska - Dr. Ernie Meloche celebrated his 61st birthday Tuesday night with friends at the Saxman Tribal Hall. Dr. Meloche shared his poetry and songs he has written and presented a slideshow of photos he has taken on his travels around the world. He told tales of the things that have made his life so rich, sharing the funny stories of love, living and laughter.

http://www.sitnews.us/1206news/120606/120606_front_page.html

Decenber 31, 2006

Ketchikan, Alaska - Some Ketchikan residents in the North Tongass Fire & EMS Service Area could see an increase in their fiscal year 2007-2008 service area fees if a proposal to hire a third full-time firefighter for the North Tongass Volunteer Fire Department (NTVFD) is approved.

http://www.sitnews.us/SitnewsArchives/1206/123106_sitnews.html

2005

January 06, 2005
Thursday

Ketchikan, Alaska - With a steep gravel road making accessibility difficult, traffic along the North Tongass was blocked Wednesday as firefighters responded to a house fire at 4742 North Tongass Highway.

http://www.sitnews.us/0105news/010605/010605_house_fire.html

January 17, 2005
Monday

Ketchikan, Alaska - If you were to stop by at Station 2 on Saturday the 8th, you would have thought the world was coming to an end. There were people gathered in a room frantically going over notes and practicing skills, others were struggling to get into their protective clothing and breathing air packs, still others could be seen tying knots and hoisting tools with ropes or sitting in a cramped trailer answering questions about smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.

http://www.sitnews.us/0105news/011705/011705_firefighter_grads.html

January 18, 2005
Tuesday

Ketchikan, Alaska - The firefighting class that started on October 5, 2004 was taught under strict national standards and the students will receive a State of Alaska Firefighter I certification recognized by the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC).

http://www.sitnews.us/0105news/011805/011805Firefighters/011805_firefighters.html

January 24, 2005
Monday

The Alaska Division of Fire Prevention announced that no children under the age of 19 died from fire in Alaska in 2004. This is the first year without a child fire death in Alaska since recording began in 1961.

http://www.sitnews.us/0105news/012405/012405_fire_deaths.html

Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Fire Grants

AFG Success Stories
This page contains a synopsis of a fire department that has been awarded an AFG Grant.

North Tongass Volunteer Fire Department
Ketchikan, Alaska

What They Bought With the Grant:

· Training for firefighters and EMS

· Personal protective equipment

· Firefighting and rescue equipment

· Wellness and fitness activities

http://www.firegrantsupport.com/afg/stories/ntongass.aspx

February 03, 2005
Thursday

Ketchikan, Alaska - At the first anniversary celebration Tuesday night, Lieutenant Jerry Kiffer was awarded the first ever Firefighter of the Year Award presented by the members of the North Tongass Volunteer Fire Department (NTVFD).

http://www.sitnews.us/0205news/020305/020305_kiffer.html

April 1, 2005
Friday

On Saturday April 2nd the North Tongass Volunteer Fire Department in conjunction with both the Ketchikan Fire Department and the South Tongass Volunteer Fire Department will be conducting an extended tanker drill from 10:00 in the morning to around 1:00 p.m. The purpose of the drill is to test our ability to deliver 250 gallons of water per minute for a period of two hours. This is a basic test that ISO, the insurance rater, requires in determining classification rates. The lower the ISO rate, the better the insurance rate that is available.

http://www.sitnews.us/0405Viewpoints/040105_dave_hull.html

April 5, 2005
Tuesday

The drill on Saturday, April 2nd was very successful. Not only were we able to meet our goal of 250 gallons per minute water flow, we were able to up that to 500 gallons per minute and still kept up. The pictures show some of the drill site, including the equipment and personnel involved. Everyone worked hard to make the drill a success.

http://www.sitnews.us/0405Viewpoints/040505_david_hull.html

May 17, 2005
Tuesday

Ketchikan, Alaska - The month of May has been a busy time for the members of the North Tongass Volunteer Fire Department, South Tongass Volunteer Fire Department and the Ketchikan Fire Department.

