Photo By Senior Master Sgt. Julie Avey | Denali Borough Mayor Chris Noel, left, congratulates Staff Sgt. Nathaniel Grimes,...... read more read more
ANDERSON, Alaska — Staff Sgt. Nathaniel Grimes, a member of the 268th Security Forces, Alaska Air National Guard at Clear Space Force Station, was presented with the 2026 Denali Borough Mayor’s Community Service Award during the Anderson Strawberry Festival on July 11.
The award, now in its 13th year, recognizes a Denali Borough resident who demonstrates extraordinary volunteer service and makes a meaningful contribution to the community.
For Grimes, service extends well beyond his military duties in the Air Guard. His service extends into his community, where he lives and serves. He serves as the volunteer fire chief for the Anderson Volunteer Fire Department and volunteers as an emergency medical technician, frequently responding to fire and medical emergencies in Anderson and the surrounding area.
“Nate does an incredible amount of volunteer work for Anderson,” one community member wrote in a nomination. “Not only is he the fire chief and deals with everything that goes on with that, but he is also one of the few EMT providers we have.”
Grimes has spent the past three to five years helping rebuild and strengthen Anderson’s volunteer fire department, working to improve personnel training, secure funding and maintain equipment. His efforts have helped provide reliable basic life support EMS and fire protection for Anderson and the northern end of the Denali Borough.
“His volunteer service allows for reliable basic life support EMS and fire protection in Anderson and the northern end of the Denali Borough,” Anderson Mayor Katie Griebe wrote in her nomination.
Grimes’ commitment became particularly significant during the community’s response to the Starry Fire this summer. His work to establish and maintain a capable wildland firefighting program helped ensure Anderson had trained personnel and resources available when the community faced the threat of wildfire.
Staff Sgt. Crystal Goodin, 168th Logistics Readiness Squadron, Alaska Air National Guard, and one of Grimes’ fellow community members, credited his dedication to building the department with helping protect the community.
“Staff Sgt. Grimes' wholesome fostering of standing up the Anderson Volunteer Fire Department from its ashes to being present and functional today is what directly contributed to Anderson still being a city, families being alive, and homes still standing,” Goodin said.
Goodin said her husband was among the first people on scene during the fire and called for additional support through dispatch.
“We could not fathom where our family would be if the proper training and resources were not available to slow down the blaze until aerial support made it on scene,” she said.
Grimes’ willingness to respond whenever he is needed is a common theme among the nominations submitted for the award.
“There have been several times where he has gotten off work, only to be called out for an emergency before he even gets home, and he just answers the call,” one community member and nominator wrote.
Grimes said his desire to help others began early.
“Medicine has always been super interesting to me,” Grimes said. “So when I got my EMT certification, it was pretty much game over from there.”
“I really do love helping people, so getting to do that and practice emergency medicine, fight fires, is a perfect fit for me.”
His service also extends beyond Anderson. As fire chief, Grimes has worked with other departments throughout the Denali Borough to strengthen emergency preparedness and improve safety along the highway corridor.
“It was an honor to present the 13th annual Mayors Community Service Award to Grimes at the Anderson Strawberry Festival this summer,” said Denali Borough Mayor Chris Noel. “His service to the City of Anderson is well documented and has contributed to the health and well-being of the community. In addition, he has served as a partner and collaborator with the other departments in the Borough, enhancing our overall preparedness and improving safety along the highway corridor.”
The Mayor’s Community Service Award began in 2014 to recognize volunteers who help make the Denali Borough a strong and connected community.
“The Denali Borough has a strong and thriving sense of community and volunteerism,” said Noel. “Many people volunteer their time and energy in ways in which provide meaningful benefits to our communities. Through this annual award, the borough honors and celebrates this community spirit.”
For Grimes, the recognition is less about the award and more about the people he serves.
“Nate is a true Good Samaritan and truly cares about the success of Anderson and the Denali Borough,” one nominator wrote. “He tirelessly gives his time and energy to making sure anyone who needs help has it.”
Whether responding to an emergency after a long workday, maintaining fire equipment, training volunteers, or working alongside other emergency responders, Grimes continues to answer the call, both as an Airman and as a volunteer serving his neighbors.
| Date Taken: | 09.02.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 09.02.2026 15:00 |
| Story ID: | 573793 |
| Location: | ANDERSON, ALASKA, US |
| Web Views: | 38 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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