Anchorage - In an effort to meet the increasing need for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in the Anchorage area, the Anchorage Fire Department (AFD) is expanding its ambulance resources from nine to eleven units, a 22% increase in service availability. This no-net-cost expansion of EMS service is necessary as the Anchorage area has experienced a 72% increase in emergent patient transports over the period from 2002-2015.
Under the leadership of the Mayor Berkowitz, Fire Chief LeBlanc and Sr. Captain Stumbaugh, a joint agreement with the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), Local 1264 and the AFD, has allowed for the addition of these two ambulances to better serve the growing needs of Anchorage through the efficient reallocation of existing Firefighter / Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) resources. The two additional units, identified as Medic 81 and Medic 82, will be based at Fire Station 1, located in downtown Anchorage, but will be available for response needs throughout the community. These units will be each staffed by two EMTs who are also qualified Fire Fighters. This diversified deployment of resources allows the Anchorage Fire Department to better address the needs of the citizens and visitors within the Anchorage area, while maintaining adequate response capabilities for emergencies throughout the city.
The two new Ambulances will begin service on April 18th and will assist in addressing the over 10,000 requests for Emergency Medical assistance in the downtown area in 2015, a volume of requests which has steadily increased over the last decade.
For more information, please contact Deputy Chief Jodie Hettrick 907-267-4936
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