Thanks to the Community on Nelli Juan Rescue

The Bear Creek Volunteer Fire Department would like to extend a thank you to the community members of Seward for their assistance with Search and Rescue efforts over the weekend of February 5^th 2010. There was a huge outpouring of contributions from the community.

In particular we would like to thank some of the individuals that came out and rode with the Emergency Responders to the Nelli Juan rescue point such as; Jimmer Dick, Gary Elde, Jake Elhard, Jesse Groom, Justin Reese, Cody Seymor, Thomas Shea, Tekoa Wallace, and Phil Zimmerman. Additionally we would like to thank the Espelin Family and Adventures 60* North for offering up winter gear, tents and sleeping bags for our volunteers and patient bearing the brunt of the intense weather.

We would also like to thank the Apollo Restaurant and Christo’s Palace for donating five pizzas each to the rescue efforts, your food kept our bellies full and our minds sharp!

And finally, last but certainly not least we would like to thank Jason Cournoyer and the Seward Chapter of the Alaska Moose Federation! It was with the Moose Federation’s Sno Cat that aid came to some of the rescuers that may have otherwise been stuck in the elements as their snowmachines became submerged in the icy water crossings. We can see that the Moose Federation’s Sno Cat will be a critical resource to the Bear Creek Fire Department in future rescue efforts on our local mountainous terrain!

Again the Bear Creek Volunteer Fire Department would like to thank all of the volunteers that became involved in the rescue efforts at Nelli Juan. Without all of you our job would have been much more difficult.

Veterans Celebration, Sunday Nov. 15th 2pm

A Veterans Day Celebration is being held on Sunday November 15th, 2009 at 2pm at the Seward Resort! We would like to invite all Active and Veteran Military Personnel, in addition to first responders such as Seward Police Department, Seward Fire Department, Seward Volunteer Ambulance Corp, Bear Creek Volunteers, Moose Pass Fire Company Volunteers, and Lowell Point Emergency Service Area Volunteers and their families!

The event is being held in honor of those that serve our country on the battle lines and here at home. There will be great home cooked food, and live music, in addition to some notable speakers!

There is no charge for this event and it will be a family friendly atmosphere. The event is sponsored by Marathon Ministries. We look forward to seeing you all!

Veterans Day Celebration

A Veterans Day Celebration is being held on Sunday November 15th, 2009 at 2pm at the Seward Resort! We would like to invite all Active and Veteran Military Personnel, in addition to first responders such as Seward Police Department, Seward Fire Department, Seward Volunteer Ambulance Corp, Bear Creek Volunteers, Moose Pass Fire Company Volunteers, and Lowell Point Emergency Service Area Volunteers and their families!

The event is being held in honor of those that serve our country on the battle lines and here at home. There will be great home cooked food, and live music, in addition to some notable speakers!

There is no charge for this event and it will be a family friendly atmosphere. The event is sponsored by Marathon Ministries. We look forward to seeing you all!

Live Burn Training Announcement

The Bear Creek Volunteer Fire Department has obtained a permit from the Department of Environmental Conservation Air Quality Program for a Live Burn Training on either Saturday October 3^rd or Saturday October 10^th from approximately 9am to 5pm. Materials to be burned are the remains of a Shop/Out building that burned previously on September 3^rd, 2009 located at 31832 Herman Leirer Road. If you have any questions or concerns you may contact the Bear Creek Volunteer Fire Department at 907-224-3345 thank you.

Firefighter I Course at Bear Creek Fire Department

The Bear Creek Volunteer Fire Department is offering a Firefighter I Course from Monday October 26th, 2009 to Saturday February 6th, 2010. The class will be be evenings and some weekends through the duration of the class. It is open to the public, but space is limited, if you are interested please give a call to the station Monday through Friday between 8am and 2pm 907-224-3345. Otherwise we encourage anyone interested in volunteering to attend the training meetings every Thursday night at 7:30 pm at the Bear Creek Station, Mile 5 Seward Hwy.

B.A.S.H. in Seward August 6-8

B.A.S.H. (Back at School w/ Him) will be happening in Seward  August 6-8.  This is a statewide event sponsored and coordinated by Marathon Ministries.  Each summer, churches scattered across the state and city are invited to attend this series of services encouraging young people, ages 12-18, returning to school.  This year, a well-know evangelist from Alabama, Rev. Shane Britt and a recorded musician from Louisiana, Brandon Lomen, will  travel to Seward for this exciting event.

