Volunteer Spotlight: Kenny Lake Volunteer Fire Department

On October 18, the Kenny Lake Volunteer Fire Department (KLVFD) hosted a dinner at the Kenny Lake Community Hall. Volunteer firefighters and their families prepared a feast of brisket, chicken, sides, fresh baked rolls, and numerous desserts to share with any community members who wanted to meet their local firefighters. Donations towards firefighting operations were accepted. 

Chief Jeff Ramsthel, who is retired from a career in law enforcement, reflected on the various incidents he has been involved with recently. In addition to structure fires, KLVFD has responded to collisions with moose, vehicles that broke through ice, and other situations. 46 Mile on the Richardson Highway is their southern limit, and they will travel halfway to McCarthy if there is a need. 

Ramsthel and other volunteers also spend many hours on vehicles and other equipment. Volunteers work on welding and mechanical work to save department dollars, and Ramsthel frequently travels to Anchorage and the Mat-Su Valley to purchase parts for a deal. 

Ramsthel’s next goal is to find a new tender (water truck). The 1979 vehicle the department currently uses is a trusty truck, but its top speed is 45 mph. When response time is critical, it would be nice to go a bit faster. 

“I called Jeff” was a common refrain in many firefighters’ stories of mishaps occurring around the area. One person who “called Jeff” was local high school student Addy Kurtz, who broke her femur in an ATV accident last April. Ramsthel helped package and transport her to medical help. 

Ramsthel highlighted the partners who help him in his volunteer position. He stated he received invaluable guidance from Jason Severs in learning to navigate working with the Department of Transportation (DOT), finding resources for the department, and otherwise navigating the firefighting world. 

KLVFD partners extensively with the state Division of Forestry and Fire Protection (Forestry). KLVFD has the opportunity to patrol areas for potential wildfires, in exchange for Forestry funds for KLVFD work responding to structure fires. Volunteer firefighters have also had opportunities to do paid work for Forestry, notably on the Nelchina Fire near the Eureka Lodge last summer. 

Father and son firefighters Hanz and Brandon Kurtz came to the event with their families. They arrived in Kenny Lake four years ago from Oregon and decided to check out the fire department as an opportunity to help the community. Hanz said that over that time, they have seen the department grow with new volunteers and equipment. It was also a good way to jump into the community and meet people as new arrivals. 

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