City might lose out on money for summer wildfire helicopter

February 11, 2010

The city might not have money to fund a wildland firefighting helicopter that it has used for four or five years. (File/KTUU-DT)

by Jason Lamb
Thursday, February 11, 2010

ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- The Anchorage Fire Department has gotten used to a firefighting helicopter over the last few years, but now it's on the chopping block.

The city is now counting on state money or a new federal grant to keep a helicopter in the air this summer to help with wild fires.

Just behind the firefighter memorial at Merrill Field is where they keep the contracted helicopter during the summer.

But if something isn't done soon, that parking spot might stay vacant this year.

Firefighters say it's a useful tool, especially in getting to outlying areas of the city quickly during dangerously dry summer conditions.

"A lot of those places it takes a long time, and maybe there isn't road service to get to a fire. So it's really valuable there with the bucket drops and buying time for the other crews to get in there," said Anchorage fire union president Tom Wescott.

In summer the dry brush nearby a house fire could spark a big blaze, a perfect use for the helicopter in a place without water access. The loss of the chopper could make this summer a bit more challenging than the past.

"I'd like to remain an optimist and hope it comes through," Wescott said.

There's no money to contract a helicopter this year. The one-time grant money funding the helicopter is drying up.

"We've had it probably for the last four or five years; it's a federal grant. Sen. Stevens helped us get it," said Anchorage Fire Chief Mark Hall.

Hall says the department has applied for other grants to fund it this summer, but he hasn't heard back.

Until then, the fire department says chopper-sharing agreements with other agencies will have to suffice.

"It's a definite asset, and in a perfect world where there was tons of money, that would be a great thing to have, but… the folks will get the same service with our guys responding and our mutual aid agreements," Hall said.

Aside from more grants, the city's also asking the state for $500,000 in its annual legislative program-- a wish list of sorts.

"It would help us with the crews, with the helicopter, the contract for the helicopter, but it would also help us with the staffing of the helicopter," Hall said.

But without the funding, Anchorage firefighters and residents may have to get used to what it was like five years ago with no helicopter to help out.

When it comes to possible money from the state, Hall says he doesn't expect an answer to that until after this summer, perhaps September or October.

Contact Jason Lamb at jlamb@ktuu.com

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