Lt. Jerry Kiffer is finishing up on an Emergency Trauma Technician (ETT) class that will test out this Saturday May 21st at Station 6, 7332 NTH . The Emergency Trauma Technician (ETT) class is a great class and gives the student training in life saving skills and proper patient handling.

http://www.sitnews.us/0505news/051705/051705_training.html

May 31, 2005
Tuesday

Ketchikan, Alaska - The Ketchikan Volunteer Search and Rescue (KVSR) recently provided training to Guardian Flight medics and nurses which will increased local search and rescue response capability during weather that will not allow planes and helicopters to fly to outlying islands for medical transport.

http://www.sitnews.us/0505news/053105/053105_training.html

June 10, 2005
Friday - 1:45 am

Ketchikan, Alaska - With sirens screaming down North Tongass highway, firefighters from three local fire departments and the United States Forest Service responded quickly to a brush fire that reportedly began near the west end of North Point Higgins Elementary School around 4 pm Thursday. With Ketchikan experiencing very dry conditions and afternoon winds, the fire quickly spread from the west to the east running a line behind the North Point Higgins' parking lot toward two water cisterns that supply water to the elementary school.

http://www.sitnews.us/0605news/061005/061005_fire.html

June 11, 2005
Saturday

I want to personally thank all of the great professional help that responded to Point Higgins School on Thursday afternoon. Every one of the participants was a true professional. There were volunteer firefighters from every part of this community, career members of the Ketchikan Fire Department, Alaska State Troopers, Temsco, KVRS, Forest Service, School Officials, Ward Cove Market making us incredible pizza, and we have to thank all the employers who let their volunteer firefighter employees off to fight the fire. The list goes on for quite a while.

http://www.sitnews.us/0605Viewpoints/061105_david_hull.html

June 17, 2005
Friday

This is another plea for fire safety. The City Fire Department had a very busy day on Wednesday and needs to be commended for their professionalism and their skill in responding to all of the calls. No large losses and no one got hurt. While all that was going on in the City, Darlene Guzman, the fire dispatcher, had to tone North Tongass Volunteer Fire Department out on a couple of EMS calls. The dispatchers are often the unsung heroes during an emergency and the fire dispatchers sure got a workout on Thursday. Let's give them a little breather, what say.

http://www.sitnews.us/0605Viewpoints/061705_david_hull.html

June 19, 2005
Sunday

Ketchikan, Alaska - Jeff Owings completed his Eagle Scout project at Fire Station #1 with a donation of 20 backboards he constructed with the help of other Scouts and local businesses. Members of four local fire agencies were on-hand Friday afternoon for the presentation of the backboards which are used to carry injured persons.

http://www.sitnews.us/0605news/061905/061905_eagle_scout_project.html

June 21, 2005
Tuesday

Ketchikan, Alaska - Due to the continuing dry conditions Borough Manager Roy Eckert, in cooperation with Fire Chief Mark Malone of the South Tongass Volunteer Fire Department and Fire Chief David Hull of the North Tongass Volunteer Fire Department, is calling for a ban on all outside burning in the Ketchikan Gateway Borough until such time as the weather conditions are more favorable. Recent fire events in both the City and in the Borough have highlighted the very real danger of the drought like conditions locally.

http://www.sitnews.us/0605news/062105/062105_burn_ban.html

June 27, 2005
Monday

Ketchikan, Alaska - An 11-year old girl was injured when she ran into the roadway without looking and was struck by a passing vehicle. The accident took place around 4:16 pm Sunday at 11.2 mile North Tongass Highway.

http://www.sitnews.us/0605news/062705/062705_accident.html

Summer 2005

The Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) and Rural Fire Assistance (RFA) programs provide assistance in training, equipment purchases, and prevention activities, on a cost share basis. The assistance is provided to increase firefighter safety, improve the fire fighting capabilities of rural volunteer fire departments, and enhance protection in the urban-wildland interface.

