Ketchikan Fire Department

🚒 KETCHIKAN FIRE DEPARTMENT NEEDS VOLUNTEERS! 🚑

Have you ever thought about volunteering with the fire department, but the idea of running into a burning building seemed like a bit much before your morning coffee?

Good news—NOT all of our volunteers are firefighters or EMTs!

We need support volunteers too. That means helping with community events, public education, emergency preparedness projects, logistics, administrative support, rehab at incidents, and all the other things that keep the wheels turning behind the scenes.

Let’s be honest—if every volunteer had to fight fire, we’d be in trouble. Someone has to keep us organized, hand out information, help at events, and occasionally remind firefighters where they left things. (Usually right where they set them down.)

Whether you’re retired, working, a student, or just looking for a way to give back, we have opportunities for you.

✅ No experience required
✅ Training provided
✅ Serve your community
✅ Meet great people
✅ Collect enough fire department stories to bore your family for years

And if you’re worried about being asked to climb a 100-foot ladder—relax. Some of our volunteers keep both feet firmly on the ground and still make a huge difference.

Interested in joining?

Apply to become a Volunteer Firefighter, EMT, or support volunteer through the City of Ketchikan:

🔗 https://www.ketchikan.gov/kfd-join

Remember, in Ketchikan we already volunteer to live somewhere that gets 13 feet of rain a year. Helping your fire department is the easy part.

Ketchikan Alaska Official Website for the City of Ketchikan Alaska

🚒❤️ Weekend Safety Reminder from Ketchikan Fire Department ❤️🚒

This weekend, while you’re out fishing, hiking, whale watching, watching cruise ship visitors try to find Creek Street, or simply enjoying a rare sunny Southeast Alaska day, take a moment to learn the signs of a heart attack.

A heart attack doesn’t always look like what you see in the movies.

⚠️ Common Warning Signs:
• Chest pain, pressure, tightness, or discomfort
• Pain spreading to the arm, back, neck, jaw, or stomach
• Shortness of breath
• Nausea or vomiting
• Cold sweats
• Unusual fatigue
• Feeling lightheaded or dizzy

🚨 Call 911 immediately if you think someone may be having a heart attack. Don’t try to “tough it out” or wait to see if it gets better.

And remember, in Southeast Alaska, chest pain after climbing the Deer Mountain trail is one thing. Chest pain while sitting in your recliner watching the rain fall for the 17th day in a row? That’s worth getting checked out.

Your quick action could save a life.

Stay safe, enjoy the weekend, and if you see our crews around town, give them a wave (unless we’re driving with lights and sirens—then please pull over and let us pass 😉).

🍕🚒 Firefighters + Teachers = One Great Team! 📚💪

Today, between emergency calls, Ketchikan firefighters spent the afternoon lending a hand at Schoenbar School, helping teachers move classrooms, pack supplies, and get ready for the next chapter.

A big thank you to the dedicated teachers and staff who welcomed us in. We know moving a classroom can be almost as challenging as finding a sunny day in Southeast Alaska!

The Ketchikan Fire Fighters Union kept everyone’s energy up by bringing in pizza, and a good time was had by all. It was a wonderful opportunity to give back to the educators who invest so much in our community’s kids every day.

At KFD, serving our community isn’t just about responding to emergencies—it’s about showing up whenever a helping hand is needed. Whether it’s a fire, a medical emergency, or carrying boxes and moving desks, we’re proud to serve this amazing community.

❤️ Thank you, Schoenbar teachers and staff, for everything you do!

