Residents learn early to be prepared. Homes are stocked with first-aid supplies, neighbors know who has medical training, and communication travels fast when something isn’t right.
In moments of urgency, we have a fantastic volunteer fire and EMS department. With an ambulance and firetruck we are able to offer first line support! Many people step in without hesitation, checking on one another, making calls, and coordinating help while staying steady and focused.
We also have a beautiful and brand new clinic in town that can help anyone needing care. It is staffed with providers that travel from the Homer side on a very regular basis.
However, in an emergency, on off hours, in the dark or during bad weather, transportation to a hospital becomes a critical piece. Depending on conditions, help may arrive/depart by boat or air, and timing is everything. Weather can delay movement, so patience and clear thinking matter just as much as speed. These moments reveal how deeply residents rely on trust, not just in systems, but in each other.
Living without roads changes how emergencies are faced. It builds resilience, responsibility, and a shared understanding that no one handles hardship alone. In Seldovia, medical emergencies are reminders of vulnerability but also of the quiet strength that comes from a community prepared to care for its own.