http://www.dnr.state.ak.us/forestry/pdfs/04VFARFAAwards.pdf

July 01, 2005
Friday

Ketchikan, Alaska - With the recent rainy weather dampening the area enough to lower the fire danger in all regions, the request for a curtailment of open burning has been lifted. North Tongass Volunteer Fire Department Chief Dave Hull said, "The National Weather Service is calling for a chance of showers through the Fourth of July weekend, but we all know it won't rain on the parade." In spite of the weather prediction, the danger is not completely past, said Fire Chief Hull.

http://www.sitnews.us/0705news/070105/070105_burn_ban_lifted.html

August 11, 2005
Thursday

Ketchikan, Alaska - "Word has just arrived from Stan McCoy, the Fire Management Officer with the Ketchikan-Misty Fiords Ranger District, that a high fire danger warning was issued today for the Ketchikan area because of the dry conditions and winds," said Dave Hull, Chief of the North Tongass Volunteer Fire Department.

http://www.sitnews.us/0805news/081105/081105_burn_ban.html

August 17, 2005
Wednesday

Ketchikan, Alaska - Ketchikan residents along with residents in other Alaska communities are seeing an increase in emergency response and law enforcement activity this week as operation Alaska Shield/Northern Edge is in full swing.

http://www.sitnews.us/0805news/081705/081705_ketchikan_drills.html

August 19, 2005
Friday

Ketchikan, Alaska - In a fictitious scenario set in Ketchikan for a large scale Alaska Shield/Northern Edge training exercise, "Charles Smedley" sets off some homemade potassium cyanide bombs at Alaska Marine Highway System headquarters Thursday killing several people and injuring many others. "Smedley" aimed to do in his wife "Martha" and have it blamed on the terrorists who were recently in Ketchikan to poison the salad bar.

http://www.sitnews.us/0805news/081905/081905_akshield_noedge.html

December 12, 2005
Monday

Ketchikan, Alaska - The North Tongass Volunteer Fire Department celebrated Christmas with a casual holiday potluck dinner at Clover Pass Resort Saturday, December 10th. Yearly awards were presented at the dinner including the first ever EMS Person and Support Person of the Year Awards. This year's recipients are Firefighter of the Year, Lieutenant Paul Hook; Support Person of the Year, Jill Giles, A-Team Member; and EMS Person of the Year, Jack Rodgers, EMT II.

http://www.sitnews.us/1205news/121205/121205_ntvfd_awards.html

2004

January 29, 2004
Thursday - 12:30 am

North Tongass Fire Department Chief Steve DeChellis said the North Tongass Fire Department is now prepared to respond to all fires and EMS calls in the North Tongass District.

http://www.sitnews.us/0104news/012904/012904_ntfd_news.html

March 10, 2004
Wednesday - 1:10 am

Lt. Jerry Kiffer, Program Manager for the North Tongass Fire Department 's (NTFD) Emergency Medical Services, said since February 1, 2004, the NTFD officially began providing the North Tongass service area residents with fire and ambulance services. Kiffer said since the 1st of February, they have responded to three fire calls and six medical calls.

http://www.sitnews.us/0304news/031004/031004_ntfd_news.html

May 21, 2004
Friday

Ketchikan, AK - It was a blessing that no one was injured during the fire that completely destroyed Kathleen Diggs' home at 210 Strawberry Road last Friday morning. A week ago, three people lived in the home, one a child. Now their home, clothing, furniture and all their belongings are gone - but not their friends and neighbors and not their community.

http://www.sitnews.us/0504news/052104/052104_diggs_fundraisers.html

September 06, 2004
Monday

Ketchikan, Alaska - What has been called a stubborn blaze caused substantial damage Sunday to a three-story house located above the downtown tunnel at 411 Front Street. According to information provided by David Hull of the Ketchikan Fire Department, the fire was difficult to fight due to the construction and the age of the building. Firefighters were eventually pulled off the structure when smoke and fire conditions along with increasing instability of the structure itself made interior operations too dangerous for the firefighters.

http://www.sitnews.us/0904news/090604/090604_fire.html

2003

March 12, 2003
Wednesday - 12:15 am

Ketchikan: Voters who turned out at the polls overwhelming said yes to forming a North Tongass Fire and EMS Service Area according to the unofficial results of Tuesday's special election. There were 396 yes votes reported to 49 no votes. Voting in the special election was limited to those residents of the proposed new service area.

