• Between 05/01/2022 and 05/27/2022, the Bethel Fire Department responded to 73 EMS and 11 Fire incidents.
• On 05/03/2022 at 4:31 a.m., Firefighters responded to Ptarmigan Road for the report of a vehicle fire. Upon arrival, Firefighters observed an SUV that was fully engulfed in flames. Firefighters deployed hose lines and extinguished the fire. The cause of the fire was unintentional.
• On 05/19/2022 at 4:52 p.m., Firefighters responded to Kasayuli Subdivision for the report of a grass fire. Upon arrival, the fire was already extinguished by a resident. The cause of the fire was unintentional.
• On 05/22/2022 at 9:57 a.m., Firefighters responded to the Bethel Landfill for the report of a dump fire. Upon arrival, Firefighters observed an approximately ½ acre area that was burning. Firefighters deployed hose lines, master streams, and coordinated Public Works Water Tenders and an excavator to extinguish the fire.
• On 05/26/2022 at 11:26 a.m., Firefighters responded to Alex Hately Drive for the report of a structure fire. Upon arrival, Firefighters observed light smoke emitting from the home and found the fire was extinguished by the resident. The cause of the fire was unintentional.
• The department is soon to enter a memorandum of understanding agreement with the Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation to provide EMS transports of intoxicated persons (non-medical) to the YKHC Sobering Center. This will free up valuable resources for the YKDRH Emergency Department.
• The Bethel Fire Department’s State of Alaska EMT-1 (2019 Scope of Practice) Initial course started on March 21, 2022, and will conclude with certification testing on June 10-11, 2022.
• Staff are completing online training to become certified as State of Alaska Fire Investigator Technicians (AKFIT).
• New staff and volunteers are receiving continuous Driver/Operator training on the handling characteristics, operation of specialty equipment, care, maintenance, and safety of the department’s ambulances and fire apparatus.
