Saugeen Shores annual fire services report showed a 14 per cent decrease in call volume in 2023.
Fire Chief Ed Melanson says there were 225 calls in 2023 compared to 263 calls in 2022.
Calls in 2023 included 40 alarm activations, 22 carbon monoxide calls, 56 medicals and 20 vehicle collisions.
Melanson’s report says there were eight structure fires in resulting in a total loss of $1,186,000.
There were eight water rescue responses.
Also of note, dispatch protocols were changed in 2023 to create an automatic two station response to structure fires.
Melanson says, “This allows for the best opportunity to extinguish a fire in the quickest and safest manner possible. This process will be expanded to motor vehicle accidents, water rescue calls and hazardous materials in 2024.
He adds, 2024 will see the development of a Fire Department Master Plan.