A Dedicated Nonprofit Organization
Girdwood Fire and Rescue Inc. is a nonprofit organization contracted by the Municipality of Anchorage to provide fire, rescue, and emergency medical services (EMS) to the Girdwood Valley Service Area and the Turnagain Arm Community. With strong community support, Girdwood Volunteer Fire & Rescue was officially incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in 1998.
Commitment to Excellence
We are dedicated to delivering the highest level of care and service to our community. Since our incorporation, we have prioritized providing high-quality training that best meets the needs of Girdwood Valley. Our in-house training program offers members three levels of EMT certification, two levels of firefighter certification, and various additional certifications to enhance the quality of care. Members also participate in ongoing training to maintain their certifications and stay current on industry standards.
To keep costs low while maintaining a high standard of service, we actively apply for and receive grants for equipment and apparatus. We also maintain a strong relationship with the local firefighters’ union, jointly organizing fundraising events like the annual “Fill the Boot” for MDA.
Our Response Area
Girdwood is a rural Alaskan community with a coverage area of 172 square miles and a population of 2,800 residents. Beyond the residential area, our jurisdiction extends to hundreds of square miles of environmentally sensitive wilderness, home to threatened and endangered species. Approximately 95% of the land we cover is public.
We are the first responders to incidents along a critical transportation corridor that includes the Alaska Railroad, the Seward Highway, and the ENSTAR gas transmission pipeline. This corridor also contains the longest combination car and train tunnel in the U.S. (2.5 miles), which serves the deep-water port at Whittier.
Infrastructure and Key Locations
Our service area includes a variety of essential infrastructure, such as:
- Residential neighborhoods, schools, daycare centers, churches, restaurants, and stores
- Alaska’s largest ski resort, which includes a five-star hotel and regularly hosts international events such as the Special Olympics, Alpine National Ski Championships, and diplomatic meetings
- A National Forest Service Visitor Center
- Two Department of Transportation maintenance and operations facilities
- Two railroad stations
- A strip mall, a major water and wastewater treatment plant, and four electrical substations
Challenges and Mutual Aid
Girdwood is located in a major seismic zone known for the 1964 9.2-magnitude earthquake. The terrain varies from sea level at Turnagain Arm to elevations of 7,000 feet. Many single-family homes are in areas without fire hydrants, creating an urban/wildland interface challenge.
We work closely with neighboring departments and agencies, providing and receiving mutual aid from:
- Anchorage Fire Department
- Hope Fire Department
- Cooper Landing Fire Department
- Whittier Fire Department
- Alaska Mountain Rescue Group
- State of Alaska Division of Forestry
- Alaska State Troopers
