Author: Admin

Thank you for your support.

We would like to thank Steve Adams for his continued support of our Department. Mr. Adams has been a long supporter of Steese with his advice and mentorship. Recently he donated a new flagpole for Station 61 and recently donated money towards the purchase of new winter jackets for our members. Because of his generosity, we were recently able to finish our project of purchasing new winter jackets for our members. These jackets are warmer and much more visible than our old jackets. Mr. Adams is a shining example of why Fairbanks is called the Golden Heart City.

Jump Seat Completions

Congratulations to Kiana Johnson & Kate Hughes, they have finished their Jump Seat Qualifications. Keep up the good work!

Firefighter Hughes receives her shield for completing her Jump Seat Qualifications.
Firefighter Johnson receives her shield for completing her Jump Seat Qualifications.

Congratulations 2017

achievementsOur members have achieved the following accomplishments recently

Spencer Bourque: Firefighter 2, EMT 1, Ambulance Driver
Joe Byrnes: Recruit Academy, Aider
Cody Carlson: Advanced Firefighter, EMT 2, Rescue 62, Engine 64, Achieved Driver Status
Ruth Church:  FADO- Driver/Pumper, FADO- Mobile Water Supply,  Multi Level EMT Instructor
Noah Hamm:  FADO- Driver/Pumper, FADO-Mobile Water Supply, Advanced Firefighter, EMT 3A, Rescue 62
Samantha Hatfield: EMT 3
Max Heineken: Engine 64, Rescue 62, Firefighter 2, Engine 65, FADO-Driver/Pumper, FADO-Mobile Water Supply
Kate Hughes: Jump Seat Qualifications, Recruit Academy, Aider, EMT 1
Willie Ishizaka: Ambulance Driver, Jump Seat Qualifications
Kiana Johnson: Firefighter 1, Jump Seat Qualifications, Recruit Academy
James Johnstone: FADO-Driver/Pumper, FADO-Mobile Water Supply, Fire Officer I
Alex Kindred, III: Ambulance Driver
Melinda McAfee: Firefighter I
Benjamin McDaniel:  Commands and Squad Driver, EMT 1
Lisa Peterson: Firefighter 2
Ethan Reyes: Rescue 62, Advanced Firefighter
Josh Teetsel: Haz-Mat Tech, EMT 1
David Townsend, II: FADO-Driver/Pumper, FADO-Mobile Water Supply, Fire Officer I, Engine 64, Engine 65, Tender Driver
Levi Weis: FADO-Driver/Pumper, FADO-Mobile Water Supply
Allen Williams: Advanced Firefighter, FADO-Driver/Pumper, FADO-Mobile Water Supply, Rescue 62
Zach Yoder: FADO- Driver/Pumper, FADO- Mobile Water Supply

Founding Member Visits Steese

 

Founding member Walt Weese with his son Dan and daughter in-law Heather in front of Station 61.

We received a visit from one of our founding Steese VFD members, Walt Weese today. He was accompanied by his son Dan and daughter-in-law Heather. We had a great time reminiscing and showing them the changes to the Department and service area.

2017 Annual Banquet Awards.

Our annual award banquet for 2016 was on Saturday, May 13th. We had a great turnout and a great time was had by everyone.

Every year we honor the bravery, sacrifice and dedication of our members through these awards; this year’s recipients are examples of these qualities.

Annual Awards

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Rookie of the year – Kain McAfee

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Driver of the year – Noah Hamm

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Medic of the year – Samanatha Hatfield

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Firefighter of the year – Allen Williams

We would like to recognize the following members for their dedicated years of service to the citizens of Steese Fire District.

5 Years of Service – Doug Fournier and Samuel Sanders

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10 Years of Service on the Board of Directors – Craig Loudon

The fellow award program provides an opportunity for department members to recognize each other for outstanding service. This is a very special award – an award given by a peer to a peer.

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Fellow Firefighter – Allen Williams

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Fellow Medic – Ruth Church

The statistical award program recognizes volunteer and live-in members training and volunteer hours. 