http://www.sitnews.net/0303news/031203_unofficial_results.html

June 18, 2003
Wednesday - 9:20 pm

Ketchikan, AK - Alaska State Troopers and firefighters from the South Tongass Volunteer Fire Department and City of Ketchikan Fire Department responded to a house fire Wednesday morning at approximately 10:50 am near Mile 15 North Tongass Highway.

http://www.sitnews.net/0603news/061803/061803_fire.html

August 02, 2003
Saturday

Ketchikan, AK - On Friday evening, over 200 hundred people gathered in Ketchikan to honor Lt. David "Dave" Hull of the Ketchikan Fire Department on his official retirement - or as Hull expressed earlier, his graduation. Hull has served as a firefighter for over twenty years and has also contributed over eight years of volunteer service.

http://www.sitnews.us/0803news/080203/080203_hull_retires.html

August 11, 2003
Monday - 12:40 pm

Ketchikan, AK - On Sunday, August 3rd, the North Tongass Fire Department received a new tanker truck at a cost of $220,000. On order are two more tankers, two fire engines and an ambulance.

http://www.sitnews.us/PhotoGallery/DickKauffman/NewsInPhotos/081103_ntfd.html

August 12, 2003
Tuesday - 1:15 pm

The North Tongass Fire & EMS Department located at 7332 North Tongass Highway will hold an Open House on Sunday, August 17, 2003 from 1:00 to 4:00 PM.

http://www.sitnews.us/0803news/081203/081203_ntfd_open_house.html

August 12, 2003
Tuesday - 1:15 pm

Ketchikan, Alaska - The new fire chief of the North Tongass Fire Department is Steve De Chellis. De Chellis said he was born in 1952 and raised in Glendale, a town outside of Los Angeles. He lived in Glendale and worked for the Los Angeles Fire Department for 20 years before retiring in 1993.

http://www.sitnews.us/PhotoGallery/DickKauffman/NewsInPhotos/081203_ntfd_DeChilles.html

Release Date: October 9, 2003
Release Number: R10-04-09

» 2003 Region X News Releases

Anchorage, AK -- Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response, announced 122 grants to fire departments throughout the U.S. in the eighteenth round of the 2003 Assistance to Firefighters Grant program. The grants will ultimately total approximately 7,000 awards worth $750 million in direct assistance to firefighters. Included in the announcement of this latest round was an award of $335,643 to the North Tongass Volunteer Fire Department for fire operations and firefighter safety.

http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=5761

October 16, 2003
Thursday - 12:45 am

Ketchikan, AK - Most people think of Halloween as a time for fun and treats. However, roughly four times as many children ages 5-14 are killed while walking on Halloween evening compared with other evenings of the year, and falls are a leading cause of injuries among children on Halloween.

http://www.sitnews.us/1003news/101603/101603_ntfd_safety_tips.html

November 3, 2003
Monday - 12:10 am

Ketchikan, Alaska - Saturday, thirty firefighters from the Ketchikan City Fire Department, along with four firefighters from the South Tongass Volunteer Fire Department, and two firefighters from the North Tongass Fire Department conducted firefighting training for approximately four hours at two vacant houses on the corner of Madison Street and 4th Avenue.

http://www.sitnews.us/1103news/110303/110303_fire_fighting.html

2002

September 02, 2002
Monday - 2:00 pm

A Memorandum of Agreement between the Pond Reef Volunteer Fire Department and the Ketchikan Gateway Borough that would allow for the Borough to acquire the private volunteer fire department's assets and make the transition from a private to a public fire service will be considered by the Assembly at their next regular meeting scheduled for Tuesday, September 3, 2002. The meeting will be held in the Ketchikan City Council Chambers and is scheduled to begin at 5:30 pm.

http://www.sitnews.net/0902news/090202_pond_reef.html

May 09, 2002
Thursday - 8:40 pm

Ketchikan: Pond Reef Fire Dept. responded to a fire on Moore Drive in the North Point Higgins area around 6:30 pm Thursday evening.

http://www.sitnews.org/0502news/050902_fire.html