Central Mat-Su Fire Department

09/06/2026

Come say hi to your Central Mat-Su Firefighters 🔥check out the new community engagement fire safety trailer and see the fire truck 🚒

09/02/2026

As September 11 approaches, parents, caregivers, and teachers may be looking for appropriate ways to help children understand the events of September 11, 2001.

For children who were born after 9/11, this is history—not a memory they experienced themselves. Having age-appropriate conversations can help children learn about courage, compassion, service, resilience, and the importance of remembering those who were lost.

The Central Mat-Su Fire Department encourages parents and educators to use trusted educational resources when talking with young people about 9/11.

📚 RESOURCES FOR PARENTS & TEACHERS

🔹 9/11 Memorial & Museum – Education Resources
Lesson plans, classroom activities, interactive resources, and materials for students and teachers, including resources organized by grade level.
https://www.911memorial.org/learn/students-and-teachers?utm_source=chatgpt.com

🔹 Talking to Children About 9/11
Guidance for parents and caregivers on having age-appropriate conversations about terrorism, difficult events, and the emotions children may experience.
https://www.911memorial.org/learn/youth-and-families?utm_source=chatgpt.com

🔹 9/11 Memorial & Museum – Youth & Family Resources
Age-appropriate activities that help children explore themes of courage, compassion, resilience, hope, and remembrance.
https://www.911memorial.org/learn/youth-and-families?utm_source=chatgpt.com

🔹 9/11 Primer for Educators
A collection of educational modules covering the events of 9/11, the history of the World Trade Center, the response of communities and first responders, and the lasting impact of that day. Grade-level recommendations are provided.
https://www.911memorial.org/learn/resources/911-primer?utm_source=chatgpt.com

🔹 Lesson Plans for K–12 Students
Inquiry-based lessons designed to help educators teach about 9/11 and its impact while encouraging students to think about history, service, resilience, and community.
https://www.911memorial.org/learn/students-and-teachers?utm_source=chatgpt.com

🔹 2026 Anniversary Digital Learning Experience
The 9/11 Memorial & Museum provides an educational program that uses first-person accounts from survivors and first responders to help students understand the events and their aftermath.
https://www.911memorial.org/learn/students-and-teachers/anniversary-schools-DLE-Landing?utm_source=chatgpt.com

❤️ A MESSAGE FROM CENTRAL MAT-SU FIRE DEPARTMENT
When talking with children about September 11, remember that every child is different. Keep conversations age-appropriate, answer questions honestly, avoid unnecessary graphic details, and most importantly, help them understand that September 11 is not only a story about tragedy. It is also a story about the firefighters, police officers, EMS providers, military members, civilians, and countless ordinary people who showed extraordinary courage and compassion.

We remember the lives lost.
We honor the heroes who responded.
We remember the families who were changed forever.
And we teach the next generation so that they understand why we Never Forget.

🇺🇸 September 11, 2001 — We Remember. We Honor. We Never Forget.

08/28/2026

🎙️ Introducing: The Central Mat-Su Fire Podcast! 🚒🔥

Central Mat-Su Fire Department is excited to introduce our new podcast, The Central Mat-Su Fire Podcast, now available on Spotify!
https://open.spotify.com/show/033XyWcLk3kl2gdnHg2GU4?si=e03368b5bca04027

Ever wondered what really goes on behind the scenes at a fire department? What does it take to become a firefighter? How do firefighters learn, train, and prepare for the calls they respond to?

Through different episodes, we’ll take you behind the scenes and give you a closer look at:

🚒 What firefighters experience on the job
📚 How our firefighters learn and continue their education
🧯 How we train for emergencies before they happen
🏋️ The preparation, teamwork, and skills required to serve our community
👨‍🚒 The people behind the uniform and the experiences that shape them

This podcast is about more than just fire trucks and emergency calls. It’s about the people, the training, the challenges, and the commitment that go into being a firefighter.

🎧 Give us a listen on Spotify, Apple Podcast, (soon to be on YouTube as well) and follow along as we take you on an inside look at The Central Mat-Su Fire Department Firefighters!

More episodes and topics are coming soon!

