Wrangell Volunteer Fire Department

09/12/2026

🇺🇸 WVFD 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb 🇺🇸

On September 11, 2001, firefighters, law enforcement officers, EMS providers, and other first responders rushed toward danger as thousands evacuated the World Trade Center. Memorial stair climbs traditionally challenge participants to climb 110 flights, representing the 110 stories of each Twin Tower and honoring those who made that difficult ascent.

During WVFD’s memorial climb, firefighters climbed steadily for 12 consecutive hours. WVFD Firefighters completed a combined total of 2,001 flights of stairs, a fitting tribute to the year that forever changed our nation.

Many WVFD members completed the full 110-flight memorial climb, while several continued far beyond that milestone:

• Two WVFD Fire Officers each completed 343 flights, honoring the 343 FDNY firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice.

• One WVFD firefighter who is also a Wrangell Police Officer completed 300 flights.

• Members of the public joined the tribute and collectively completed 151 flights.

This was more than a physical challenge. Every flight represented remembrance, respect, and gratitude for those who answered the call that morning and for all who lost their lives.

Thank you to everyone who climbed, encouraged our participants, and joined WVFD in keeping their memory alive.

September 11, 2001 — We will never forget.

09/12/2026

We will be here at the Firehall for a little bit longer!

So far WVFD Members have completed 1,261 flights of stairs.

Community members have contributed another 70 flights of stairs.

Swing on by if you want to check it out!

09/11/2026

The full "All Out" siren test signified the first firefighters arriving at the World Trade Center.

There is no emergency.

Reminder, the noon test is a 3 second siren activation, the Firefighter "All Out" siren is 12 seconds on, 12 seconds off for 2 minutes, and the Tsunami siren is 3 minutes of continous siren.

09/05/2026

🔥 Woronkofski Island Fire Update

WVFD is aware of a small forest fire burning on Woronkofski Island. The U.S. Forest Service is monitoring the fire and has advised that no action is requested from WVFD at this time. The Forest Service has a team underway to evaluate the fire.

Residents may notice smoke in the area. Please avoid approaching the fire and allow the appropriate agencies to continue monitoring conditions.

This is also an important reminder to use extreme caution with fireworks. Even a small spark can ignite dry grass, brush, or timber. Never discharge fireworks near vegetation.

We will provide additional information if conditions change.

09/04/2026

🇺🇸 **WVFD 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb**

On Friday, September 11, beginning at **8:52 a.m.**, members of the Wrangell Volunteer Fire Department will gather at the Fire Hall for a memorial stair climb honoring those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001.

The start time marks the approximate arrival of the first FDNY companies at the North Tower. Those firefighters entered the building and began climbing toward the impact zone while thousands of people were evacuating.

Using the department’s stair-climb machine, participants will work toward completing 110 flights, representing the 110 stories of each World Trade Center tower and the difficult ascent undertaken by firefighters that morning.

**Public Participation**

Community members are invited to participate between firefighter rotations or after the department’s climb. You may climb a few flights individually or form a team to complete the full 110-flight memorial climb.

Teams may divide the flights among their members in any way they choose.

WVFD will track each team’s combined progress until it reaches 110 flights. There is no required team size, minimum individual flights, or a time limit. The event is not a race or competition, every flight climbed is an act of remembrance.

The climb honors the 343 FDNY Members, the other first responders and civilians who died that day, and those who have since lost their lives from 9/11-related illnesses.

Twenty-five years later, their courage and sacrifice have not been forgotten.

Never Forget.

#343

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08/15/2026

🚢🔥 Heads up, Wrangell!

If you’re still awake around midnight tonight and happen to see some flares going off from the ACL cruise ship out in front of town, don’t worry, they are just doing some flare training.

No emergency, just some late-night safety training on the water.

So if you see the sky light up, grab a look out the window and enjoy the show! 👀🌊

🚢🔥 Training only, no cause for alarm.

08/05/2026

🚑🚑🚑 Why does Wrangell have three ALS Ambulances?

Because sometimes one Ambulance just isn’t enough… and sometimes two are already busy!

WVFD is powered by more than 30 volunteers, with over half certified at the Advanced Life Support level. That means a whole lot of training, dedication, and people willing to answer the call at all hours.

It is actually pretty common for two Ambulances to be in use at the same time. While one crew may be transporting a patient, another may be responding to a second emergency, assisting with a serious call, or getting cleaned and restocked for the next one.

