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| 21 December 2006 |
North Star Fire ends year with another successful grant |
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North Pole, Alaska: The most recent grant was received in November 2006. The department
received $106,257 from the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program – Operations and Safety Program. North Star is currently
one of only two fire departments in the State of Alaska to receive funding this year from this grant program.
Full Press Release - 12/21/06 North Star Fire Receives Grants
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| 21 December 2006 |
North Star Fire Sees Increase In Activity |
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North Pole, Alaska: North Star Volunteer Fire Department has been very busy recently responding to several building fires and chimney fires, as well as smoke investigation situations involving a variety of problems. For more details see full press release.
Full Press Release - 12/21/06 Multiple Alarms
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| 18 December 2006 |
Vehicle Stolen in Fairbanks burns in North Pole |
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North Pole, Alaska: On Monday at about 9:00 PM the North Star Volunteer Fire Department responded to a report of an unknown fire in the area of Plack & Nelson Road. The 911 caller reported hearing a loud bang and saw a fire thru the trees. When fire fighters arrived a few minutes later they found a pick up truck on fire in a gravel pit about ¼ mile off Plack Road and not accessible to fire apparatus. The vehicle was found on its side heavily involved in fire. The vehicle was checked and no occupants were found.
When the license plate number was provided to Dispatch, they advised the vehicle had been stolen from a parking lot in Fairbanks earlier the same evening.
Tire tracks in the area indicated the vehicle had been driven in an erratic manor (spinning brodies, etc) around the gravel pit then rolled. Foot tracks were found leading from the fire area to Plack & Nelson Road.
Vehicle involved was a 1999 Mazda pick up red in color registered to Dawn & Daniel Williams of Fairbanks.
Anyone with information on the vehicle theft or the fire is asked to contact the Fairbanks Police Department at 450-6500.
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| 7 December 2006 |
STRUCTURE FIRE |
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North Pole, Alaska: Approximately 5:30 PM, the North Star Volunteer Fire
Department was dispatched to a reported structure fire on Schutzen Street while on scene of a multi - vehicle accident. The caller to 911 reported the fire to be in the kitchen and he was evacuating
the residential structure. Units from scene immediately cleared and additional engines responded from Station 1 and 3.
Four North Star VFD engines responded to the fire scene, along with a mutual aid engine from the City of North Pole. The fire was quickly knocked down and fire and smoke damage
was contained to the main floor.
North Star Command requested the Alaska Red Cross to respond to the scene to assist the building occupants.
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| 6 December 2006 |
STRUCTURE FIRE |
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North Pole, Alaska: At 1:07 AM, the North Star Volunteer Fire
Department was dispatched to a reported structure fire at 1705 Parham McCormick Road, off of Plack Road. The caller reporting the fire to 911
stated the house had flames showing, and was nearly all the way to the end of Parham McCormick Road. Firefighters responding suspected the location
may be outside the boundaries of the North Star Fire Service Area but continued to respond until it was verified there were no lives threatened and
to confirm the exact location.
North Star VFD command officers arrived on scene at 1:13 AM, and found a 14 by 60 foot single story wood frame structure with flames showing and all occupants safely outside the building.
Suppression efforts were initiated but once it was determined by fire personnel that all occupants were safely outside the structure and there was no further threat to life, responding firefighters and engines terminated operations and returned to quarters.
North Star VFD command officers confirmed the location to be out of fire protection area and requested AST, GVEA, and the Alaska Red Cross to respond to the scene to assist the building occupants and to disconnect electrical power to the house. The building was destroyed by the fire and there were no injuries to the occupants.
If you have questions about your location and fire protection status, please feel free to contact the station at 488-3400.
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| 3 December 2006 |
Snowmachine Accident: Badger and Joy Road |
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North Pole, Alaska: 5:00 PM the North Star Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to a reported
snowmachine accident with injuries. A caller to 911 was reporting two snowmachines collided with injuries.
North Star VFD firefighters and engine arrived on scene and assisted three patients with North Pole Ambulance crews.
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| 20 November 2006 |
BUILDING FIRE: Keeling Road |
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North Pole, Alaska: 9:30 AM the North Star Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to a reported structure fire at 550 Keeling Road, off of Persinger Road. A caller to 911 was reporting flames
and smoke visible from a single family home.