Services begin Thursday night at 7pm with late night food and activities following.  Friday and Saturday begin with continental breakfast at the church at 10:30am with a SonRise service following at 11:00am.  Lunch will be served and followed by afternoon activities which will have youth interacting with people all over the community.  Activities will include a Scavenger Hunt and Bigger and Better competition. Each evening includes a worship service at 7pm with meals following and more late night activities such as swimming, talent show and BBQ.  Sunday wraps up the event with special music at the 3pm service.

Local youth are encouraged to attend.   This event will offer locals music, ministry, and more!  Marathon Ministries is located on the corner of Third and Adams.  Any questions or contributions, please contact Pastor Peyton and Ada Sparks at 224-5468.

Alaska/Yukon District Youth Choir Concert

On their 1st annual “Freedom” tour the Alaska/Yukon District Youth Choir is having a concert featuring contemporary christian worship music. The concert will be held at the Harbor Master Office in Seward on Friday July 24th at 5:30pm. The concert is FREE to attend please come and enjoy the amazing talent of the Alaska/Yukon District Youth including Pastor Peyton Sparks on the base. This event is being hosted by Seward’s Marathon Ministries; if you have questions or need more information about this event please call – 907-224-5468 or 907-362-1503, thank you.

Alaska/Yukon District Youth Choir Concert

On their 1st annual “Freedom” tour the Alaska/Yukon District Youth Choir is having a concert featuring contemporary Christian worship music. The concert will be held at the Harbor Master Office in Seward on Friday July 24th at 5:30pm. The concert is FREE to attend please come and enjoy the amazing talent of the Alaska/Yukon District Youth. This event is being hosted by Seward’s Marathon Ministries. For more information or questions about this event call 907-224-5468 or 907-362-1503, Thank you.

SRL Mud Bog Sunday July 5th, Noon

The fun doesn’t stop on the 4th of July, the Seward Racing Lions are holding their 3rd Annual Mud Bog Competition this year at the Seward Racing Lions Motorpark at mile 5 of Nash Road. If you’ve never had the chance to experience this event this is the year to do it; with trucks coming from all over the state as well as the locals digging in for some good old mudsllinging, it will be a BLAST for all who attend.   The fun starts at Noon, registration begins at 10:30 am at the SRL Motorpark. The cost to compete is $30 per entry with five classes to run in; ATV’s, Snowmachines, Trucks, Modified Trucks and Super-Modified Trucks. The cost to watch is $5/person. All the funds raised by this event go back to track improvments. There will be snacks, sweatshirts, stickers and memberships available as well.  If you’ve never been there it’s the first left just AFTER the mile 5 sign at the end of Nash Road, follow the signs.   See you all there!

Seward Racing Lions 3rd Annal Mud Bog!

This year is going to be better than ever! We are gearing up for the 3rd annual Seward Racing Lions Mud Bog!  The fun will be taking place on Sunday July 5th at noon! The event will take place at the Seward Racing Lions Motorpark at the end of Nash Road in the Seward Marine Industrial Park. (Take a left on Jellison, the park will be at the end on your right) 

 Admission will be $5 per spectator with a family rate for large groups! The entry fee for competition is $30; this year we will provide a trophy to our winners!

If you are interested in helping out with this event or getting involved in your community we can always use an extra hand!  The Seward Racing Lions will be meeting this coming Wednesday the 24th at 7pm at the Bear Creek RV Park to discuss more details for the big event, please attend if you are interested! 

P.S. All the competitors will recieve a Seward Racing Lions auto decal (while supplies) last so be sure to be there at 11am to sign up for the races!

Any questions or comments can be directed to sewardracinglions@hotmail.com or call Jena Petersen at 907-362-1741

Bear Creek Firefighters attend iWomen Conference in Omaha

Currently the Bear Creek Volunteer Fire Department has six active Volunteer Firefighters that are women. A couple of weeks ago three of them had an opportunity to travel to Omaha Nebraska for the International Women in the Fire & Emergency Services Conference. Tanya Ivy, Cindy Beardsley and Jena Petersen (myself) all packed up our gear bags and headed to Omaha for four days of training workshops, speakers and fun.

