Denali Borough assembly recommends fully funding emergency services grants for FY26

The Denali Borough Assembly on a unanimous recommendation voted to include full funding for volunteer emergency services grant requests in the FY2026 budget, the assembly said during a special grant-review session.

The recommendation, which the assembly forwarded to the mayor to be included in the draft FY26 budget, followed presentations from local emergency-service organizations describing personnel changes, equipment needs and program expansions that they said required additional support.

Why it matters: Volunteer fire and ambulance services provide primary emergency response across large parts of the borough. Assembly members said the grants help preserve existing volunteer capacity and avoid placing a larger direct service burden on borough government.

Community of Cantwell Inc., which authorizes Cantwell volunteer ambulance and fire services, asked for new stipend funding to help recruit and retain a maintenance lead and to cover accounting duties following the retirements of long‑time volunteers Marge and Dale Nord. Cynthia Bridal, identified in the application materials as Community of Cantwell’s representative, asked the assembly for support so the local ambulance and fire service can maintain vehicle and facility upkeep as leadership transitions occur.

McKinley Volunteer Fire Department assistant chief Tara Ciccatello told the assembly her department’s request was similar to prior years but included reduced overall spending and continued training and equipment needs: “We’re trying to get some new EMTs for our area,” Ciccatello said, describing coordination with Tri Valley for additional emergency medical personnel.

Tri Valley and other volunteer departments also described year‑round medical coverage expansions and added personal protective equipment needs. Finance clerk Nicole Dalton explained to the assembly that staff proposed administrative adjustments to avoid double‑counting items already paid directly by the borough (for example, dispatch line items).

Assembly discussion centered on the public‑safety importance of maintaining volunteer response across the borough. Assembly members praised long‑time volunteers and emphasized that preventing volunteer burnout and replacing aging volunteers were primary goals of the funding. After discussion, a motion to recommend full funding passed unanimously and the assembly chair said the mayor will include the recommendation in the FY26 budget proposals that proceed through the finance committee and then to the assembly for final adoption.

What’s next: The assembly’s recommendation now goes to the mayor for inclusion in the FY26 budget. Final grant amounts will be finalized when the assembly adopts the FY26 budget.

Quotes attributed in this article come from speakers who participated in the grant review session: Cynthia Bridal, Tara Ciccatello, Nicole Dalton and assembly members who voted on the recommendation.