Assembly approves one-year funding to add EMS specialist position for emergency operations

The Fairbanks North Star Borough Assembly voted to approve an ordinance adding one full-time Emergency Operations specialist to the Emergency Medical Services division and to appropriate funds from the non-area-wide fund balance to cover the remainder of the current fiscal year.

Administration testimony said the position will bolster short-term capacity for the EMS division, which the borough described as lacking full-time depth. Emergency Operations Director Luke Butcher told the assembly the hire would address critical backlogs including a borough-wide radio inventory, FCC license audits and TDMA compliance work, mass-casualty trailer equipment refresh and planning, capital project management for Fire Service Areas, and development of an active-shooter policy and stakeholder coordination.

Butcher said the new position would report to the emergency services manager and provide continuity while the manager is expected to take several months of military leave. The administration proposed using the non-area-wide reserve fund; staff said the non-area-wide fund balance exceeds $3 million.

Budget detail discussed on the record: the assembly was told the FY25 one-time cost for the remainder of this fiscal year is about $16,170 and an ongoing annual cost for salary and benefits next year would be approximately $105,103 (figures as presented by staff). The ordinance appropriating the FY25 amount passed on a roll-call vote, 8-1.

Why it matters: Borough emergency operations handle radios and mass-care planning used across fire service areas and by volunteer departments. Administration said the position is needed to complete several time-sensitive projects and to ensure continuity of operations when the emergency services manager is on leave.

The assembly adopted the ordinance (roll-call recorded by the clerk).