CCFR – City and Borough of Juneau

Juneau Launches PulsePoint to Strengthen Response to Cardiac Arrest Emergencies

The Capital City Fire Rescue and Juneau Police Department Communications Center is launching PulsePoint Respond in Juneau on Tuesday, September 1. PulsePoint is a free mobile application designed to connect CPR-trained community members with people experiencing cardiac arrest before professional responders arrive on the scene.

“Our firefighters and paramedics are trained and equipped to provide advanced care, but there is an unavoidable period between the 9-1-1 call and our arrival,” said Andrew Pantiskas, Division Chief of Emergency Medical Services for Capital City Fire Rescue. “While our crews are responding, a nearby citizen can make a tremendous difference.”

Media and members of the public are invited to learn more about PulsePoint Respond at the launch event on Tuesday, September 1 at 9 a.m. in the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall.

Implementation of PulsePoint Respond in Juneau is funded through Marine Passenger Fees.

How PulsePoint Works

PulsePoint Respond alerts registered CPR-trained users when a cardiac arrest is reported near the user’s location. Users who receive an alert can:

Recognize that a cardiac arrest is occurring nearby.

Respond to the location when it is safe to do so.

Begin CPR until professional responders arrive.

Locate and retrieve a nearby automated external defibrillator (AED).

Provide potentially lifesaving assistance during the critical first minutes of a cardiac arrest.

PulsePoint does not replace calling 9-1-1 or professional emergency medical services. Members of the public should still call 9-1-1 and follow the instructions of the public safety dispatcher.

Why Bystander CPR Matters

Nationally, hundreds of thousands of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur each year. While less than 50% of cardiac arrest victims get help before emergency responders arrive, immediate bystander CPR can significantly improve a person’s chance of survival.

Pantiskas advises that the most important thing that can be done during a cardiac arrest is to start CPR and get a defibrillator to the patient as quickly as possible.

For Juneau, PulsePoint is another tool to help close the gap between the moment a cardiac arrest occurs and the arrival of professional responders.

How to Participate

Residents who are CPR-trained and willing to assist can download PulsePoint Respond through the Apple App Store or Google Play, follow their local emergency response agency (“Capital City FR” in Juneau), and indicate that they are CPR-trained and willing to respond to nearby cardiac arrest alerts.

Community members can also use the PulsePoint Foundation AED NEAR Registry to help identify AEDs throughout Juneau.

Learn more about PulsePoint Respond at the PulsePoint website.

For media inquiries, contact:

Capital City Fire Rescue
Andrew Pantiskas
Division Chief of Emergency Medical Services
907-419-8136

[email protected]

Juneau Police Department
Erann Kalwara Public Safety Manager
907-500-0722
[email protected]

August 25th, 2026|

Capital City Fire Rescue Seeking Volunteers for July 11 Simulated Disaster Exercise

Capital City Fire Rescue (CCFR) is looking for 24 community volunteers to act as mock patients for their large-scale Mass Casualty Incident exercise at Juneau International Airport on Saturday, July 11 from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. Those interested in volunteering should contact Deputy Chief Theresa Ross at [email protected] before Tuesday, July 7.

Volunteer Requirements:

Must be 14 years of age or older

Volunteers under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian

Must attend a mandatory volunteer briefing on Friday, July 10 at 7 p.m. at the Capital Fire Rescue Station 3, 1700 Crest Avenue

Must be available on Saturday, July 11 from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m.

The exercise will take place rain or shine. Food, snacks, and refreshments will be provided to all volunteers.

CCFR thanks all those interested in participating in this exercise. The simulation allows CCFR to test the department’s ability to respond to a major aircraft incident. Volunteers play an essential role in helping emergency responders practice patient triage, treatment, transportation, and more.

To volunteer, contact Deputy Chief Theresa Ross at [email protected] before Tuesday, July 7.

July 2nd, 2026|

Capital City Fire Rescue Pins Six New Firefighters on June 14

Capital City Fire Rescue will celebrate six members of its apprenticeship program at a badge pinning ceremony at 12 p.m. on Sunday, June 14 at the Douglas Fire Station. Having completed their initial training and certification requirements, these apprentices will officially transition into their roles as firefighters at this ceremony.

The public is welcome to recognize the hard work, dedication, and commitment of the following graduates:

Kajson Cunningham

Brendan Jackson

Sarah Kuhnell

Ian Mullett

Justus Paden

Lillian Thorington

Capital City Fire Rescue thanks the apprentices’ families, fellow firefighters, instructors, and mentors who have assisted the apprentices throughout their training journey.

