Skagway, Alaska Fire Department

Skagway, Alaska Fire Department Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Skagway, Alaska Fire Department, Fire station, 308 17th Avenue, Skagway, AK.

04/05/2026

At approximately 1937 hours, units responded for a reported structure fire onDyea Road, which is about 2 miles on the highway. This is a non-hydrant area so Tender 31 and a secondary Engine 23 also responded to the call.

Caller reported the scene as having fire and smoke coming out of multiple windows and roof eaves of the structure with all occupants evacuated.

Engine 4, staffed with a team of two, arrived at 1940 hours and confirmed the location and that we had a working fire. They announced an incident action plan and started executing the tasks. Chief 1/FG 1 arrived on scene and assumed command while deploying approximately 600’ of supply line from Dyea highway where Engine 23 and Tender 31 were setting up for a tendering operation. Chief 1/IC made the supply connection on Engine 4 and assumed operations of Engine 4 where she had a crew of two perform fire attack from exterior positions with multiple 1 3/4” hand lines.

Chief 2 assumed control of the tendering operations on Dyea highway and Engine 23 (crew of 2) continued to the scene and functioned as team two. IC was able to coordinate team one and team two and quickly achieve fire control for the main area of origin on division 1. After an additional firefighter arrived on scene IC was able to coordinate a primary search on the remaining divisions while overhaul was being performed in the main fire room.

A resident had reported multiple animals were still inside the structure, and the crew was successful in locating the animals. At least one of the animals had perished in the home and was not able to be revived. Approximately 2500 gallons of water was used during this operation and included seven firefighters on scene as well as three scene support personnel.

Total operations took approximately four hours with no reported firefighter injuries.

Investigation occurred the following day and cause of fire was found to be unintentional and electrical in nature.

This successful response would not have been possible without the continued commitment from our department members in training at the highest level to continue to hone their skills.

A special thank you to our volunteers and off duty members that responded to the scene as well as a Skagway Police Dept. and Municipal Dispatch.

03/24/2026

Skagway Fire Department’s first aerial apparatus has arrived! We are unique in that we are an Alaskan port where a pass-pass system is conducted to move items from the barge to the dock via fork lifts. Shout out to Alaska Marine Lines for a fantastic job in delivering our new rig! More videos to come! Let the training begin!

03/13/2026

Introducing Resuscitation Quality Improvement (RQI) for CPR certification! In a real cardiac emergency, outcomes depend on precision, coordination, and confidence under pressure. RQI is about improving skills, not about passing a test, so the system allows people as many attempts as it takes to pass. This modern, technology-driven program is designed to help teach high-quality CPR skills utilizing real-time feedback allowing the learners to correct errors on the spot, improving overall performance. This program delivers Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR certification with AHA. BLS reflects a commitment to a higher standard of emergency preparedness, which is the same high standard Skagway Fire holds for our members. Sign up today at https://www.sgyfire.org/cpr-training-1

It is an honor to introduce our new EMT 2 providers for Skagway, Alaska Fire Department. This significant expansion of q...
08/15/2025

It is an honor to introduce our new EMT 2 providers for Skagway, Alaska Fire Department. This significant expansion of qualified personnel will strengthen Skagway’s emergency medical response capabilities.

EMT-2 providers represent an advanced level of prehospital care, equipped with the knowledge and skills to administer intravenous (IV) fluids and specific medications, further expanding the scope of emergency medical interventions available to our patients.

The addition of these new EMT-2s is a testament to our commitment to providing the highest quality of emergency medical care to Skagway, Alaska. These dedicated individuals have undergone rigorous training and will play a vital role in improving patient outcomes in our community.

Each newly certified EMT-2 will operate under the sponsorship and under our medical direction from Dr. Livengood. This directorship ensures that EMT-2s provide care within a structured and medically supervised framework, optimizing patient safety and treatment effectiveness.

The availability of more EMT-2 providers is particularly crucial in addressing Skagway’s unique challenges of delivering emergency medical care in our rural and remote region.

These new providers help to bring Skagway Fire Department’s ambulance standards to the highest level we’ve ever accomplished in ensuring there are multiple advanced EMS providers on our ambulances 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

Please join us in congratulating these gentlemen on a job well done! We are all very proud of this accomplishment!

Figure 1 from L to R: Branden Palmer, Graham Price, Jake Sager, Carson Tucker

At 0244, fire department units were dispatched to a reported structure fire at 12th and Broadway.Engine 4 (E4) and Fire ...
07/22/2025

At 0244, fire department units were dispatched to a reported structure fire at 12th and Broadway.

