Forrest Kuiper has been named fire chief of the University Fire Department. Kuiper, who has been serving as acting fire chief since July, will officially begin the role in January 2022.

A product of UAF’s fire science program as well as other UAF programs, Kuiper has been working in the fire service since 1997, when he started working at UAF as a student firefighter. He became an auxiliary firefighter in 2000, then worked as a safety officer at UAF Codes and Safety until 2003.

In spring 2003, Kuiper began his full-time career position as a captain with the University Fire Department. He was promoted to battalion chief of C Platoon in 2017 while maintaining his State of Alaska EMT III certification as well.

Kuiper earned an associate degree in fire science, associate degree in hazardous materials, a baccalaureate degree in emergency management, and a master’s degree in public administration, all from the University of Alaska. He is also a graduate of the National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer Program.

When he is not on duty, Kuiper enjoys spending his free time sharing his passion of being outdoors in Alaska hunting and fishing with his wife, Buffy, and son, Glacier.

"I am grateful for the opportunity to serve our students and staff at the University Fire Department along with the UAF and Fairbanks community in this new role,” Kuiper said. “Our department is made up of incredible staff and students, and I look forward to working alongside them to move our department forward. Having been raised by UFD for the last 24 years, I am honored to give back to an organization that has given me and my family so much."