For more information about the ceremony, contact Capital City Fire Rescue at 907-586-5322. For media inquiries, contact City and Borough of Juneau’s Communication and Engagement division at [email protected].

June 10th, 2026|

Capital City Fire Rescue Announces 2025 Cardiac Arrest Survival Results; Exceeds State and National Benchmarks

Capital City Fire Rescue has finalized its 2025 Cardiac Arrest Registry to Enhance Survival (CARES) report, revealing cardiac arrest survival outcomes that exceed both Alaska and national averages.

In 2025, CCFR responded to numerous cardiac arrest incidents, including 26 confirmed out of hospital cardiac arrests. The department achieved an Overall Survival to Discharge rate of 15.4%, surpassing the current national average of 10.5% and the Alaska statewide average of 12.3%.

Most notably, CCFR achieved a 66.7% Utstein Survival Rate, which is the internationally recognized benchmark for witnessed cardiac arrests involving a shockable heart rhythm. This performance is approximately double the current national benchmark of 33.4%.

“These results are a direct reflection of a community that refuses to stand by during an emergency,” said Tom Hatley, Fire Chief of Capital City Fire Rescue. “While our paramedics and EMTs provide advanced medical care, lives are saved because citizens start CPR, dispatchers provide lifesaving instructions, police officers and firefighters arrive quickly, and hospital staff continue that care. This is truly a community wide success story.”

2025 Performance Highlights:

Bystander CPR Rate: 68.2%, Juneau continues to lead in community intervention, with bystander CPR rates consistently well above national averages.
Utstein Survival Rate: 66.7%. Double the national benchmark for witnessed cardiac arrests involving shockable rhythms.
Overall Survival to Discharge: 15.4%. Exceeding both Alaska and national survival averages.
Neurological Outcomes: 11.5%. Patients discharged with “Good” or “Moderate” neurological performance, allowing survivors to return to their families and daily lives with quality outcomes.

CCFR credits these outcomes to strong partnerships between the community, emergency dispatchers, Juneau Police Department personnel, healthcare providers, and highly trained EMS responders. The department also emphasized the importance of public CPR training and rapid activation of 911 during medical emergencies.

“Every second matters during cardiac arrest,” Hatley said. “The willingness of our community members to step forward and begin CPR before responders arrive continues to make a tremendous difference.”

Residents interested in CPR, AED, and First Aid training opportunities can find upcoming classes through Juneau Pools and the American Red Cross.

For more information, contact Capital City Fire Rescue at 907-586-5322.

May 7th, 2026|

Capital City Fire Rescue Chief Rich Etheridge Retires After Over 25 Years of Service

Capital City Fire Rescue (CCFR) Chief Rich Etheridge quietly retired on the last day of December 2025 after 27 years with the City and Borough of Juneau (CBJ) and 34 years supporting Alaska’s public safety.

“Chief Etheridge provided steadfast leadership at CCFR and navigated many challenges with courage and positivity,” says CBJ Deputy City Manager Robert Barr. “We are grateful for his exemplary service to our community and are excited for him and his next chapter.”

Chief Etheridge is a born-and-raised Juneau local and lifelong Alaskan. His history with CCFR began in 1992, when he started volunteering at one of Juneau’s stations. His career eventually brought him to the Kenai Peninsula, where he patrolled and ran the region’s Village Public Safety Operations program as an Alaska State Trooper. Chief Etheridge later returned to CCFR as a Fire Marshal and in 2010, was appointed as the department’s next Fire Chief.

Chief Etheridge leaves a lasting impact on public safety in Juneau. During his time as Fire Chief, CCFR strengthened Juneau’s emergency prevention services in many ways, including by managing the sobering center, launching the Mobile Integrated Health program, and leading the Mobile Crisis Response program. Under Chief Etheridge, the department also established an apprenticeship program to train local Emergency Medical Technicians and led Juneau’s implementation of COVID-19 testing centers.

“Everyone was frustrated because nobody had the resources to make the COVID-19 response happen,” he explains. “So, we stuck our hand up and said, ‘we’ve got this.’”

In his retirement, Chief Etheridge has two messages for Juneau residents: watch out for your safety and consider emergency services as a career.

“Down the road, you hear from patients who remember how we treated them,” he shares. “It might be an ordinary call to us, but for them, it’s a life-changing moment. We really are having a huge impact on the community.”

Tom Hatley will join CCFR on February 9, 2026 as the department’s next Fire Chief. Cindy Carte, CBJ’s Human Relations manager, is active chief during the interim.

For media requests, contact the CBJ Communications & Engagement division at [email protected].

January 21st, 2026|