Podcast · CMSFD, John Beebe, Josh Kahler, Ian Amidon · CMSFD Podcast brings real-world fire service experience to the mic. Each episode explores training topics, operational skills, and lessons learned alongside firefighters and special guests who share firsthand stories from the moments when thos...

08/26/2026

Happy National Dog Day to the one and only Sparky the Fire Dog!

For decades, Sparky has been the face of fire safety, reminding people of all ages that a few simple actions can make a big difference.

Visit https://www.Sparky.org for fire safety resources and discover fun ways to make safety part of every day.

08/18/2026

Kids are going back to school! Here’s a school bus refresher:
🟡 Yellow lights mean slow 🟡
🔴 Red lights mean stop 🔴
🚌 As school buses travel their routes, stay alert and expect frequent stops. When a school bus extends its stop sign 🛑 and flashes red lights, ALL drivers meeting and following the bus must stop. Passing a bus with flashing red lights is ILLEGAL, and increases risk for everyone. Flashing red lights mean stop. Always.
🛑🚍🚶🏼‍♂️🚶‍♀️🚶🏾

Learn more about school bus safety at www.nhtsa.gov/school-bus-safety/keeping-children-safe

08/17/2026

August does not mean Alaska’s fire season is over.

High fire danger continues across much of Eastern Alaska. Unusually warm temperatures are expected in parts of the region this weekend, along with thunderstorms that may bring lightning and strong winds.

❗️Burn permits are suspended in the Copper River, Tok, Delta and Fairbanks areas. This means burning debris piles or lawns and using burn barrels is prohibited. Before doing anything that could create flames or sparks, please check current restrictions at forestry.alaska.gov/burn/

About 60 percent of Alaska’s wildfires are caused by people, and many start close to homes, roads and communities. Lightning caused fires cannot always be prevented, but human caused fires can.

If you choose to have a campfire:
🔥Choose a spot that is on sand, gravel or mineral soil
🔥Keep it small and stay with it at all times.
🔥Have plenty of water nearby.
🔥Drown it, stir the ashes and drown it again until every part is cold to the touch

One spark is all it takes. Please help protect Alaska’s lands, your neighbors and your family from wildfire.

08/12/2026

We are deeply saddened to hear of the loss of our fellow Alaska firefighter, who passed away while fighting wildland fires in Ely.

Our hearts go out to his family, friends, fellow firefighters, and all those who served alongside him during this difficult time.

It has been a devastating wildland fire season, marked by the heartbreaking loss of firefighters who bravely answered the call to protect others and our communities.

We keep his family, his department, and all those affected by these losses in our thoughts and prayers. May his service and sacrifice never be forgotten.

08/05/2026

Due to the expected rainy week ahead and recent heavy rainfall, flood watches are in place for the Mat/Su Valleys and Seward areas. Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. For Seward, landslides are possible with steep terrain.

08/04/2026

🌧️ FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FOR PORTIONS OF THE Matanuska-Susitna Borough🌧️

The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch for portions of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough due to the potential for heavy rainfall and rising rivers and streams. Flooding is possible in low-lying areas, near rivers, creeks, and poor drainage locations.

Now is the time to prepare:
💧 Stay informed by monitoring local weather forecasts and emergency alerts.
🚗 Never drive through flooded roadways—Turn Around, Don't Drown®. Just a few inches of moving water can sweep a vehicle off the road.
🏠 If you live in a flood-prone area, move valuables to higher ground and have an emergency kit ready.
🌊 Keep children and pets away from fast-moving water, creeks, and drainage ditches.
📱 Be prepared to act quickly if conditions worsen or evacuation instructions are issued.

Remember, flood conditions can change rapidly. Your safety is our priority.

Stay safe, stay aware, and continue to follow updates from the National Weather Service and local emergency officials.

Updates have been made to the Flood Watches that were previously in effect across portions of the Susitna Valley. The Flood Watch for the Western Susitna Valley has been canceled and replaced with a Flood Warning for the Yentna River at Lake Creek until 1 PM AKDT Friday. A Flood Warning has also been issued for the Petersville Area until 5 PM AKDT Wednesday. The Flood Watch for the Central Susitna Valley remains issued through Wednesday afternoon. See the graphic for more details.