Technical Rescue Team
Summers in Alaska bring out the tourists, as well as many outdoors enthusiasts, and between April and September, the Girdwood Fire Department typically sees an increase in backcountry and water-related emergencies. According to Chief Chadwick, the Girdwood Fire Department responds to between twelve and fifteen calls a year for rescue in backcountry areas, Turnagain arm and on the Girdwood trail system.
In the Winter of 2010, Girdwood Volunteer Fire and Rescue (GVFR) recognized the need for a higher-level of knowledge and skill when it comes to backcountry search and rescue operations, and developed a Technical Rescue Team, within the department. The GVFR Technical Rescue Team consists of senior department members who train specifically for search and rescue operations.
While every medic and firefighter at the Girdwood Fire Department is trained to a high standard of care, the Technical Rescue Team can assist and lead other agencies with regards to strategy and planning during rescue operations.
The Technical Rescue Team is currently operating solely on donations, because there is currently no room in the Girdwood Fire Department budget to support it. Instructors have generously donated their time and Rescue Team members are paying out-of-pocket for all costs associated with certifications. It's a tremendous commitment level. Most certifications require many hours of training and studying, on top of normal shift requirements at the Fire Department. But there is a need for these rescue capabilities in our response area and we want to make sure we are ready.
Members of the Technical Rescue Team are certified CPR/First Aid Instructors and have earned funding for much needed equipment by teaching CPR/First Aid classes to the public, and then donating the class fees back to the Technical Rescue Team. If you are in need of CPR/First Aid Certification (or a Refresher), please contact the Girdwood Fire Department at 907-783-2511 to schedule a class.
If you ever find yourself needing emergency assistance in the backcountry, including the Winner Creek Hand Tram, please call 911 for help. Depending on your location and the nature of the call, emergency dispatchers will send the appropriate resource to your location.