With only six volunteers assigned to Capital City Fire/Rescue’s Lynn Canal station, the department is looking to recruit more people before that number slides further.
According to CCFR Assistant Chief Ed Quinto, an open house for prospective volunteers will take place at the Lynn Canal fire station, 17900 Glacier Highway, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Aug. 20.
The department has 36 career firefighters that are currently supplemented by 75 volunteers areawide. Due to Lynn Canal’s location, Quinto said that volunteers from that area are often the first ones able to get to victims of motor vehicle accidents before other station apparatuses arrive, which greatly increases survival rate. An increased response to fires can also mean more expediently extinguished fires.
Although fire fighting is one area that requires more volunteers, not all volunteers are sent into burning buildings. Quinto said some volunteers assist with scene support, special rope and water teams, hazmat teams and driver/operator positions. Emergency medical services are also needed.
CCFR provides all of the training and equipment at no charge for volunteers, and no previous experience is necessary to join.
“You can give back to your community by making it a safer place to live, work and play,” Quinto said in a statement to the Empire. “By being a volunteer in your district, you will be able to provide additional response to your neighbors, family and friends.”
During the Aug. 20 open house, Lynn Canal volunteers will be on hand to answer questions, and hot dogs and hamburgers will be served.
Applications to become a volunteer can be picked up at CCFR headquarters at 820 Glacier Ave., or downloaded from Juneau.org/CCFR.
For more information, visit Juneau.org/CCFR, Juneaufire.com, the department’s Facebook page facebook.com/Capital-City-Fire-Rescue-313380332197871/ or call CCFR Assistant Chief Ed Quinto at 586-0259.