North Star VFD firefighters and engines arrived on scene within 7 minutes and found a 20 by 30 foot one story wood frame house with heavy black/brown smoke showing throughout the house and a large volume of fire from the entire area
under the floor. Outside temperatures of -25 degrees F complicated the suppression efforts. Mutual Aid assistance was provided by Fort Wainwright and the City of Fairbanks Fire Departments. There were no injuries as a result of this fire.
[11-20-06 Structure fire full Press Release and photos]
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| 18 November 2006 |
Firefighter-One Students train in Fairbanks |
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Fairbanks, AK: Recruit Firefighter students from five local volunteer fire departments (North Star Volunteer Fire Department,
North Pole Fire Department, Steese Area Volunteer Fire Department, Chena Goldstream Fire and Rescue, and Ester Volunteer Fire Department) conducted live-fire and other
training drills at the Fairbanks Regional Training Center on Lathrop Street. These training drills provided hands-on training in the methods of fire attack, building search and rescue procedures, and vertical ventilation, despite temperatures of minus 25 degrees F. most of the day.
Trainees were also provided instruction in fire behavior, fire hose deployment, fire ground safety, use of personal protective equipment and self contained breathing apparatus, and forcible entry hand and power tools. Instructors were provided by all five fire departments.
Photo provided by Catherine Grieve, North Star Volunteer Fire Department Photographer.
[11-18-06 Training Press Release and photos]
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| 10 November 2006 |
Fire Destroys Home |
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North Pole, AK: A fire destroyed a 1 ½ story home located at 3811 Lyle Road off Nelson.
The fire was reported by a neighbor who saw flames thru the trees and called 911.
When the fire department arrived there was a significant amount of flames thru the roof of the home. The fire was
brought under control within 20 minutes and declared out an hour later. Three engines and 11 volunteers from North
Star Vol Fire Department responded along with a fire engine and three fire fighters from the North Pole Fire Department.
Ft. Wainwright Fire / Rescue responded an engine company to back fill the North Star Fire Station. Red Cross was notified
and provided assistance to the mother and child (occupants) displaced by the fire.
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| 1 November 2006 |
Snowmachine, truck collide on Badger Road |
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North Pole, AK: A 30-year-old man died after his snowmachine collided with a 1997
Dodge pickup truck shortly after noon Wednesday in front of a convenience store on Badger Road, according to Alaska State
Troopers.
Rescue 31 and firefighters from North Star Volunteer Fire Department and North Pole Ambulance responded.
Traffic on the road was stopped in both directions for about 30 minutes.
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| 24 October 2006 |
Winter has arrived |
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North Pole, AK: Road conditions deteriated rapidly in the district causing
multiple accidents throughout the day. Engine crews from North Star V.F.D. and North Pole Ambulance were on the
treacherous roads for most of the day.
Take the time to leave early and arrive to your destination without any problems.
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| 12 June 2006 |
Engine and Brush unit respond to fire |
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North Pole, AK: Engine 38 and Brush 32 responded to work the fire with State Forestry in Nenana. Brush 32 was replaced with Engine 311 early this week. Engine 38 and Engine 311 crews have been working the now 65,500 plus acre fire that is threatening homes along with other departments around the area and state.
Fire information can be found at http://www.parkshighwayfire.com
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| 13 March 2006 |
Early Morning Blaze in Unoccupied Resident |
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NORTH POLE - Monday morning, at 8:14 AM, the North Star Volunteer Fire Department responded to a reported structure fire at 1497
Peggy Street, off of the Old Richardson Highway. Firefighters arrived on scene within 7 minutes and found a 30 by 35 foot
one-and-a-half story ‘A’ frame type residential house with heavy fire showing from the front windows on both floors and at the ridge peak of the roof on the left side. Mutual aid assistance was requested from the North Pole, Fort Wainwright, and Fairbanks Fire Departments.
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| 23 May 2006 |
Vandals Cause Damage to Kendall Park |
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North Pole, AK: On Tuesday evening about 10:30 PM vandals set fire to an out house located in Kendal Park located off Bobana St. (4.5m Badger Road).
The fire was discovered by a neighbor across the street. When fire fighters arrived 3 minutes later the structure had
already been consumed. The fire had extended into some brush along the fence to the Investigation revealed the fire had
been intentionally set. Damage is estimated at $1,200.00.
Information received during the investigation indicates several older juveniles had been in the park just prior to the fire. It was reported when the fire was discovered the same juveniles were seen running away from the area. Also it is reported that in the week prior to this fire the same juveniles had been seen causing other damage to park equipment.
