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Cranbrook, BC (May 6, 2024) – Firefighters with Cranbrook Fire and Emergency Services (CFES) responded to an increased number of calls for service in the first quarter of 2024 highlighting a consistent, upward trend reflecting the evolving needs of our community. So, yes you are likely hearing sirens around the City a lot more frequently than you are used to.

In an update to Council Monday night, Scott Driver, Director of Fire & Emergency Services reported that the department responded to 604 calls for service between January and the end of March 2024, compared to 514 calls in Q1 of 2023. These incidents were distributed across the response area, with notable concentrations around care facilities and the highway corridor within the community.

Driver says this data underscores the ongoing escalation on the service requirements of the community.

“As we navigate through the challenges posed by a growing community, the department remains steadfast in its commitment to service. Despite the typical reduction in fire calls during winter months, we continue to witness an overall increase in call volumes, driven by the growth of our community and the social issues that accompany it," Driver noted.

During the period from January to March, CFES received 116 fire and/or rescue-related calls, including responses to 7 structure fires. Notably, this year witnessed a decline in requests for attendance at outdoor fires associated with homelessness compared to previous years, which can be attributed in part to the proactive efforts of our Social Development Coordinator and Bylaw Services team in risk mitigation support and education.

The bulk of CFES’s response efforts, totaling 473 calls, were dedicated to supporting the pre-hospital care system. Within our jurisdiction, there remains a significant number of overdose-related incidents, with CFES responding to 72 such calls in the first quarter. Additionally, requests for emergency assistance related to chest pains, cardiac arrests, breathing problems, and seizures persistently feature high on our list of responses, reflecting the ongoing need for our crews' expertise in providing efficient and high-quality care to our community.

CFES have observed an uptick in call volumes from select facilities grappling with complex care issues. In these instances, the department is collaborating with the agencies involved to come up with effective solutions.