September 18, 2025 Seward Folly

The Bear Creek Fire Department has undergone significant changes over the past 15 years, many of them driven by funding decisions and evolving community needs. In 2007, voters approved funding for a new fire station. The following years saw the Borough issue a bond in 2011 to finance the building, which resulted in a property tax increase of 1 mill — equivalent to $100 per $100,000 of assessed value for homeowners. This brought the local mill rate to 3.25. The bond is scheduled to be paid off by 2031.

As property values in the area have risen, some residents have raised questions about whether the mill rate should be reduced. At a borough assembly meeting in June, former fire chief Mark Beals advocated for a 0.25 rate reduction, a move supported by assembly member Cindy Ecklund. The assembly ultimately did not approve the reduction. Beals argued that increased property values allow the annual bond payment of approximately $85,000 to be met easily, leaving a surplus that he estimates at around $200,000 each year.

Current fire chief Richard Brackin maintains that the department’s finances are healthy, but not excessive. The department’s fund balance stands at $748,000, which is within the borough’s recommended range of $543,000 to $840,000. Brackin notes that this balance has been trending downward. He also points to a separate equipment replacement fund, projected to reach $756,000 by the end of 2026, with a target of $1.2 million. This fund is used to replace 20 pieces of equipment over periods ranging from 20 to 40 years.

The department’s inventory has seen needed upgrades in recent years, including replacing the older tanker, highway response engine, four-wheelers, and an ambulance. Public records show that Bear Creek Service Area revenues were $737,118 in 2023, with projections rising to $949,934 in 2026. While some see this as evidence of surplus revenue, department leadership points out that much of the increased funding is allocated to personnel costs, which are expected to rise from $382,000 in 2023 to $540,000 in 2026.

Staffing changes have included expanding the fire chief and administrative staff to full-time. The funds came out of seperate EPHESA funds. A fire technician was added in 2021. Another full-time technician was added in 2023; an on-call schedule and increased volunteer costs are slated for 2026, adding $33,000 to the overtime budget.

The department has also completed several infrastructure projects, including a $450,000 paving project, funded by a grant, and an in-house upgrade to the station’s unfinished upper level for under $50,000. Some equipment purchases, like the new four-wheelers, were funded by grants. Over the past five years, Bear Creek Fire has raised more than $1.1 million in grants, with another $525,000 in pending applications.

The new four-wheel-drive ambulance, replacing the old one, is in the process of being purchased, with a total cost near $300,000. Of this, $45,000 is covered by grants, along with grant funding for a $60,000 powered gurney. The new ambulance will replace an older backup vehicle and is intended to supplement the fleet of the Seward Volunteer Ambulance Corps (SVAC).

Some residents, including Brandon Tatum, a candidate for the local board, have voiced concerns about the need for another ambulance and the use of surplus funds. Tatum and others argue that excess revenue should be directed toward paying down the building debt, even if it means facing early repayment penalties. He has also raised questions about how the new ambulance will coordinate with SVAC.

Chief Brackin has stated that maintenance and utility costs for the new building were not fully accounted for when it was constructed, and that lowering the mill rate could undermine the department’s ability to operate effectively.

Another ongoing discussion in the region has centered on a proposal to create an Eastern Peninsula Service Area, which would combine Bear Creek with several neighboring departments. After three meetings, the idea was tabled due to concerns about the size of the area and the reliance on funding from just a couple of departments.

Despite these debates, cooperation among local fire and emergency services has increased. Over the past year, 12 certified courses were offered to personnel from several communities, including Bear Creek, Seward, Lowell Point, and others, with the goal of improving professionalism across departments.

The Seward Volunteer Ambulance Corps has expressed some frustration about recent changes, noting that after decades of relatively independent operation, the dynamics between agencies have shifted as local departments expand their paid staff. The city’s move to increase fire department staffing has been attributed to a shrinking pool of reliable volunteers, a trend seen in some small towns across the country.

Residents and officials continue to navigate questions of staffing, equipment, and funding to ensure the fire department can meet the community’s needs. While the best approach remains a topic of debate, support for local fire services is a constant in Bear Creek.

The annual Bear Creek Community Assistance Program Meeting will be held this Saturday, September 20th, at 11:30 a.m. at the Bear Creek Fire Station. Nonprofits and tribal groups serving the area are encouraged to submit projects for approval by Bear Creek residents, who will also vote on Community Capital Improvement Projects (CIPs) during the meeting. In previous years, the Bear Creek Fire Volunteers typically received these funds. Last year the Seward Nordic Ski Club and Bear Creek Fire received the grant. This year’s CAP grant amount is $15,479.