Anyone with information on this fire or the vandalism to the park is asked to contact the Alaska State Troopers at 451-5100.
| 28 May 2006 |
House Fire |
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North Pole, AK: On Sunday evening 5/28/06 at approximately 10:30 PM a fire caused extensive damage to a one story home located at 3495 Yellowstone Road off Independence Circle. As fire fighters were responding a large cloud of smoke could be seen as far as four miles away. When fire fighters first arrived, heavy fire involvement was found in the front portion of the house and in the ceiling / roof area. Fire was venting thru the roof. A portion of the roof had started to collapse. Also the front wall fell outwards.
Fire fighters deployed three hose lines and had the fire under control in 20 minutes. It took another two hours to remove the smoldering cellulose insulation in the attic and ensure the fire was out. Fire fighters conducted a search of the residence and no occupants were found.
FNSB Property records indicate the house is owned by a Jon Sanchez.
Neighbors advised they heard a loud explosion, saw a large amount of smoke and fire. They also reported seeing a brown Camero type vehicle leaving the area at a high rate of speed.
Cause of the fire is under investigation by the North Star Fire Department and the Alaska State Troopers. Anyone having information is asked to contact the North Star Fire Department at 488-3400 or AST at 451-5100. Investigators are also looking for anyone who may have taken photos of the fire during the first few minutes. If you have photos, please give the North Star Fire Department a call at 488-3400.
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| 25 February
2006 |
String of Suspicious Fires starts off morning |
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NORTH POLE--After a long evening on the Ft. Wainwright incident. Firefighters from North Star Volunteer Fire responded to three deliberately set fires in structures. Fires are under investigation at this time.
If you have any information please contact the Alaska State Troopers at 451-5100 or North Star Volunteer Fire Department at 488-3400.
Temperature was -10. North Star responded with Five Engines, Squad and Command. Station # 3 also provided a move up Engine to assist with district coverage.
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| 24 February
2006 |
Engine 31 Goes Mutual Aid to Fort Wainwright Power Plant Fire |
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NORTH POLE--Firefighters from North Star Volunteer Fire were requested mutual aid to assist Fort Wainwright Fire Department
with a RIT Team on a working fire at the base Coal fired Power Plant. Engine 31 crew was one of six mutual aid departments that responded to the incident.
Temperature was -2 with poor road conditions. North Star also staffed Station # 1 and Station # 3 throughout the duration of the mutual aid call.
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6 March 2006 |
Resident Firefighter Program reduces loss |
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NORTH POLE--Monday morning, March 6, 2006, at 7:57 AM, the North Star Volunteer
Fire Department responded to a reported Garage fire at 3417 Baker Road, off of the Old Richardson Highway in Moose
Creek.
Firefighters arrived on scene within 6 minutes and found a 30 by 30 foot two vehicle unattached garage with heavy
smoke coming from the eaves on all sides. Firefighters from North Star VFD made an aggressive interior attack and had
the fire under control by 8:11 A.M., a little over 5 minutes after arrival. The fire was confined to the interior of the
sheet rocked garage.
The homeowner reported starting up his wood stove at approx. 6:30 AM and went back inside his residence. They noticed smoke
coming from the gable end vent of the roof and immediately called 911, summoning the fire department. A total of 5 fire engines
and over 20 firefighters responded from three fire departments, using less than 800 gallons of water to extinguish the fire.
All occupants were reported to be out of the structure upon the fire department’s arrival. The City of North Pole and Eielson Air Force Base Fire Departments provided mutual Aid assistance.
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| 4 March
2006 |
Commercial fire brings multiple alarms |
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NORTH POLE--Firefighters from North Star Volunteer Fire responded to a working commercial fire at K and K Recycling. Units arrived and found a heavily involved fire in the aluminum processing plant.
Multiple alarms were stuck bringing five engines from North Star, one engine from the City of North Pole, one tender from the City of Fairbanks and one engine from Ft. Wainwright which provided a Rapid Intervention Team for the fire scene.
First in units snapped pictures of fire situation shown. Two other connected structures were protected by the crews and substained no damage. Investigation revealed an approximate 50 minute delay in report of fire. Units remained on scene for 4 hours.
Temperature was 25 degrees above. North Star also staffed Station # 1 during the response.
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| 12 March 2006 |
Rapid notification and response reduces loss |
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NORTH POLE--Sunday evening, March 12, 2006, at 8:08 P.M., the North Star Volunteer
Fire Department responded to a reported Trailer fire with smoke showing from the crawlspace off Badger Road.
