Houston fire department gets much-needed rescue truck

WASILLA — The City of Houston received a Christmas gift tailor-made for firefighters last month when it took delivery of a used rescue rig from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, thanks in part to the efforts of a borough fire official.

For months, Ken Barkley had his eye on the used, low-mileage fire truck, which was reaching the end of its scheduled service on the military base. The Matanuska-Susitna Borough’s deputy director of fire & rescue was one of the first drivers of the 1992 rig when he worked for the Fort Richardson department, where he spent 30 years.

“I was pretty familiar with the truck,” Barkley said Tuesday. “And over the years after I retired I kept in touch with chief David Donan and assistant chief Kerry Bakker and knew when it was going to become available.”

Houston Fire Department Chief Tom Hood said the truck arrived just in time.

“It is awesome, we are very happy to get it,” Hood said. “The truck it replaced is a 1991 Mack that was a refurbished trash truck from the Lower 48. It was basically falling apart.”

Hood thanked the borough along with the Alaska congressional delegation and Houston Mayor Virgie Thompson for their efforts as well.

“A lot of folks worked hard to get this,” he said.

Barkley said after getting the word that the truck was available, he worked closely with JBER maintenance technician Joe Beckham to stay informed on when the rig would be ready for the lengthy bidding procedure.

“It was a close to a nine-month process with quite a bit of paperwork involved,” Barkley said.

He credited the diligence of Hood and fire captain Christian Hartley for doing much of the heavy lifting.

“Those guys did all the federal paperwork to be eligible and were able to get it,” Barkley said. “It is a big acquisition.”

The truck will be able to hold all the department’s needed equipment and has a walk-in heated cab that can be used to get firefighters or patients out of the elements, Hood said.

Both Hood and Barkley made note of one of the truck’s bigger features, a $12,000 telescopic light tower mounted to the roof.

“It is a huge asset,” Barkley said. “It can be remotely operated and can turn 180 degrees. And with our months of darkness, illuminating the scene is vital.”

Barkley said he was glad to be able to facilitate the process of getting the truck.

“Houston often aids the borough in emergency calls,” he said. “We were happy to make the connection, not only helping Houston gain a rescue truck and JBER find a home for the truck, but also enhancing the number of apparatus on hand in the community.”

Contact reporter Steven Merritt at 352-2269 or steven.merritt@frontiersman.com