The group speaking out against talk of a municipal takeover of the Chugiak Volunteer Fire Department is growing.
The chief of Girdwood's volunteer fire department, which would also be at risk of extinction, is critical of any municipal plan to takeover volunteers in either community.
Already on record opposing the idea are state Rep. Bill Stoltze and Anchorage Assemblyman Dan Kendall, both of Chugiak, and several Chugiak fire department officials and local residents.
Mayor Mark Begich was met Sunday not only by his supporters but by protestors at his Inaugural Picnic in Eagle River. In Girdwood, a group of community members wore buttons supporting the volunteer firefighters at their community picnic Saturday.
Talk about a possible takeover of the Chugiak and Girdwood volunteer fire departments escalated July 8 when a report by a public safety transition team assembled by Begich was released. The report stated, "Services could be improved by integrating the Anchorage-Chugiak-Girdwood response teams."
Chugiak and Girdwood fire departments operate in service areas. People in Chugiak and Girdwood pay fewer tax dollars for fire service than other municipal residents and are provided with service by volunteer firefighters on a contract basis.
Emergency medical service, however, is set at the same rate for the entire municipality. Tom Kempton, spokesman for the Anchorage Fire Department, said earlier this month that EMS responders for Chugiak and Girdwood are a liability for Anchorage. He said the fire department is now exploring what it would take to provide a 24-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week, EMS in Girdwood and Chugiak.
Girdwood chief William Chadwick said the EMS talk is a veiled way to takeover Girdwood and Chugiak bank accounts.
"This is not a liability issue," said Chadwick. "We have paramedics and (emergency medical technicians) that provide outstanding service and never have we heard about a liability issue. I've got a pretty high fund balance. That money is burning a hole in the (municipality's) pocket."
Chadwick said his 42-member volunteer fire department has been in existence since the late 1950s, and provided EMS for 30 years. He said in that time the department has never had a complaint or lawsuit about medical care.
Chadwick said since an article about takeover talks was published in The Star he has received at least 30 phone calls from community members asking what they can do to make sure the fire department doesn't go away.
In Chugiak, the public has done the same.
Chris Calkins, who was among a handful or protestors at Sunday's picnic, said he will stand up for the fire department.
"We are here to support the volunteer fire department," said Calkins. "We won't let them go away without a fight."
Calkins and his family also participated in a protest March 18 at the Loussac Library in Anchorage. That night, the Anchorage Assembly heard comments about a proposed service area change to move the Powder Ridge subdivision from Chugiak to Anchorage Fire Service Area. Their signs read, "Save Chugiak Vol. Fire Department."
Another person speaking up for Chugiak firefighters is John Mitchell. Mitchell, a Chugiak resident since 1988, said he is beginning to circulate a petition in support of the department.
"These guys give up their weekends and evenings to help protect our community," said Mitchell. "I support their effort and am going to do everything in my power to make sure nothing happens to them."
Kempton said Monday that no meeting has been set to discuss the possible service area changes. Anchorage Fire Chief John Fullenwider wrote in an email that he is not ready to comment on the situation.
"There seems to be a lot of talk about an event that is under discussion but has not occurred. Until our administration (Mayor) decides what direction to take concerning the transition report, an interview or comments from me would be premature," he wrote.
Reach the reporter at gdart@alaskastar.com
