Rural Alaska Emergency Services

05/17/2026

A Message from RAES to the Delta Community
The Future of EMS Depends on All of Us
To our neighbors, friends, and fellow community members:

RAES is issuing this announcement to address a reality our community can no longer afford to ignore — the future of emergency medical services in our area depends on community support, and that support cannot come from a handful of people alone.

Where We Stand Today-

Big Delta Rescue (BDR) is the current EMS provider serving our area. Whether you personally support BDR, DMT, or another model, one fact remains: without a provider, we have nothing. No 911 response. No professional help when a loved one is having a heart attack, when a child is injured, or when seconds matter most.

The City of Delta has carried this load for years, subsidizing EMS by drawing down savings to keep the system alive. City leadership has been transparent about what is coming — those reserves will run dry in the near future. When that happens, the responsibility shifts back to the community. Back to us.

The Hard Truth About Who Is Giving-

Over the past several years, fewer than 10% of community members and businesses have been the donors keeping EMS funding afloat. A small group has carried the weight in good faith, hoping the broader community would join them. Many residents have understandably assumed that between the City, the initial investment from Morley, and ongoing contributions, the problem was solved and their participation was no longer needed.

It isn’t solved. The startup phase only bought time. The structural funding gap is still there, and it is growing.

What RAES Is Doing — And Not Doing

RAES has stepped back from acting as the middleman for EMS donations. If you wish to donate, we ask that you give directly to the provider, BDR. There is no reason for RAES to sit between your generosity and the service it supports.

While BDR builds out its operations and works through the normal growing pains of a new provider, RAES will:

• Wait on the outcome of grant applications already submitted on behalf of EMS in our area

• Continue advocating for sustainable, long-term funding solutions

• Forward any donations received to BDR — we have already passed along the last two months of community donations directly to BDR to support current operations

The Road Ahead Is Critical -

This coming period will give all of us real data on what the current provider can sustain on a leaner budget. It will also tell us what the community is willing to support. Both answers matter.

A Direct Ask -

Setting feelings, preferences, and past disagreements aside — the RAES team has held its head high and put in countless hours searching for a solution. But no committee, no board, no nonprofit, and no city budget can replace what only a community can provide: broad, sustained participation.

If you are part of the 90% who have not yet contributed, we are asking you to reconsider. Donate directly to BDR. Volunteer. Show up at city meetings. Talk to your neighbors. The burden does not have to fall on the same few shoulders it has fallen on for years.

You can lead a horse to water, but cannot make it drink…. The mentality of the problem has been “taken care of” so the 90% don’t have to worry about it will come to a head next year again.

The choice — and the future of EMS in our community — belongs to all of us.
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Donate directly to BDR to support current EMS operations.

Questions about RAES or our role going forward? Reach out to us anytime.

— The Team at RAES

02/28/2026

Dear Delta Junction,

Over the past year the generosity and faith in our mission our supporters have helped keep emergency medical services (EMS) available in our community. On behalf of RAES (Rural Alaska Emergency Services), we want to personally thank our supporters for believing in what we’ve been striving to accomplish—ensuring that no one in our area goes without access to critical emergency care.

As many of you know, the City recently completed its RFP process and, with the responsibility of managing their budget, has chosen to move forward with a new EMS provider—Big Delta Rescue. With that decision, the Tri-Entity Agreement we helped establish with the City will officially conclude on March 31st, along with RAES’s fiduciary responsibility under that contract.

RAES originally formed as a nonprofit dedicated to bridging the financial gap between what EMS operations cost and what can be recovered through billing—a gap that’s especially challenging for rural communities like ours. When we faced the possibility of losing EMS service last spring, your support and local business contributions helped us step in and keep emergency response available during this critical period. We are deeply grateful for the trust and help you provided.

In light of this transition, we encourage donors to continue supporting local EMS however they feel best strengthens our community.

Big Delta Rescue is a stood up 501(c)(3) and capable of taking donations with no need for us to be in the middle. Please consider donating to them directly, or to the City of Delta Junction (who will hold and pay for the new contract), or via DCC’s matching fund program (until their budget limit is reached) to assist with the startup phase of Big Delta Rescue. We know how difficult it is to start an EMS service, and sincerely hope they are very successful in their endeavor.

