SitNews: Phase I of New South Tongass Fire Station Project In Progress

SitNews - Stories in the News - Ketchikan, Alaska

Phase I of New South Tongass Fire Station Project In Progress

October 16, 2007
Tuesday

Ketchikan, Alaska - Phase I of the new community fire station project continues as volunteers in cooperation with local rental agencies utilize the recent grant awarded for the Phase I clearing of the site for the future South Tongass Fire Station 4.

According to South Tongass Volunteer Fire Department's Fire Chief Scott R. Davis, Phase I of this project constitutes less than 5% of the total project which is scheduled to have a contractor selected in the next several months. He said funding from the State of Alaska for Phase II of the fire station is necessary to complete the project. Phase II of the construction is estimated at approximately 2 million dollars.

Phase I site clearing of this project constitutes less than 5% of the total project which is scheduled to have a contractor selected in the next several months.
Photo courtesy STVFD

The volunteers that make up the South Tongass Volunteer Fire Department are eager in the development of their new fire station for the community stated Chief Davis in the information release. Work at the site and behind the scenes is going on daily with dozens of members involved. Support functions such as delivering the firewood, meals and hydration are just a few of the many tasks needed behind the scenes to support workers and the new site for the fire station.

Davis stated, "Seemingly oblivious to the driving rain and cool temperatures, members are still traveling up to the site setting boundaries for the playground, setting stakes and measuring for the playground equipment. "

For the past two weeks, site clearing has occured between the hours of 8am and 5pm, Monday thru Saturday with an hour off for lunch.

Planned with the new fire station is a community center and playground. Local input is necessary to make both of these public areas a success and anyone with comments or suggestions can call 228-6673 for input, schedule for planning meetings and the like.

Fire Chief Davis stated, "The members of the South Tongass Volunteer Fire Department wish to thank the many business' in the Ketchikan area that have lent a hand in this incredible start to the realization of a new fire station!"

Members of the community are invited to visit the new site.