Firefighters arrived on scene within 5 minutes and found a 12 by 30 foot mobile home with smoke showing
from the crawlspace. Firefighters from North Star VFD made an aggressive attack and had
the fire under control quickly. The fire was confined to the crawlspace area and was caused by a space heater to close
to the trailer.
Photo above shows Firefighter Moore changing the dwellings smoke alarm while being assisted by Firefighter Camp. North Star Education Program ensures that any dwelling
entered will have a working battery operated smoke detector when the leave. You can also request a Smoke Detector to be installed by calling the Station at 488-3400.
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| 10 March 2006 |
North Star Fire Awarded Grant! |
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NORTH POLE - The U.S. Department of Homeland
Security announced the seventh round of the Fiscal Year 2005 Fire
Prevention and Safety Grant Program (FP&S) awarding 22 grants to fire
departments throughout the United States.North Star Volunteer Fire Department, North Pole AK, was awarded $112,684.00 . More details will be released. These
educational grant funds will allow for a mobile education trailer, school public safety program enhancements and community outreach.
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| 5 June 2006 |
Stolen truck found at source of blaze |
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North Pole, AK: A stolen vehicle was linked to a wildland fire that burned about two acres Monday afternoon near Seavy Drive in North Pole.
Alaska State Troopers said the 2006 red Dodge pickup found at the source of the fire had been reported stolen May 30. It's unclear whether the fire was intentionally set or ignited on its own, said Paul Keech, assistant fire managing officer with the state Department of Forestry.
The column of smoke from the fire was first spotted by off-duty trooper Sean Adkins, who was on his way home from work. He located the fire, which was smoldering just off an Alyeska pipeline access road near Seavy Drive and Irene Mae Street. As he called the fire in, the truck tires exploded.
A thick gray column of smoke rose from the fire and was visible miles away.
The Northstar Volunteer Fire Department, forestry officials and nearby residents pitched in to extinguish the fire in just under an hour.
Alyeska pipeline officials were on scene to monitor the danger to the pipeline that runs from a refinery to the main trans-Alaska pipeline. The pipeline is buried near the site of the fire and was not threatened, according to officials on scene.
Firefighters worked mostly from engines on the access road, Keech said. Water was also dropped from a helicopter bucket that was able to take water from a nearby gravel pit.
Keech said fire officials were able to respond quickly because several firefighters were just leaving the scene of an abandoned campfire near Repp Road that burned about 1/10 of an acre. He said a red flag warning is likely for today because high winds and low humidity are in the forecast.
Mutual Aid was provided on scene by the City of North Pole Fire Department and standing by at Station 1 Ft Wainwright Fire Department. As always thanks for the assistance.
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| 7 June 2006 |
Apartment Fire Injures one |
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North Pole, AK: One person sustained a minor burn at a fire in an apartment building in North Pole, according to Jerry Hanson,
deputy fire chief for the North Star Volunteer Fire Department.
About 4:45 p.m., a resident of the 12 plex apartment building at 3450 Feela Lane, off Newby Road, reported a fire in apartment No. 3, according to Hanson.
Lt. Jon Misewicz, who responded to the scene, said the fire started on a stove and was put out by the apartment occupants, one of whom sustained a minor burn from splashing grease.
North Pole Fire responded auto aid with one engine and Eielson Air Force Base Fire department was requested for am Engine but was canceled en route.
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| 10 June 2006 |
Mobile Home Destroyed by FIRE |
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North Pole, AK: On Saturday morning at about 12:40 AM a fire totally destroyed a mobile home and attached wannigan located at 1366 Gianna Ct off 6m Old Richardson Hwy. When fire fighters were dispatched, a large column of black was seen some 4 mile away from the area.
When fire fighters first arrived, the mobile home and wannigan were heavily involved in fire. The fire had started to spread into the trees and brush. The structure started to collapse.
Hose lines were deployed and the fire contained with in 20 minutes of arrival. It took fire fighters another 1 ½ hours to completely extinguish the fire.
Bystanders in the area advised the trailer was vacant however had recently been purchased. Another person thought the new owners were in the process of renovating the structure.
Cause of the fire is under investigation. Any one with any information is requested to give the fire department a call at 488-3400.
North Star VFD responded with three engines and 12 volunteers. A mutual aid engine company from Ft. Wainwright Fire and Rescue responded to assist
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