On our first day we were able to here the words of wisdom from Billy Goldfeder Deputy Fire Chief of the Loveland-Symmes FD in S.W. Ohio. Chief Goldfeder was able to share with us words of encouragement and memorable stories of other women firefighters. As well as uncountable stories, Read more

Benefit for Kevin Towsley

Kevin Towsley, a local Firefighter & long time Seward resident is currently fighting Pancreatic Cancer and is receiving

treatments. Kevin is Chairman of Bear Creek Volunteer Fire & Emergency Medical Services, Inc and volunteer Fire Captain with the Bear Creek Fire Service Area.  He is currently employed by the City of Seward, Public Works department as a Heavy Equipment Operator. Since moving to Seward in 1981 Kevin has also worked in corrections for the City of Seward and at Spring Creek Corrections Center.

Friends of Kevin Towsley are planning a benefit Spaghetti Dinner and auction for Saturday, April 25^th starting at 5:00 pm at the American Legion Post 5.  An adult dinner is a $10.00 donation or children $7.00. Activities will include auctions, split the pot raffle and activities for children also.  Tickets may be purchased at the Bear Creek Fire Department or from friends of Kevin.

“Kevin has given so much to the community with his countless hours of volunteering and assisting others within the community, now its time for the community to assist one of its own.” according to Mark Beals, Bear Creek Fire Chief.

If you are unable to attend the benefit dinner, but would still like to contribute, an account is also set up for the benefit of Kevin at Wells Fargo under the Bear Creek Volunteers. Donations may be made at the bank or sent to BCVFD, P.O Box 1565 Seward, AK 99664

Individuals wanting to assist with the benefit dinner, donate items for the auction or help in other ways may call Betty Gilmore at 224-8478 or the Bear Creek Fire Department at 224-3345. Supplies for the dinner have been donated by the Seward Police Department Employees’ Association.

Bear Creek to Host Firefighter Academy

The Bear Creek Fire Service Area is planning to host a Firefighter academy with funding received from the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program.

“We have some of the best equipment on the Kenai Peninsula for a community our size, but it takes Volunteers to make it work and that’s our primary area of concern right now, Bear Creek Volunteer Fire Department needs volunteers, so do other Volunteer Fire Departments in this area.” -Fire Chief Mark Beals

Bear Creek is hoping to add new members to its ranks with this training as well as training the current membership.Support and Driver/Operator positions are also available at the department. Bear Creek averages 6 volunteers at fire responses and with a large fire more individuals are needed to assist with water supply.

The program certifications that are being offered are Emergency Trauma Technician (ETT), and Firefighter one and two. They will be given in three classroom portions over the next 10 months.

The 40 hour ETT portion of the course will start April 24th and be held Friday, Saturday and Sunday for two weekends. The ETT course teaches responders to render aid before the ambulances arrival and then the skills that are necessary to assist the ambulance crew with medical care including assessment, stabilization and packaging.

The 120 hour Firefighter One course will begin in the fall with a 40 hour Firefighter two after the New Year. Total classroom hours will be about 200 hours and result in certification from the State of Alaska Emergency Medical Service and Fire Service Training Board.

Bear Creek has also inquired with the Kenai Peninsula College and Seward High School about offering high school and or college credit for completion of the courses being offered. The process of having the classes brokered has been initiated and hopefully will be in place by the start of the Firefighter courses in the fall in order to offer the credits for class completion.

The course will be open to members of all the area fire departments. Interested individuals should contact their local Fire Department or call the Bear Creek Station at 224-3345 for information.

Mayor’s Advisory Group Discussions

Kenai Peninsula Borough MAYOR DAVID CAREY

 

Cordially invites all Kenai Peninsula Borough residents to the
Mayor’s Advisory Group Discussions regarding “Waters in the Kenai
Peninsula Borough, i.e., rivers, streams, and salt water.” (Information
will be posted at the Mayor’s website for dates and locations.)