Engine 4 (E4) and Fire Grounds 2 (FG2) responded from the station and arrived on scene of a two-story residential structure showing heavy fire conditions on division 2 of the Bravo/ Charlie corner with smoke pushing from 3/4 of the Alpha side eves. The evacuates reported an all clear on arrival.

E4 laid a supply line from 11th and Broadway while FG 2 established command and performed a 360. E4 crew was directed to pull an attack line and perform fire control from the ground level on the exterior of the Charlie side. The deck and stairs were deemed unsafe due to fire conditions. A water supply was established to E 4. E 4 crews reported good progress made on the exterior fire attack.

As additional personnel responded, Engine 4 crew (Team 1) were redirected to make an interior attack to division 2 affected areas and pull the ceiling in search of fire in the attic space.
Team 1 reported the majority of the fire was stopped and the overhaul process was initiated. Upon overhaul, minor hot spots were found and extinguished. Crews called for ventilation while continuing to overhaul and complete the primary search of Division 2.

Team 2 completed a primary search of Division 1. Both teams reported primary searches complete and no needs. Extensive overhaul was completed over the next 2 hours and an effort to salvage property was made. Crews assisted with recovering personal items for the tenants that were displaced by the fire.
The area of origin was the second floor deck and the cause determined to be remnants from a BBQ grill reported to be used last at 8:00 p.m. The fire was accidental in nature. There were no firefighter or civilian injuries.

Early notification by civilian Bill Glude, and an outstanding performance by our fire department members both career and volunteer, were a major factor in the quick extinguishment of this fire; and I couldn’t be prouder of their efforts.

A special recognition to the occupant living in the bedroom closest to the point of origin that was awakened by breaking glass, and his quick response to alert and evacuate his fellow roommates before fire department arrival.

Attached are photos of the fire courtesy of Bill Glude.

Statement from the Office of the Fire Chief Emily Rauscher:On 6/28/2025 at 0834, Skagway Fire Department was dispatched ...
07/03/2025

Statement from the Office of the Fire Chief Emily Rauscher:

On 6/28/2025 at 0834, Skagway Fire Department was dispatched to a reported structure fire. Engine 4 arrived on scene with two on-duty personnel. Engine 4 confirmed a working fire and requested a secondary page out for additional personnel. Engine 4 proceeded with an exterior fire attack while waiting for additional personnel to arrive on scene. The fire chief arrived on scene and established incident command while Engine 4 was initiating the first attack line and connecting to a water supply. It was reported to the incident command that a person and animal were possibly still inside the structure, in a back bedroom. Due to the report of a possible trapped victim, the crew was directed to perform an interior search and fire attack, even though the standard “two in two out” staffing model had not yet been met.

An off-duty pumper operator arrived to handle the pump operations of Engine 4, while the initial crew of Engine 4 became Team 1, which performed an interior fire attack while making their way to the area reported by the bystander, and most likely to be where the victim would be located.

Team 1 performed a primary search of the areas immediately affected by the fire. Upon entry into the victim’s bedroom, Team 1 reported they were encountering multiple explosions, possibly ammunition, while completing the primary search. They also reported multiple fi****ms laying out in the room. Incident Command ordered an evacuation of the building and assigned a secondary team that had arrived (Team 2) to perform an exterior offensive attack through the window of the room with the ammunition. After Team 2 was able to cool the room with ammunition and fi****ms, they were assigned to perform a secondary search and overhaul of the known bedroom of the occupant.

Team 3 was assigned to finish the primary search on the remainder of the house and report any areas needing overhaul. Team 3 located a deceased body and a dog in a front, unused bedroom. This room did not have direct fire involvement and was located on the opposite end of the trailer’s main fire location, with the cause of death being non-fire related. The Skagway Police Department was immediately notified and the scene turned over to them for further investigation.

After the police investigation was completed, fire investigations were conducted by Skagway Fire and then the Alaska State Fire Marshal’s Office, finding multiple areas of origin. The cause of the fire is determined to be incendiary, with the suspect deceased.

A special thank you to our emergency dispatcher Airk Cochran for holding down all communications for this event, the Skagway Police Department and the Alaska State Fire Marshal’s office.

Fire Crews involved: 2 on duty personnel, 4 off duty personnel (call backs), and 2 volunteers. There were no firefighter injuries.

Skagway Fire sends our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the deceased.

HAPPENING TOMORROW! We're taking it back to the OG on 5th Avenue! All proceeds go to Cancer Research specifically for ...
05/16/2025

HAPPENING TOMORROW! We're taking it back to the OG on 5th Avenue!

All proceeds go to Cancer Research specifically for Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma. A cause very near and dear to us here at Skagway Fire.

Sasquatch sighting possible!

