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Alaska Volunteer Fire Department

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Puposky, MN
Alaska Volunteer Fire Department

Alaska Volunteer Fire Department is a not-for-profit, fully volunteer fire department located 20 miles north of Bemidji, Minnesota.

Formed in 1986, Alaska Volunteer Fire Department provides fire coverage to the rural townships of Alaska, Nebish, Roosevelt and Maple Ridge. The firefighters, many of whom are state licensed (licensure by the state is not required of volunteer units) are true volunteers in that they are only minimally compensated for their time spent at training or on a fire scenes. State licensure requires that a firefighter receive 24 hours of training annually in order to maintain that license. This training is conducted at the fire hall using videos and the internet, as well as instructors from DNR Forestry, the Minnesota State Fire Marshals and private training companies. Occasionally firefighters travel to other cities, such as Mahnomen, Alexandria or Duluth, to attend fire schools put on at technical colleges. Even if firefighters are not state licensed, training is still required. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) requires that every firefighter receive 40 hours of training in basics prior to working on the fire scene. These basics are known as Firefighter 1, and all of AVFD's firefighters have been though it, as well as several refreshers for the veterans. The officers of AVFD have the added responsibility of attending meetings with Beltrami County Emergency Management, keeping track of truck maintenance, balancing the financial statements and arranging training. Along with our own fire coverage area, AVFD can also be called by any of our neighboring departments to assist them as well. It's called a "mutual aid agreement" and it means that if any department has a fire that stretches their resources, they can call on their neighboring departments for help. It has been put to use many times. The 2022 AVFD personnel roster includes:

Dave Wielenberg - Chief
Jim Morgan - Assistant Chief
Amy Zubke - Secretary / Treasurer
Ryan Benson - Firefighter
Matt Hawthorne - Firefighter
Carl Hightshoe - Firefighter
Gene Olson - Firefighter
Charlie Anderson- Probationary Firefighter
Rick Gorden - Firefighter
Andy St. Peter - Firefighter & Training Officer
Daniel Fraser - Probationary Firefighter
Jason Stubbe - Firefighter
Jason Petersen - Firefighter
Jon Jorgenson - Firefighter
Alexander Aman - Probationary Firefighter
Colton Jorgenson - Probationary Firefighter
Samuel Wielenberg - Junior Firefighter

01/29/2026

Glad the were able to find some people. Rural departments often face these challenges. Alaska is no different. We have several members who will likely be retiring in the next 2-5 years. If anyone in Alaska, Nebish, Maple Ridge, or Roosevelt townships has an interest, let us know.

After town leaders warned the Pemberton Volunteer Fire Department could shut down, residents and neighboring firefighters quickly stepped up

01/24/2026

Hats off to all involved!

09/03/2025

07/26/2025

Well, we’re a little late on the head’s up, but if you’re available tomorrow between 11:00-2:00, we’re holding out 39th annual community picnic and fundraiser. We hope you stop and see what we’ve been up to!

06/20/2025

Take it easy this weekend.

06/02/2025

It’s getting thick out there. Avoid going outside if you have any respiratory issues. The air quality alert has now been extended into Tuesday.

05/13/2025

Solway Fire Department is holding our first-ever raffle, with proceeds going to building updates to better suit the needs of our department as we continue to provide fire and rescue services to our community! Talk to any of our volunteer firefighters to purchase your tickets! Drawing for cash prizes will be held at JDs Rodeo on June 21!

05/11/2025

Hot, dry, and windy today, folks. Save the fires for a rainy day.

05/10/2025

Due to high winds and low humidity, a Red Flag Warning has been issued for parts of northwest Minnesota from 11 am-10 pm.

Don’t burn and check any recent burning to ensure the fire is out COLD! Campfires are strongly discouraged.

Be safe with ANY heat source that could cause a spark. In these conditions, any spark could easily cause a wildfire that spreads quickly.

Counties under the Red Flag Warning include Beltrami, Clearwater, Kittson, Lake of the Woods, Marshall, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake, and Roseau.

In addition, a Fire Weather Watch has been issued for nearly all of Minnesota for tomorrow, May 11. Use extra caution this weekend with anything that causes heat or sparks.

Check current fire danger and burning restrictions at www.mndnr.gov/burnrestrictions

Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watches are evolving situations. Check updates at www.weather.gov

Edited 5/10 at 6:38 am, to remove west-central counties Big Stone and Traverse which do not have Red Flags in effect today.

05/09/2025

Alaska Fire responded to a house fire this afternoon. Seven firefighters responded with 3 apparatus to extinguish the fire, which took 6.5 hours. Unfortunately, the house was a total loss. Thanks to Red Lake and Blackduck Fire Departments and DNR Forestry for the mutual aid response. Extra thanks to the DNR for the Giovanni’s Pizza and Gatorade they brought out, it was definitely appreciated.

Address

28987 Alaska Lane NW
Puposky, MN
56667

Website

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Formed in 1986, Alaska Volunteer Fire Department provides fire coverage to the rural townships of Alaska, Neebish, Roosevelt and Maple Ridge. The firefighters, many of whom are state licensed (licensure by the state is not required of volunteer units) are true volunteers in that they are only minimally compensated for their time spent at training or on a fire scenes. State licensure requires that a firefighter receive 24 hours of training annually in order to maintain that license. This training is conducted at the fire hall using videos and the internet, as well as instructors from DNR Forestry, the Minnesota State Fire Marshals and private training companies. Occasionally firefighters travel to other cities, such as Mahnomen, Alexandria or Duluth, to attend fire schools put on at technical colleges. Even if firefighters are not state licensed, training is still required. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) requires that every firefighter receive 40 hours of training in basics prior to working on the fire scene. These basics are known as Firefighter 1, and all of AVFD's firefighters have been though it, as well as several refreshers for the veterans. The officers of AVFD have the added responsibility of attending meetings with Beltrami County Emergency Management, keeping track of truck maintenance, balancing the financial statements and arranging training. Along with our own fire coverage area, AVFD can also be called by any of our neighboring departments to assist them as well. It's called a "mutual aid agreement" and it means that if any department has a fire that stretches their resources, they can call on their neighboring departments for help. It has been put to use many times. The 2019 AVFD personnel roster includes: Jon Jorgensen - Chief Jim Morgan - Assistant Chief Dave Wielenberg - Secretary & Treasurer Ryan Benson - Firefighter Bill Caddy - Firefighter Matt Hawthorne - Firefighter Carl Hightshoe - Firefighter Gene Olson - Firefighter Rick Gorden - Firefighter Andy St. Peter - Firefighter Ed Moe - Firefighter Jason Stubbe - Firefighter Jason Petersen - Firefighter Colton Jorgensen - Junior Firefighter