Capital City Fire Rescue

🎀 CCFR Goes Pink for Cancer Awareness
You may notice a little more pink around the stations this month!
Capital City Fire Rescue is proud to work alongside IAFF Local 4303 to wear our cancer awareness shirts in support of those who are fighting cancer, those who have survived, and those we have lost.
Cancer has touched the lives of many of our members, families, friends, and people throughout our community. For firefighters, cancer awareness also carries special meaning because of the occupational risks associated with the job.
This month, we're proud to wear pink, stand together, and show our support.
A big thank you to IAFF Local 4303 for partnering with CCFR and helping make this happen.

Readiness • Dedication • Service

Mark your calendars!

🚑🌊Outstanding teamwork and a job well done!🌊🚑

Congratulations to FF/Paramedic Carmen Smith, Engineer Connor Hoyt and FF/EMT Sarah Kuhnell, who were recently recognized with a Unit Commendation for their life-saving efforts during a water rescue.

Responding crews quickly established a coordinated water rescue operation. Paramedic Smith and Engineer Hoyt donned water rescue suits and entered the channel carrying EMS equipment, while FF/EMT Kuhnell assisted with rescue operations from shore. Once in the water, the rescue swimmers worked to secure the patient and begin emergency medical care while coordinating the transition to a responding U.S. Coast Guard vessel.

Behind the scenes, JPD Dispatchers played an equally critical role, coordinating resources and communications with the U.S. Coast Guard and Docks & Harbors to keep the rescue moving quickly and efficiently. Once the patient was brought safely to shore, CCFR crews continued advanced life support care and transport.

This rescue required technical skill, quick decision-making, strong communication, and tremendous teamwork. We are incredibly proud of the calm, decisive actions of our members and grateful for the assistance of our partner agencies and community members who contributed to the successful rescue.

This is what training and teamwork look like when every second counts. Congratulations to all involved! 👏

🔥🔥🔥Capital City Fire Rescue is proud to recognize Battalion Chief Jeff Smetzler, who recently received his badge pinning as he steps into his new leadership role with CCFR.🔥🔥🔥

Chief Smetzler brings more than 39 years of fire service experience, beginning his journey at just 14 years old in a local fire explorer program. Over nearly four decades, he has served with four different departments and maintained his Paramedic license for 22 years. Among the many chapters of his career, he especially remembers his time in wildland firefighting with the Forest Service and the experience of holding the line.

For Chief Smetzler, one of the most rewarding parts of the fire service has always been the opportunity to learn from others and, in turn, pass that knowledge along.

“In this job, the easiest day was yesterday. The fire service is always changing. You don’t know what call you’ll be on next, and the shift you’ve left is the easiest you’ll have it, so always be preparing.”

Please join us in congratulating Battalion Chief Jeff Smetzler on this well-earned achievement. We are proud to have him serving our department and our community in this leadership role. 🚒🔥

Congratulations, Chief!

🔥🔥🔥Capital City Fire Rescue is proud to recognize Battalion Chief John Adams, who recently received his badge pinning as he steps into his new leadership role with CCFR.🔥🔥🔥

Chief Adams has served the CCFR community since 2001, when he began as a volunteer firefighter. He was later promoted to Volunteer Lieutenant, taking on the responsibility of leading a shift of volunteer firefighters.

Throughout his years with CCFR, Chief Adams has been especially passionate about fire prevention, public education, and community involvement, particularly within our local schools. He has long championed the idea that CCFR should truly be the community’s fire department, welcoming station tours, participating in community events, and building strong connections with the people we serve.

He has also made it a priority to pass along the traditions and values of the fire service to newer generations of firefighters, emphasizing professionalism, service, community involvement, and preserving the healthy traditions that make the fire service special.

“The fire service is the best job I’ve ever had because we are there for people on their worst day, and we can be the ones to make it better.” - Adams

Chief Adams says one of his favorite things about the job is that no two days are ever the same. A day might begin with CPR training, move into a structure fire, and end with something no one could have anticipated, like responding to the first glacial lake outburst flood and walking waist-deep through floodwaters.

His lesson after more than two decades with CCFR: Be prepared for everything.

Please join us in congratulating Battalion Chief John Adams on this well-earned achievement. We are proud to have him serving our department and our community in this leadership role. 🚒🔥

Congratulations, Chief!

🎉 Congratulations to Firefighter Paramedic Ben Tavasci! 🚒🚑

Ben’s journey with Capital City Fire Rescue is a great example of what can happen when hard work, determination, and opportunity come together.

Ben joined CCFR four years ago, working full-time with our CARES program while also volunteering as a Scene Support Firefighter. In his spare time, he continued building his skills, earning both his Firefighter I and EMT I certifications.

Once fully qualified, Ben took the next step and applied for a position on the fire line, where he was hired as a Firefighter EMT. But he didn’t stop there. Soon afterward, Ben was selected as a paramedic student and took on the challenge of attending paramedic school while continuing to serve our community on the fire line.

Today, we’re proud to congratulate Ben on graduating from paramedic school and earning his promotion to Firefighter Paramedic! 👏

Ben’s story represents something we value deeply at CCFR: investing in our people. We believe in creating opportunities for employees to learn, grow, and advance through the ranks. Developing talent from within not only strengthens our organization, it helps us retain dedicated, experienced people who know our community and are committed to serving it.

That’s what growing our own looks like. ❤️🚒

Congratulations, Ben! We’re proud of everything you’ve accomplished and excited to see where your CCFR career takes you next.

🚒 Welcoming Our New ARFF Truck to Juneau!

Today, Capital City Fire Rescue proudly pushed in our new Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) truck at the Juneau International Airport, continuing a fire service tradition that dates back to the days of horse-drawn fire apparatus.

This new apparatus represents an important investment in the safety and emergency preparedness of our airport and community.

We want to thank CBJ management, Juneau International Airport management, and the citizens of Juneau for their continued support and commitment to bringing this much-needed piece of equipment to our community.

Today we honor a fire service tradition while strengthening our ability to serve Juneau for years to come.

Welcome to the fleet, A-2!

Readiness • Dedication • Service

CCFR supports our CBJ Water Utility team as they conduct routine flushing of the water distribution system now through the end of October.

In addition to helping maintain clean, high-quality drinking water, a well-maintained water distribution system is an important part of our community’s fire protection infrastructure. Hydrants and reliable water supply are critical resources for our firefighters during an emergency.

During flushing, residents may notice temporary water discoloration or minor service disruptions. Once crews have left your area, simply run your cold water until it runs clear.

Thank you to our Water Utility crews for the work they do behind the scenes to maintain this important community infrastructure.

Readiness • Dedication • Service

From now through the end of October, the CBJ Water Utility team is flushing out sediment and mineral buildup in our water distribution system 🚰 This helps keep the water clean and crisp for all of Juneau.

During this time, you may notice minor service disruptions or slight water discoloration. To clear discoloration, wait until the work crew leaves the area and then run the cold water tap until it runs clear.

Work is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. If you have any questions, call CBJ Utilities Administration at (907) 586-0393.