 

The Public is invited to meet and speak with Mayor Carey at the
following locations:

First Saturday of each month for February, March, April, and May 2009
Kenai Peninsula Borough Building, Soldotna
Assembly Chambers
10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. (Noon)
Second Saturday of each month for February, March, April, and May 2009
City of Homer
City Council Chambers
10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. (Noon)
Third Saturday of each month for February, March, April, and May 2009
City of Seward in the locations below from
10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. (Noon)
2/21/09 – Meeting at the Seward Library
3/20/09 – Meeting at the Bear Creek Fire Station
4/18/09 – Meeting at the Seward Library
5/16/09 – Meeting at the Bear Creek Fire Station

Please join us to talk and discuss issues concerning the Kenai Peninsula Borough

Bear Creek starts off the year with bang!

The Bear Creek Volunteer Fire Department responded to a reported fully involved shop on Old Exit Glacier Road at 6:50 am on January 1^st giving the volunteers an early morning and a kick start to the New Year.

 In the chilling 7 degrees above zero weather the Department responded with 3 Units and 8 Volunteers finding a smaller building behind the shop fully involved. Seward Fire Department was also initially requested, but cancelled after Bear Creek’s arrival.

 The Building was quickly extinguished with hand lines using the department’s Compressed Air Foam System (CAFS). The foam acts as a fire suppressant allowing the water to penetrate and cover the fuels cutting off the oxygen supply. Water use was 2,500 gallons with a total of 6,500 gallons available on scene. Bear Creeks rescue pumper with the Compressed Air Foam System was the first such unit purchased by the Kenai Peninsula Borough in 2004. Now several such units are across the Borough as other Fire Departments have adopted the technology, decreasing the water needed to extinguish the fires and decreasing water damage at incidents.

 The building was a total loss authorities listed the cause of the fire as suspicious. Seward Fire Department and the Alaska State Troopers also assisted with the investigation.

 The Department Volunteers meet every Thursday night at 7:30 pm and are always in need of apparatus drivers, operators and firefighters. The Department responded to 133 incidents in 2008, down from a high of 164 runs in 2007, but still above its 5 year average.  Please call the Bear Creek Fire Station  at 907-224-3345 if you have any questions.

 

Parents Night Out!

Parents take a night for yourselves, Marathon Ministries is hosting a fundraiser on Saturday, November 15th from 6 to 10pm. The members of Marathon Ministries are offering a safe fun environment for you to bring your children and go out for the night worry free!  Activities for the children will include snacks, crafts, games and  a theatre style movie. Ages two and up are welcome! Cost is $15 per child for the evening. Limited space is available so please call and reserve your place today! You can call Rebekah Ivy at 362-1228 to reserve your space, location of the activity is in the church at the corner of Third and Adams.

Bear Creek Volunteer Fire Department Receives Grant

The Bear Creek Fire Service Area has received a Public Safety Interoperable Communications grant in the amount of $233,110.00 from the Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. 

The grant focuses on three areas, development of a communications plan and standard operating procedures for inter agency communication on the Eastern Kenai Peninsula, implementation of the National Incident Management Systems and inter operational communication equipment including portable radios, mobile radios and pagers for emergency responders.

The Bear Creek Service Area Board, recognizing that we are such a mobile population and residence of the Seward and Bear Creek communities travel the Seward and Sterling Highways frequently, have made an effort to assist other departments with communications and grant applications.  This is the second regional communications grant the department has received to benefit the Eastern Kenai Peninsula.   Departments benefiting from the grant include Lowell Point Emergency Services, Seward Volunteer Ambulance Corps, LifeMed Air Ambulance, Moose Pass Fire Company, Cooper Landing Emergency Services, Hope Sunrise EMS and Fire, along with the Bear Creek Fire Service Area.

The Bear Creek Department with assistance of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Grants Management and Finance department has received over ½ million in federal funds for communications and other firefighting and rescue equipment the past 5 years.

The department has also recently received a Department of Forestry grant in the amount of $9,693.00 and a State Legislative grant for site work towards its future Multi-Use Facility in the amount of $55,000.00.

Bear Creek Firefighters attend National Fire Academy

Bear Creek Volunteer Fire Department has had four volunteers attend the National Fire Academy Volunteer Incentive Program this year in Emmetsburg, Maryland.  The Volunteer Incentive Program (VIP) is an intensive 6-day educational opportunity designed specifically for volunteer and combination department emergency services personnel.

