Gustavus Volunteer Fire Department
The Gustavus Volunteer Fire Department provides fire response, emergency medical services (EMS), and search and rescue for Gustavus and the surrounding area. The Department works closely with Alaska State Troopers, Glacier Bay National Park and the US Coast Guard, during search and rescue operations in the Gustavus, Glacier Bay, and Icy Strait areas. The GVFD is prepared to respond regionally to disasters when called.
Remember to call 911 or 697-1000 to activate any of the following services. Do not call the fire hall or a volunteer directly in an emergency.
- Medical Response - Gustavus Volunteer Fire Department has medically trained ETTs and EMTs to respond to medical calls, trauma calls and vehicle accidents. Our ambulance is fully equipped to care for the sick and injured, and transport to the appropriate facility.
- Search and Rescue - Gustavus Volunteer Fire Department has rescue volunteers ready to respond to reports of missing persons, lost persons or persons injured in remote areas. Search and rescue team members are crosstrained as medical personnel and can treat the sick and injured when found.
- Fire Response - Gustavus Volunteer Fire Department has trained volunteers to respond to structural and wild land fires, vehicle extractions and fire prevention.
NEW BURNING REGULATIONS ISSUED IN 2020
Help reduce human-caused wildfires in Alaska and "Take the Time to LEARN Before you Burn".
Burn permits are required by law during Alaska’s fire season from April 1st through August 31st, and at other times of the year as designated by the Commissioner of the Dept. of Natural Resources. This permit is required on state, municipal, or private lands where burning may not be subject to other federal, state, or local laws and regulations that are more restrictive. Gustavus has no local laws or regulations on burning, making Gustavus residents required to comply with the State Department of Forestry burning requirements.
- Small Scale Burn Permits are required for burn barrels, burning a maintained lawn of less than 1 acre, and a brush pile of organic material not exceeding 10 feet in diameter by 4 feet in height.
- Large Scale Burn Permits are required for any burning of wooded debris that exceeds the size and/or complexity of the Small Scale Burn Permit including agricultural parcels, land clearing, logging operations, and contractor certification burning.
- Alaska Wildland Fire protection laws apply year round and safe burning guidelines must be followed even when permits are not required. Burn permits are required on all state, municipal, borough, city, and private parcels not covered under local or federal laws.
See the state recommendations for safe burning practices here. Burn permits can be filled out online at https://dnr.alaska.gov/burn