Public Safety Open House today at 3:30 p.m. The preparations have started for us to open our doors to the community for...
12/06/2024

Public Safety Open House today at 3:30 p.m. The preparations have started for us to open our doors to the community for good food, company and cheer! Open house ends at 5:00 p.m. so the engine can deliver Santa to the tree lighting at 5:30 p.m.

Hope to see everyone this afternoon. The food will be delish!

Merry Merry!!

09/07/2024

Statement from the Office of the Fire Chief Emily Rauscher:

At approximately 1456 Engine 4 responded to a Motor Vehicle Accident of a 25-passenger tour bus that was reported off the road on the Klondike Highway. Medic 32 responded shortly afterwards. The accident location was south of the previous land slide at kilometer 52. The location of this event is approximately 35 minutes out of town.

The reporting party was Holland America Princess (HAP). While waiting for response units to arrive to this remote location with no cell phone coverage and limited radio communications, 2 of the HAP motorcoaches decided to provide aid to the 25-passenger bus involved in the accident and communicate information to Skagway’s Fire base during this mass casualty. There were medical personnel onboard the HAP motorcoach that started triage of the patients. There were 25 passengers onboard this bus and all 25 passengers were accounted for. While on-scene Yukon EMS held Incident Command and worked seamlessly with Skagway Fire Department. All of Skagway Fire’s units were back in service at 1730.

During this extended call, four of our volunteers came into the station for standby to provide coverage to the town in case of additional page outs. Additionally, one of our volunteers, Sarina Jones was integral in obtaining critical patient information from HAP drivers on location before any units arrived.

Since many visitors travel to Skagway for the Klondike Road Relay, there were medical personnel from Bartlett Regional Hospital’s Emergency Room that aided in further treatment of the patients transported to Skagway’s Clinic.

Skagway Fire would like to thank the two Holland America Princess motor coaches for being the true first responders to this accident and acting without hesitation. We would like to thank our volunteers that covered the town for additional page outs and the medical personnel from out of town that provided their services here in Skagway. Finally, our amazing neighbors in the Yukon, from Carcross and Yukon EMS... we are grateful for your partnership.

The Public Information Officer for this call is Manager Brad Ryan.

CAR WASH THIS SUNDAY!!!
06/25/2024

CAR WASH THIS SUNDAY!!!

Statement from the Office of the Fire Chief Emily Rauscher:On 6/8/2024 Skagway Fire was dispatched to a structure fire a...
06/09/2024

Statement from the Office of the Fire Chief Emily Rauscher:

On 6/8/2024 Skagway Fire was dispatched to a structure fire at 1720 between 8th & 9th State/ Broadway. Upon arrival there was a small residential unit positioned in a backyard between a large log cabin and a storage trailer with bystanders reporting that the structure was unoccupied. First arriving crews confirmed an all clear during their initial fire attack. Fire crews made a good knock down on the fire within minutes of making interior access.

This building’s roof system was designed as a “hot roof” meaning the insulation was installed closely beneath the roof sheeting (minimizing the air space between the ceiling and the roof sheeting). Though the fire was knocked down initially on arrival in the interior of the structure, due to the “hot roof” design and to help in decreasing property damage, fire crews performed the remainder of fire extinguishment and overhaul in exterior positions from ground ladders positioned on all four sides of the structure to gain access to the many void spaces in the roof. Normally overhaul is conducted from the interior and consists of pulling down ceiling to expose the rafters, which is an easier operation.

Once the fire was fully extinguished the property was returned to its owner. Much of the owner’s personal property was salvaged with no fire extensions to the log cab and storage container exposures. This fire is believed to be accidental in nature with the area of origin believed to be the front porch with the fire spreading up to the roof.

Thank you to the Police Department for their assistance in clearing all non-fire department personnel from the active fire grounds. Skagway Fire would like to remind residents that when there is a working fire to please stay clear of the area. This allows our fire crews to stage our apparatus accordingly so that we may perform a fire attack without having to clear the area of pedestrians first.

Skagway Fire’s crew consisted of six career and two volunteers firefighters, with three additional volunteers performing firefighter rehab. There was a 100% call back of career personnel. The two volunteer firefighters had either just finished working their fulltime jobs or were released from their job to help assist with this structure fire. One of our career firefighters had completed the half marathon on his day off and responded to fight the fire.

Thank you to Public Works for providing three additional personnel to help with decontamination and preparing our apparatus back to service.

Lastly, thank you to Skagway’s Firefighters. Your dedication to the community on your days off, due to our limited resources, does not go unnoticed. I am grateful for your service and very proud to have you on our team!

We are always looking to recruit volunteers! Visit our website at www.sgyfire.org to join us.

Address

308 17th Avenue
Skagway, AK
99840

Telephone

+19079832450

Website

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