Tour two new fire stations in state's second

MAT-SU— The second busiest fire department in the state, the Central MAT-SU Fire Dept., is celebrating the opening of two new fire stations. Fire station 63 is on W. Horizon Drive off Knik Goose Bay Road and fire station 66 is on Fairview Loop near Snowshoe Elementary. Tour the stations. Enjoy hamburgers and hot dogs. Meet firefighters at two events: on Horizon Drive from 10 to 2 p.m. Dec. 4 and on Fairview Loop, Dec. 11 from 10 to 2 p.m.

In 2009, busy Central MAT-SU Fire Dept. responded to some 4,000 calls for medical, fire and rescue. The new stations are opening in one of the fastest growing regions of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough. The Knik-Fairview area was recently described as the fifth largest community in Alaska with more than 12,000 residents. The Borough overall has been the fastest growing region in Alaska for more than a decade. Central Fire Chief James Steele said the two new stations will reduce response time for emergencies.

"It's part of our strategic plan to provide better coverage in that area, reducing response times," Steele said. "For some property owners it may reduce insurance costs because a fire station is now within five miles of home."

The two new fire stations were paid for by fire service area funds, the Horizon station for $2.5 million and Fairview station for $1.5 million. Gary Wolf Architects, Inc. designed the buildings. Howdie, Inc. built them. The stations were completed just this week. Landscaping is planned for spring. The Horizon station was built to include a sleeping area for staff during large-scale emergencies. Five beds, a kitchen, and day room are included. Firefighters generally do not sleep at the stations. All frontline firefighters are paid on-call, when they respond and train, and often have another job.

Door prizes will be on hand. Learn about becoming a firefighter as well. For more information call Chief James Steele at 373-8805. Station 63 is at 11021 W. Horizon Drive, and Station 66 is at 2330 W. Fairview Loop. Click on the maps to view HorizonFireStation and FairviewLoopFireStation