That is when the third Ambulance goes from “extra” to extremely important.

Since Wrangell cannot simply borrow an Ambulance from the department down the road, we work hard to make sure we have the equipment and trained volunteers needed to handle overlapping emergencies.

Three ALS Ambulances. More than 30 volunteers. One amazing community.

And yes… sometimes all three sets of lights really do get a workout! 🚨

07/31/2026

07/16/2026

🌲 **Planning a hike? Remember: it's always okay to ask for help early.**

If you become lost or injured, **don't wait to call Search and Rescue**, especially later in the day as daylight begins to fade. What may seem like a minor injury can quickly become a much bigger problem as you attempt to hike out on your own. Calling early often allows us to reach you faster, in safer conditions, and may even prevent a nighttime search.

Our volunteers would much rather respond and discover you made it out safely than have you delay calling until the situation becomes an emergency.

**On July 14, 2026,** Wrangell Search and Rescue responded to a report of hikers who were lost, with one member of the group reporting a minor leg injury. A TEMSCO helicopter was launched to locate and, if necessary, transport the hikers. While the helicopter was en route, SAR personnel were able to provide navigation assistance over the phone, allowing the group to safely make the 1+ mile backcountry hike back to their vehicle.

The helicopter and SAR crew located the hikers and landed nearby to make contact with the hikers and confirm everyone was safe before returning to service.

This was a great outcome and a reminder that **calling early gives everyone the best chance for a safe resolution.**

🥾 Before heading out:
• Tell someone where you're going and when you expect to return.
• Carry the essentials for hiking.
• Bring a fully charged cell phone, but don't rely on it for communication.
• Consider carrying a satellite communication device, such as a Garmin inReach, ZOLEO, or similar device. In many areas around Wrangell, satellite messaging may be your only reliable way to contact emergency services.
• If things aren't going as planned, **don't hesitate to call for help early.**

We are always happy to respond and return home if we're not needed. We'd much rather receive an early call than have to search for someone after dark because they waited too long to ask for help.

07/01/2026

🇺🇸 Wrangell Volunteer Fire Department 4th of July Fireworks 🎆

The Wrangell Volunteer Fire Department is excited to once again bring our community a safe and spectacular Independence Day fireworks show!

We LOVE seeing everyone come out to celebrate. We also want everyone, including our volunteers, to go home with all of their fingers, eyebrows, and equipment intact.

🚫 No Aerial Fireworks Near the Display 🚫

Beginning at Noon and continuing until the display is completely over, there will be ZERO tolerance for launching aerial fireworks anywhere from Outer Drive to the Stikine Inn, including the dock and WVFD fireworks display area.

This isn't about taking away anyone's fun. It's about keeping our volunteers, spectators, and the fireworks display area safe.

During setup and throughout the show, our personnel are working around large quantities of professional fireworks and pyrotechnic equipment. Even a single consumer firework or burning ember landing in the setup area creates an unnecessary and potentially serious safety hazard.

Fireworks launched into or near the setup area may delay or even result in the cancellation of the community fireworks display if conditions become unsafe.

Last year, multiple aerial fireworks landed in or dangerously close to our personnel and equipment. We're asking everyone to help ensure that doesn't happen again.

Please enjoy the show, leave the aerial fireworks to the WVFD display team, and launch your own fireworks from a safe location well away from the display area.

We've also heard that Wrangell Police Department will be actively enforcing illegal and unsafe fireworks use throughout the evening, so please make smart choices and help us keep this event safe for everyone.

🔥 "Something's on Fire!" 🔥

During the show, you may notice small fires on the dock or around the launch site.

Relax... it's probably cardboard or other display materials doing exactly what they're supposed to do.

Yes, we know about it.
Yes, it's part of the plan.
Yes, we have it under control.

And while we truly appreciate the enthusiasm...

Please do not grab a brand-new fire extinguisher off one of our rescue rigs, ignore firefighters telling you to stay back, and run onto the dock in the middle of the fireworks show.

Yes... that actually happened last year.

If you enjoy putting out fires that much, we'd love to put that enthusiasm to good use! Stop by the Fire Hall and pick up a volunteer application. 😉

Thank you for helping us make this a safe, enjoyable, and memorable Fourth of July for everyone. Your cooperation allows our volunteers to focus on putting on the best fireworks show possible.

Have a safe and happy Independence Day, and we'll see you at the show!

Happy 4th of July from the Wrangell Volunteer Fire Department! 🇺🇸🚒🎇