The University Fire Department is located on the main campus of the University of Alaska Fairbanks.  It is unique in that it is one of the few fire departments in the United States that provides protection to the campus as well as a large off campus service area and does it with student firefighters. The department consists of 11 full time staff and 40+ student firefighters. The fire department is part of an area wide mutual aid agreement and works with many other fire departments located in the Fairbanks North Star Borough. The use of mutual aid helps maximize the response capabilities of the area department while responding to major incidents or large disasters.  The Fire Department has a contract to provide both fire and EMS services in the off campus service area.  The University Fire Department has an ISO 2 in the hydranted area of the department and is currently working to lower the ISO rating in the non-hydranted areas.

The University Fire Department shall provide the citizens of the University of Alaska Fairbanks and the University Fire Service Area with progressive and effective life safety, protection of property and the environment, from the impacts of emergencies caused by fires, explosions, accidents, illness, hazardous materials, and storms. Prevention and public education will have an equal priority in this effort. As a central part of its mission the University Fire Department will develop future fire service leaders and provide research in the emergency services fields, specializing in challenges due to the arctic climate.

Starting in 1923 until 1964 the University Fire Department (UFD) provided fire protection to the campus using a bucket brigade and then primarily military surplus fire apparatus and equipment. Prior to involvement of the students, physical plant employees functioned as the campus fire brigade. The distance from the City of Fairbanks Fire Dept. and extremely poor road conditions, forced the campus into developing its own fire protection capabilities. In the mid 1950’s the surrounding college community approached the university and requested fire protection for the area adjacent to campus in the community of College. The University agreed to provide this protection and over the next 40+ years, has developed its coverage area to serve approximately 22,000 residents in 2006. During the 1960’s the department slowly progressed to an all student fire department and operated with a pumper truck which was housed in the maintenance buildings. In 1964, the fire station dormitory was constructed, housing 11 students, an apartment for the proctor, and two engines. Buck Whitaker was hired in 1967 as the department’s first Fire Chief. His job was to concentrate on fire codes, inspections and fire prevention for the campus. The current fire service contract with the Fairbanks North Star Borough was signed in 1984, when the FNSB assumed EMS powers.

The University Fire Department has expanded to the point where we now have two stations, one on campus and one off campus and we run shifts of 16-18 on duty each day.   Each shift consists of a Battalion Chief, two Captains and 13-15 student firefighters.

The firefighters are required to be students with the University of Alaska Fairbanks.  They must carry a minimum of six credits and maintain at least a 2.0 gpa. The students attend school while on duty and usually respond from class.  In cases where they cannot respond from class or they are out of the fire service area for their class they are required to have a class standby. They work a 24 hr on and 48 hr off shift schedule and are allowed a number of shift trades each semester for time off. The commitment from these students is not normally found in any type of student fire department. Most student departments do not work their students as if they are full time firefighters.

On the fire side, student firefighters must hold all positions from recruit firefighter to department engineer and on the EMS side they start at EMT 1 and work up to EMT 3A. In some cases they will also get their paramedic through the Paramedic Program.

Students must pass a physical agility test (CPAT), a written test and oral interview before being hired. Upon their hire they must complete a recruit academy. The main recruit academy is held during the summer (June-July) and ends with the State of Alaska FF1 test (IFSAC FF1). The winter academy (held only if necessary) usually runs during the Christmas break. Training is a constant part of their daily routine. With that in mind the department was able to purchase a Mobile Training Unit through a FEMA Grant which allows live fire training on a regular basis.

An average day for the firefighters can include:

• responding to Fire/Ems calls
• performing vehicle checks and maintenance
• station maintenance
• driver and pumper training
• fire ground operations training
• rescue/extrication training
• EMS training
• attending university classes