RAES will return to its founding purpose—focusing on long-term, sustainable funding for rural EMS solutions throughout Alaska. Despite the development of a non-profit to run the service, the fundamental problem with EMS in rural Alaska still exists: the revenue from billing is not enough to cover the costs of running an ambulance service. Our goal remains unchanged: to build lasting financial support structures that ensure emergency care is available to every rural community that needs it. No longer being under contract to fund the current service allows us to return our focus to this goal, and further contributions to RAES will support the development of long-term, sustainable funding structures for EMS in Delta Junction and the rural interior Alaska communities.

Going forward, let’s continue to work together under one shared goal—to support and sustain emergency medical services in Delta Junction for years to come. EMS depends on all of us standing together.

For those that have stood with us over the past year: Thank you again for your incredible support and commitment to our community.

Warm regards,
RAES Leadership

02/19/2026

Public Announcement: Update on EMS Services in Delta Junction

As many of you know, the City of Delta Junction has announced its intent to move forward with BDR as the provider for local 911 emergency medical services. While BDR currently has no staff or operational experience in our area, and their bid came in significantly lower than others, we recognize that the City Council’s decision was not made lightly. The financial reality of sustaining a fully funded EMS system indefinitely is challenging, and choosing a lower-cost provider reflects the city’s effort to maintain essential services within fiscal limits.

Regarding the funds that have been continually donated to RAES to support the current contract: RAES remains committed to honoring the existing Tri-Entity Agreement through March 31st. In accordance with that agreement, RAES will continue to fund EMS operations through the end of the contract term. All continued donations will be used to support EMS in the community.

Once this transition is complete, RAES will step back from direct involvement, but will continue to finalize and facilitate any active grant applications. Should those grants be awarded, the funds will, as always, be used to support the rural interiors EMS system and emergency response capability.

The underlying challenge remains: funding sustainable, high-quality emergency medical services in a small community. EMS is not a luxury—it is an essential service. Until the community unites behind a shared, long-term solution, we will continue to face difficult choices and divisions that impact our collective future.

To everyone who has supported RAES over the past years—through funding, volunteerism, and advocacy—we extend our deepest gratitude. Your commitment to collaboration and community strength has never gone unnoticed. We truly hope that as Delta Junction turns the page to the next chapter in its history, it does so with unity, compassion, and a renewed sense of purpose.

— RAES Leadership

01/15/2026

Delta Junction Community,

Rural Alaska Emergency Services (RAES) was born from a clear-eyed recognition that our rural EMS system has been under severe, ongoing financial strain—exacerbated by the end of pandemic-era federal relief funds and the realities of low call volumes in a remote area. From the beginning, our intention was to bridge divides, bring together all key entities, and forge a collaborative path toward a true, long-term funding solution that would ensure reliable Advanced Life Support (ALS) services for everyone along our rural highway corridor.

We’ve poured countless hours into this effort: pursuing grants, securing corporate sponsors, encouraging community donations, partnering where possible (including with Delta Medical Transport to maintain service continuity), and advocating for shared responsibility among stakeholders. But this journey has drained our volunteer team profoundly. We’ve endured personal attacks on individuals holding different views, deep division sown across the community, and outright hypocrisy from some who have actively opposed our nonprofit model—despite it being rooted in genuine, good-faith intentions to benefit the entire community rather than any one entity or profit motive.

This raises a painful but necessary question: At what point do you step back from a community that appears unwilling to help itself?

The EMS challenge in Delta Junction is not complicated in concept. A sustainable solution exists if we all work together on funding instead of seeking endless external handouts or expecting one group to shoulder it alone. We must stand united and support a viable path—or watch the service fail.

We respect the significant personal effort and financial commitment Big Delta Rescue (BDR) is making to stand up an EMS service. Their dedication is commendable, and we honor the resources they’re investing. Yet the fundamental reality remains unchanged: no single individual, no one-time infusion of funds, and no isolated effort can resolve the long-term problem. True sustainability requires broad participation from every pillar of our community:

• The City of Delta Junction aggressively pursuing grants and appropriate funding mechanisms.

• The Deltana Community Corporation (DCC) applying for and directing grants effectively.

