Petersburg officials report volunteer roster, staffing shortfalls and equipment grants; training prop move may be costly

Director Henkins told the board the borough’s volunteer roster currently lists 79 members and three paid staff, with 28 fire members (including 11 engineers), 33 EMS members (including 11 drivers and multiple EMT levels), and 37 search‑and‑rescue members. He said the department is short staff in dispatch and patrol and is pursuing grant funding to aid recruitment and equipment needs.

Henkins described ongoing grant work: applications for an Assistance to Firefighters Grant, participation in an Alaska Municipal League regional SAFER grant for recruitment/retention, congressional directed spending proposals for an engine replacement, and coordination with USDA for a grant disbursement. He said a SCBA replacement award was approved and equipment has been ordered; the transcript references a $225,000 award and an additional supplemental amount described inconsistently in the record (discrepancy noted below).

On facilities, Henkins said the firefighting training prop and tower must be removed or relocated because leaseholders expect operations to cease by the end of September and the borough to be out by Dec. 31. He said moving the tower could be technically difficult or prohibitively expensive and estimated overall moving or replacement costs in the "$800,000 plus" range; he offered to provide an official report to the assembly with detailed quotes and options.

Henkins also said loss of the drill ground could change the borough’s ISO rating from a class 4 to class 5, which he estimated could increase insured homeowners’ premiums by roughly 10%—a calculation the borough’s insurer reportedly contests. He said many residents outside the service area lack insurance, which would leave them exposed.

Other items Henkins raised included plans to participate in a DoD/MIT high‑frequency radio study using a temporary monopole and Starlink backhaul, a nascent drone search‑and‑rescue program and training, and work on updating the borough’s all‑hazards and emergency operations plans (last updated in 2018 and 2010 respectively).

The board did not take formal action on grants or on relocating the training prop at the meeting; Henkins said he will provide documentation and cost estimates to the assembly for further consideration.