Jerry Hanson

65, Male

North Pole, Alaska

United States

Profile Information:

Type of Organization

Fire/Rescue Department - Combination

Job Function

Assistant or Deputy Chief

Years in Fire/EMS:

25

Primary Fire/EMS Department:

North Pole, Alaska

Years With Department/Agency

13

Dept. Web Site:

http://northstarfire.org

Other Past or Current Departments and Organizations

North Star Volunteer Fire Dept., 5 years as Volunteer.
Seattle Fire Department, 12 years downtown on Ladder 4.

Relationship Status:

Married

Top Issues Facing Responders:

Staffing (recruiting AND retention), rewarding and recognizing our dedicated but overworked volunteers, funding, replacing large fire apparatus and maintaining the buildings and other infrastructure. With the grant programs available today, most FD's have very good opportunities to secure one or more grants for the "loose" equipment (SCBA, turnouts, etc.), however there are very few grant programs for the really expensive stuff - fire apparatus, buildings, etc. Before long, many FD's are going to have rooms full of newer PPE and hand tools; and a deadlined 30+ year old fire engine that they cannot replace. Ironic, don't you think?

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