Members of the Dryden Fire Service are continuing to work to protect the community. Chief Rob Grimwood presented the service's quarterly report to city councillors and Mayor Greg Wilson last week, during a regular Committee of the Whole meeting at City Hall.
Throughout 2019 as a whole, the DFS has responded to a total of 183 calls, an increase of 8 calls in the same 2018 time period. The average number of firefighters per call is just over 10.5, below the DFS’ target of 15.
The Dryden Fire Service responded to 53 calls in 2019’s third quarter. This is up by only one call when compared to the same time period in 2018. 2019’s calls for service include:
- 22 fire alarm calls,
- 10 medical assistance calls,
- 6 motor vehicle accidents,
- 5 carbon monoxide investigations,
- 2 structure fires,
- 2 public assistance calls,
- 1 natural gas emergency,
- 1 vehicle fire,
- 1 open air burning complaint,
- 1 grass / brush fire,
- 1 hazardous materials emergency.
Firefighter responses for 6 or fewer firefighter calls are on target, where calls achieving 10 firefighters in 10 minutes is sitting at 23.4 per cent, less than half of their 50 per cent target. The average response time for all calls is just over 9 minutes and 8.5 minutes for in-city calls. The DFS’ target response time for any call is 8 minutes.
The service is still searching for volunteers in Hall 1 and Hall 2. The report notes that a recruitment drive earlier this year resulted in the return of firefighters who had previously served, and four new applications expressed interest in joining the service. Further recruitment and training is planned for early 2020.
This was Chief Rob Grimwood’s first quarterly report for the DFS, since being hired in August, 2019. Council did not receive first or second quarter reports in 2019.
Link to original article on drydennow.com: Fire calls rising in 2019