• The Rural Deltana Volunteer Fire Department (RDVFD) collaborating closely with the EMS provider.

• RAES continuing to chase grants, corporate sponsors, and community donations.

• Residents and local businesses stepping up with consistent contributions for a service that protects us all.

• Finalization and implementation of a comprehensive Emergency/Hazard Mitigation Plan by the City and RDVFD.

Far too many in our online discussions and community conversations have defaulted to a hands-off attitude: “Support Morley because he’ll get it done,” or similar sentiments that place the burden on one person or group while stepping back themselves. This cannot continue. If the majority refuse to contribute—at minimum through donations or active support—the system will fail, or a few will unfairly carry the load for everyone until they can no longer do so.

If BDR chooses to proceed on their current path, we fully respect that endeavor and will support the resulting EMS service as we always have—for the sake of community safety. Donations already coming to RAES monthly or annually will continue to fund timely ALS response in compliance with the Mutual aid Agreement (MAA) with Fort Greely. All donors will continue to receive tax-deductible contribution forms, and RAES will persist in seeking grants, corporate partnerships, and community support until a fully sound, self-sustaining system is in place.

This is our community, our families, and our emergencies. Reliable EMS isn’t a handout—it’s a shared responsibility we build together. We’ve tried to lead that charge, but it cannot succeed without widespread buy-in.

We urge every resident to reflect: Are we willing to invest in our own safety and future, or will we keep waiting for someone else?

The choice is ours. Let’s choose collaboration and contribution before it’s too late.

Thank you for your understanding and any support you’ve given or will give.

Rural Alaska Emergency Services

12/10/2025

12/10/2025

Let’s Go!!!

$25 per month or $300 per year and we’ve got this.

Times running out!

11/24/2025

11/24/2025

Upcoming training available for paramedics!

10/18/2025

Morning Public Announcement —

Delta neighbors,

I’m writing to clear up confusion from last night’s meeting of community leaders about our EMS situation and to set the record straight with honesty and transparency. The meeting brought together representative stakeholders including:

- City of Delta
- DCC
- RAES
- Rural Deltana Volunteer Fire Department
- Physicians
- Fort Greely
- Corporate donors

The purpose was to begin building a unified, community-owned nonprofit ambulance service before our current EMS contract expires in six months. There have been previously held community meetings, a State of Alaska formalized assessment of the Delta community and a recent vote stating a community owned EMS service is desired.

Here is the reality: creating a new EMS system is a massive undertaking. It requires collaboration, clear timelines, and representation from every entity in the community.

The situation in plain terms:

- Deadline: Our current EMS contract ends in six months (March 2026)

- Risk: Without a locally based ambulance, 911 response times could increase dramatically — in some scenarios a response might come from neighboring communities and take up to 1.5 hours.

- Opportunity: Forming a community-owned nonprofit EMS gives us local control, focused priorities, and the best chance to keep emergency care close to home.

What happened last night:

- Leaders met to map the practical steps needed to stand up a sustainable EMS system.

- The group discussed the proposed seat positions and representatives of the community owned nonprofit EMS board to appoint and elect in order to begin planning, budgeting, staffing, and fundraising.

- Timelines were proposed with near-term goals for January and March to keep momentum.

- Concerns about conflicts of interest were raised and will be addressed with transparent policies and open oversight.

Why public support matters now:

- Decision-makers and funders need to see supportive and visible community backing to approve and fund a local ambulance.

- Demonstrated commitments from local groups and residents strengthen grant applications, corporate donations, and make staffing and equipment funding possible.

- A united community voice shortens the timeline and reduces the risk of losing local control or being absorbed into a borough- a scenario we would all prefer to avoid.

How you can help today:

1. Encourage your local organization to promptly appoint a representative to the community owned EMS board within the next two weeks.

2. Stay informed and engaged as updates are shared on the process.

3. Support those that are working for you in the community effort to build a sustainable nonprofit EMS system.

The crucial first step is to establish the new community owned nonprofit EMS board within the next two weeks. Once in place, the new board can start accomplishing tasks and milestones on the suggested timeline. We must come together with neighbors and leaders to secure reliable emergency medical service for Delta. The time to come together is NOW, before we run out of time.

Cody White
RAES President