The City of Ketchikan has been awarded a $3 million grant to improve emergency public safety communications on Revillagigedo Island. The congressional funding was secured by U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski in 2024.
The intent of the funding is to evaluate the island’s existing communication system and identify coverage gaps. According to a letter from the Ketchikan Fire Department, the area’s geography, terrain, remote locations and weather “create significant obstacles to maintaining reliable radio communications throughout the island.” The island’s emergency radio equipment is also outdated.
Fire Chief Rick Hines says each fire department in Ketchikan has their own individual radio setup, and they don’t always communicate well with each other.
“My goal is just that when the firefighters on the island need to communicate with dispatch or each other on a fire, that they’re able to do so clearly and seamlessly, which are issues that we currently have,” he said.
Hines said that they’ll work with the island’s fire and police departments to identify strengths and weaknesses in the communications system. Once those are determined, the city will evaluate recommendations for system improvements. That may include upgrading existing radio infrastructure or enhancing its reliability.
The $3 million grant may not fully cover the cost of assessing or improving the island’s emergency communication network. But in the long run, Hines said the grant could potentially allow the fire department to communicate directly with police or other city agencies.
“It’ll be a great improvement, and it’ll be big for our safety, just the safety of our members,” Hines said.
The fire department applied for the congressional grant two years ago. The Ketchikan City Council is expected to accept the grant at Thursday night’s meeting.
Hunter Morrison is a Report for America corps member for KRBD. Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep him writing stories like this one. Please consider making a tax-deductible contribution.