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Most Volunteer Training Hours with 79 hours – Zachary Yoder

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Most Volunteer Live-In Training with 261.5 Hours— Allen Williams

SteeseFireDept-4780Most Volunteer Live-In Hours with 6554.5 hours – Noah Hamm

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Most Volunteer Hours (nonlive-in) with 1747.5 hours – Sarah Czech

Congratulations everyone and we are looking forward to another great year of service.

Bon Voyage

Engineer Evan Kressly and Engineer Blayde Briske graduated from UAF in May. Unfortunately this meant they had completed the Steese Scholarship program and were off to start their careers. The Department will miss their presence, leadership and hard work. Good luck guys!

C Shift says goodbye to Kressly & Briske.
Blayde Briske receives his service plaque from Chief Mitch Flynn
Evan Kressly receives his service plaque from Chief Mitch Flynn

Burn Permits

It is that time of year again, burn permits are needed from April 1st until August 31st. You can apply and print out your burn permit at forestry.alaska.gov/burn Even if you have a burn permit please check to see if there are any restrictions, suspensions or closures.

Also be sure to check the FNSB Air Quality page to see if there are any burn bans on due to air quality. FNSB Air Quality

Check your winter emergency gear

With our recent snow storms, cold weather and ice fog, now is a good time to make sure you have your winter emergency gear in your vehicle. Below is a checklist to make sure you have the essentials you need for travel emergencies.

ALASKAN EMERGENCY CAR KIT

Car:  

Flares/warning lights
Small shovel
Booster/Jumper cables
Tire Chains
Kitty Litter (non-clumping) or Sand (for traction assistance)
Fuel line de-icer
Duct tape
Rope
Flashlight with extra batteries
Tow Rope

Personal:

First aid kit with pocket knife
Candles
Lighter/matches
Bottled water
Sleeping bag for each traveler
Food items: ex. fruits/nuts
Package of wipes
Toilet paper
Hand warming packets
Space blankets
Extra socks and mittens,hats

Check your Smoke Alarms, when you change the Clocks!

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November 6th is daylight savings remember to change the batteries in your smoke alarms & CO monitors.
Most fatal fires occur at night. Every home needs working smoke alarms to provide an early warning. Install smoke alarms in all sleeping rooms, hallways that lead to sleeping areas, basements and each additional level of your home.
Smoke alarms should be mounted on the ceiling 4” from the wall; wall mounts should be 4-12” from the ceiling. Do not install near draft areas (windows,
vents.). Call your local fire department if you are unsure about placement.
A good time to remember to check your smoke alarm and change the batteries is when you change your clocks twice a year as daylight savings time begins and ends.
Prepare and practice an escape plan! Crawl low under smoke. Plan where to meet outside.
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Once you’re out,
Stay out!
Remember, almost every day a smoke alarm saves somebody’s life

FIRE STATION TRICK-OR-TREATING

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Halloween can be the most exciting time of the year for kids but also presents danger. The Steese Volunteer Fire Department wants this year’s trick-or-treating for your little goblins to be a safe one. Follow these safety tips for a happy and fire-safe Halloween:

Costumes

  • Choose the right costume. Try to stay away from long or flowing fabric.

Visibility

  • Provide flashlights to children or have children carry glow sticks as part of their costumes.
  • Make sure if a child is wearing a mask that the eye holes are large enough so he or she can see out of them.

Decorations

  • Avoid flammable decorations including dried flowers, cornstalks and crepe paper that are highly flammable.
  • Keep decorations away from open flames and other heat sources, including light bulbs and heaters.

 Candles

  • Refrain from having an open flame.
  • Use battery-operated candles or glow-sticks in your jack-o-lanterns.

Exits

  • Remember to keep all decorations away from doors so that they are not blocking any exits or escape routes.

Smoke Alarms

  • Make sure all of your smoke alarms are working and up to date.

The Steese Volunteer Fire Department is also offering its annual safe alternative for parents this Halloween. Both of our fire stations located at 585 Steele Creek Road & 800 William C. Leary Lane will be stocked with candy to hand out to kids who visit in their costumes, Halloween night. Unless an emergency run calls them away, doors will be open and firefighters will be handing out candy to kids from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Parents, please do not park on the drive in front of the emergency equipment.