Courses are offered during a “VIP Week” four times per fiscal year, they also have recommended college accreditation through the American Council on Education (ACE).Students have the opportunity to meet and exchange ideas and information with colleagues from across the country in an informal setting outside the classroom.

Twice a year volunteers from throughout the country apply for acceptance to the Academy for courses in Emergency Management, Emergency Medical Services, Fire Service, Public Education, Hazardous Materials, Arson Investigation and Incident Command.

Lieutenant Cole Petersen, Chaplain/Lieutenant Peyton Sparks and Firefighter Nick Lester attended Command and Control of Incident Operations at the academy September 13^th thru the 19^th. The 7 day course included community preplanning, incident command operations, and emergency response simulations. During the simulations the students rotated positions from the dispatcher to the incident commander responding to a multitude of changing fire conditions.

Firefighter/EMT Dave Christensen also attended Fire Cause Determination for company officers at the Academy July 20^th thru the 25th earlier this year.

While Fire Departments are generally responding to less structure fires due to fire prevention and improved building codes, this education is critical for developing the skills needed to run an effective fire incident command system.

The only cost to the Bear Creek Fire Department was for meals at the academy. The United States Fire Administration provides a stipend paying for travel, lodging and the other educational materials. More information on the VIP program can be found at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/nfa/resident/vip/index.shtm

Thanks from the Seward Racing Lions!

The Seward Racing Lions would like to send out a big thank you to the following organizations for there donations of time, money and efforts towards making this years Mud Bog Competition a success:

• Quality Marine of Alaska, No Sweatt Auto, ALERS Enterprises and Holland America Lines all together these companies donated approximately $2,500.00 to help fuel the equipment that was used to improve the Seward Racing Lions Motorpark.
• Thank you to Metco for the bulldozer work, on the rally course.
• Dan Rough for the countless hours of use that was given in his bulldozer throughout the month of June.
• Avalanche Enterprise for coming out and helping to dig the Mud Bog pit and walk paths several times.
• Leif Olson and Marv for time spent on improvements to the property.
• Afognak Logging for assistance in moving the walkway bridges.
• The City of Seward for the walkway bridges and extensive cooperation in our endeavors.
• The Parks and Recreation Department for the use of the over flow parking lot.
• Thanks to the Seward Ships Drydock for the last minute use of the loader.
• State of Alaska DOT crew for the parking lot work.

Last but not least, thank you to all the individual heavy equipment operators that have donated there time as well as the countless others that spent your time and energy at the Seward Racing Lions Motorpark.

Thank you to Holland America for grant $$$

The Seward Racing Lions Club would like to extend there gratitude to Holland America Lines for selecting them to receive there grant funds of $1,000.00. The Seward Racing Lions were able to use the funds that were donated to help buy fuel for the heavy equipment that was used to improve the Seward Racing Lions Motorpark for the 2^nd Annual Mud Bog Competition this year. With the funds that were donated the club was able to build a rally course for dirt bikes and other a.t.v.’s to ride at the north end of the track. Also, they were able to put together the Mud course and spectator area that held the almost two hundred people that came out for this year’s Mud Bog Competition over the 4^th of July weekend. Again the Seward Racing Lions would like to say thank you to Holland America Lines and their Seward advisory board for choosing us to receive their grant funds this year.

Sincerely,

Seward Racing Lions Club #68816

Seward Racing Lions 2nd Annual Mud Bog!

Here we go again, this year is gearing up to be better than last year. The Seward Racing Lions have been putting a lot of effort into building up and cleaning up the SRL Motorpark to be ready for this years Mud Bog competition. We have revamped the course and made the mud pit bigger and better than ever! This year we will have snacks, sweatshirts and don’t forget the best part… MUD! This years Mud Bog is on Saturday, July 5th at NOON. The event will be held at the SRL Motorpark at the end of Nash rd. Signs will be posted to help you find your way. Registration starts at 10:30am. The prizes for this years competitions will be for First place of your category 75% of the competition fees and Second place will receive the remaining 25%, so the more competition the better the prize. Cars, Trucks, Fourwheelers, Snowmachines and anything else you want to get dirty are all welcome. “If you bring it, there will be mud.” We are looking forward to seeing the community come out again for what should prove to be another fun in the mud year! For more information please call (907) 362-1742 or email sewardracinglions@hotmail.com

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