Talkeetna firefighters, borough in talks over on-duty status

According to Eric Chappel, Captain with the Talkeetna Fire Department, an agreement has been reached in principle between local firefighters and the Mat-Su Borough.

A dispute between local responders and the borough left the Talkeetna Fire Department without any senior officers last week. On Saturday, Chappel said he and other responders will again answer calls. The disagreement between firefighters and borough officials was over when a responder is and is not acting as a borough employee and what actions he or she may take on an incident scene.

Eric Chappel says the borough will allow a responder to act as a civilian once he or she is clear of the scene. The deal is not yet in writing, but Chappel anticipates that will happen soon. As of Tuesday, Chappel says he has agreed not to discuss the issue further while talks are ongoing.