SB 140-FIRE STATION GRANT PROGRAM  1:45:47 PM CHAIR MERRICK announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 140 "An Act relating to a matching grant program for fire station construction and renovation; and providing for an effective date." 1:46:18 PM SENATOR BERT STEDMAN, District A, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, stated that SB 140 would create a program to address the future construction of fire halls. He emphasized that the program would take effect at a future time, when the state is in a better financial position. He paraphrased the following written testimony: [Original punctuation provided.] • It is an absolute necessity that firefighters across Alaska have functional facilities to ensure they can respond to emergencies swiftly and safely. Regrettably, numerous fire stations in the state are in critical need of repairs and modernization. Investing in these fire stations means supporting the dedicated individuals who consistently stand by our communities during our times of greatest need. • Many stations are nearing the end of their useful lives, and each one serves an essential role in protecting their communities. • Each new year brings innovations in technology and updates to best station design practices, coupled with regular wear and tear from daily use, and it is inevitable that existing fire stations eventually become outdated. • SB 140 establishes a matching grant program that provides funding for up to 50 percent of the total project cost for constructing or renovating fire stations. • This program would follow the structure of other successful infrastructure investment programs already established in our state. One notable example is the Harbor Matching Grant Program, which has awarded approximately $118 million dollars to 57 harbor projects over the past two decades. • A decade ago, the Legislature appropriated substantial funding to construct or replace a dozen fire stations across Alaska. These were highly popular capital budget items. SENATOR STEDMAN argued that it makes sense to replicate successful ventures such as the Harbor Matching Grant Program. He noted that there is a similar program for libraries. He said that this removes much of the politics and creates a fair process to help communities build necessary infrastructure. 1:48:59 PM SENATOR STEDMAN moved to slide 2, Nikiski Fire Department Station no. 2, Kenai Peninsula Borough. He stated that a previous capital budget included construction funding for this fire hall and many others across the state. 1:49:27 PM SENATOR STEDMAN moved to slide 3, Anchorage Fire Station No. 6: [Original punctuation provided.] • Prior to the construction of the new building, Station No.6 operated out of a fire hall built in the 1970s. That structure was originally intended as a temporary replacement for the old volunteer station after the formation of the Greater Anchorage Area Borough. • The new Station No. 6 was necessary to meet the ever-expanding demands of the greater Muldoon Area. 1:50:01 PM SENATOR STEDMAN returned to slide 2, Nikiski Fire Department Station no. 2, Kenai Peninsula Borough: [Original punctuation provided.] • Nikiski Fire Department Station no. 2 has the largest fire service area on the Kenai Peninsula • The original structure was intended as a community center for Nikiski and was not designed or constructed to adequately accommodate the equipment and personnel required for medical and fire services. 1:50:30 PM SENATOR STEDMAN moved to slide 4, City of St. Paul Municipal Fire Station: [Original punctuation provided.] • Established a centralized facility to support community operations and equipment storage, ensuring an effective response system. This was a joint effort with the Central Bering Sea Fishermen's Association and includes storage for their Grove Crane and front-end loader. • Construction was successfully completed in 2009. SENATOR STEDMAN noted that the presentation includes a selection of fire stations across the state. 1:51:06 PM SENATOR STEDMAN moved to slide 5, Chugiak Volunteer Fire and Rescue Station No. 35 (Lowe): [Original punctuation provided.] • Located near Fire Lake in Eagle River • The previous station was forced to close in February 2012 after heavy snowfall caused irreparable damage to the roof. • This newly constructed building was completed in the summer of 2014. SENATOR STEDMAN explained that previously, the legislature used an informal process to evaluate the need for fire halls statewide. 1:51:43 PM SENATOR STEDMAN said SB 140 would create a formalized process with a needs-based, ranked system. This would level the playing field for communities across the state. He said fire chiefs across the state have submitted a list of fire halls in need of construction and renovations. He briefly discussed why it can be difficult for communities to access capitol budget funding. He reiterated that SB 140 would create a fair system and explained that the legislature would collectively decide how much of the list to fund, similar to other types of major maintenance. He explained that community fire hall construction is not constitutionally mandated like K-12 education and K-12 major maintenance. He said that SB 140 would enable the State to construct fire halls in years where the funding is available. He said that there is adequate time to write regulations and indicated that incomplete regulations would not hinder the program's start. He noted that the library fund did not have regulations and the State was able to implement that program with the help of librarians across the state. He said the fire hall program would involve the help of the Fire Chiefs Association. He emphasized that the Fire Department is not a political organization and said SB 140 would help ensure that politics remain outside of fire halls. 1:54:27 PM CHAIR MERRICK announced invited testimony on SB 140. 1:54:42 PM FOREST KUIPER, President, Alaska Fire Chiefs Association, Juneau, Alaska, said SB 140 is a direct investment in the safety, resilience, and wellbeing of Alaskan communities. He stated that fire departments across the state are forced to work with aging infrastructure and limited space. Often, fire departments operate out of buildings that were not designed for the demands of modern emergency response. SB 140 would create a dedicated grant program for building construction and upgrades. He said that in 2023, the Alaska Fire Chiefs Association identified over $400 million in essential construction and renovation projects across the state. The projects are shovel- ready but lack the necessary funding. He emphasized that communities across the state want to be proactive and prepared. He shared that many small fire departments operate out of converted garages or decades old station and therefore cannot accommodate modern fire engines or equipment. Stations operating in these conditions cannot provide a safe, clean environment for firefighters. He emphasized that this is inefficient and dangerous. He pointed out that, in an emergency, seconds count. A well-located, properly equipped fire station reduces response times, saves lives, and protects property. He said SB 140 recognizes that infrastructure, personnel, and equipment are equally important. 1:57:37 PM CHAIR MERRICK opened public testimony on SB 140. 1:57:56 PM CAROLE TRIEM, Intergovernmental Affairs Manager, Alaska Municipal League, Juneau, Alaska, testified in support of SB 140. She acknowledged budgetary constraints. She thanked the legislature for recognizing that local governments play an important role in ensuring public safety and for acknowledging the importance of fire station construction and maintenance. She emphasized that public safety and fire protection are among the core services citizens expect local governments provide. She noted the increasing fiscal pressure on local governments, which places an additional burden on local taxpayers. She stated that the fire station grant program would be a significant advancement toward meeting crucial public safety needs across the state. 1:59:03 PM CHAIR MERRICK closed public testimony on SB 140. 1:59:14 PM SENATOR STEDMAN offered a closing statement. He directed attention to a letter stating that the Department of Public Safety (DPS) should house this concept. He opined that this is implausible and instead suggested replicating what works. He stated that having a 50 percent match helps communities keep costs under control. He added that the Legislature could consider funding caps and other adjustments in the future. He opined that SB 140 is a good start and added that it would benefit the entire state to have updated fire halls in all communities once the funding is available. 2:00:05 PM [CHAIR MERRICK held SB 140 in committee.]