news

Cranbrook, BC (October 21, 2024) – Cranbrook Fire & Emergency Services (CFES) has reported a significant increase in calls for service, with a nearly 20 percent rise in the third quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. This summer, CFES responded to over 687 calls in July, August, and September, up from 575 calls during the same months last year. This increase highlights the growing demands on emergency services in the community.

In its report to Council during the regular meeting on Monday night, CFES highlighted that 24 percent of its calls for service were related to fire rescue responses. The majority, 76 percent, were for pre-hospital medical emergencies. The report also noted higher call volumes concentrated in the downtown core and around Ridgeview Road.

“Noticeably, the fire service is getting busier and more complex. Community safety has become a very complex issue, changing from season to season,” says Scott Driver, Director of Fire & Emergency Services. “Our job, and the broad range of issues that are impacting our citizens continues to evolve on all fronts, and demand for services continues to rise. I am extremely proud of the work our firefighters do throughout the year and I am thankful for their extraordinary efforts this past summer.” 

In the third quarter, CFES responded to four significant structure fires, including the Amy Woodland school fire, where they collaborated with the RCMP and the Office of the Fire Commissioner to investigate the cause and origin. Additionally, CFES participated in three fuel reduction burns in partnership with the BC Wildfire Service and contract forestry crews, aimed at decreasing wildfire risk in the community. Two CFES members also served as Task Force leaders for BC Wildfire at the Slocan and Argenta wildfires

In the third quarter of 2024, CFES attended to 70 outdoor fires and responded to 52 fire alarm activations, while providing rescue services for 37 incidents, bringing the total number of fire or rescue-related incidents to 163. 

Pre-hospital care accounted for 524 of the incidents in the third quarter of this year, of which approximately 30 different types of medical emergencies reported. Most common being breathing problems (81), followed by overdose related incidents (72), convulsions/seizures (57) and falls/back injuries (44).