🚒🍕📚

📦 VOLUNTEERS NEEDED — KGBSD School Relocation, Summer 2026!
The Ketchikan Gateway Borough School District is closing and relocating several school buildings this summer and we need YOUR help! Whether you have a free morning, an afternoon, or your organization wants to pitch in as a group — every set of hands counts.
🗓 Move dates: June 8 – June 30, 2026

Week 1 (June 8–12): HTE, KHS, SMS & RV buildings
Week 2 (June 15–19): Point Higgins Elementary (PHE) & Fawn Mountain (FME) moves to HTE
Week 3 (June 22–26): White Cliff closure, KHS final moves & community rummage
Week 4 (June 29–30): Final wrap-up and building walkthroughs

⏰ Shifts available:

AM Shift: 8:00 – 11:00
PM Shift: 12:00 – 3:00

If you have time — or your organization is willing to help — please reach out so we can get you on the schedule!
📞 Call or text: 907-247-MOVE (6683)
Thank you, Ketchikan! 🙌

🚒 NOW HIRING: FIRE INSPECTOR – KETCHIKAN FIRE DEPARTMENT 🚒

Ever walk into a building and immediately notice the exit sign that’s burned out, the fire extinguisher hidden behind a stack of boxes, or that extension cord that’s been there since the last salmon run? If so, we may have the job for you!

The Ketchikan Fire Department is looking for a Fire Inspector to help keep our community safe through fire prevention, inspections, public education, and code enforcement.

🔥 What You’ll Do:
✅ Conduct fire and life safety inspections
✅ Work with local businesses and building owners
✅ Investigate fire code issues
✅ Educate the public on fire prevention
✅ Help keep Ketchikan one of the safest communities in Southeast Alaska

🌲 Why Ketchikan?
Where else can you inspect a business in the morning, watch a cruise ship arrive at lunch, and spend the evening fishing, hiking, or dodging a rain shower that came out of nowhere?

☔ Fair warning: You’ll likely inspect more buildings than days you’ll see sunshine… but the scenery makes up for it.

Ready to make an impact before the emergency happens?

Apply today through the City of Ketchikan:

🌐 https://www.ketchikan.gov/jobs

Questions? Contact the Ketchikan Fire Department and learn how you can join our team.



🚒 Because the best fire is the one that never happens. 🔥

Ketchikan Alaska Official Website for the City of Ketchikan Alaska

🔥🌞 KFD HEAT ADVISORY UPDATE 🌞🔥

Attention Ketchikan residents:

If you step outside Tuesday and suddenly see a bright object in the sky, remain calm. That’s called the sun. We know it’s been a while.

With temperatures expected to reach 80-85 degrees, local Southeast Alaskans are advised to take the following precautions:

☀️ Hydrate frequently.
☀️ Check on elderly neighbors.
☀️ Don’t leave kids or pets in vehicles.
☀️ Apply sunscreen to any body parts that haven’t seen daylight since last summer.

KFD would also like to remind residents that:

• Wearing Xtratufs with shorts does NOT count as heat protection.
• Standing in front of an open freezer at Safeway is only a temporary cooling strategy.
• The ocean is not an air conditioner, even if it feels like one.
• If you hear someone say, “It’s not the heat, it’s the humidity,” they have officially become a local.

Need to cool down? Head toward the waterfront, find a glacier-fed breeze, or simply stand next to the person who’s already complaining that it’s too hot.

Stay safe, stay hydrated, and remember: after nine months of rain, Southeast Alaska has approximately 17 minutes of summer. Enjoy it responsibly.

🚨 KFD Weekend Challenge 🚨

This weekend, between fishing, hiking, dodging rain showers, and arguing about whether it’s “just a drizzle,” take 10 minutes to do something that could save your family’s life.

✅ Test your smoke detectors
✅ Replace batteries if needed
✅ Talk with your family about two ways out of every room
✅ Pick a meeting place outside your home

Remember: when a smoke alarm goes off at 2:00 AM, that’s a terrible time to start asking, “Wait… what’s the plan?”

A good home escape plan is like rain gear in Southeast Alaska—you hope you never need it, but you’ll be really glad you have it when things get wet.

And while you’re checking those smoke alarms, give them a little appreciation. They work 24/7, never call in sick, and complain less than most firefighters.

🔋 Need a battery or smoke detector? Stop by KFD Station 1 at 70 Bawden Street. We’ll help make sure your home is protected. No appointment needed—just swing by and say hello!

Stay safe, Ketchikan! 🔥🏠