By AL STOVER
Staff Reporter 

Medical Lake Fire Department shows steady call volume in 2014

Most were calls for emergency medical services

 

Last updated 1/15/2015 at 8:09am

Al Stover

The city of Medical Lake purchased a 1995 Freightliner fire engine to replace the Fire Department's 1986 Ford fire engine.

The Medical Lake Fire Department had a steady year of calls in 2014.

At the Jan. 5 City Council meeting, Assistant Fire Chief Corey Stevens announced that the department had 46 calls for December with 36 emergency medical service (EMS) calls. Ten of those were to the state institutions.

Stevens said the department had 592 calls in 2014. They responded to 32 structure fires on the West Plains. On some of these calls, they assisted the Airway Heights, Spokane County Fire District 3 and Fire District 10 fire departments.

"Our automatic aid agreements (with other departments) have been beneficial for us and them as well," Medical Lake Captain Todd Kirwin said.

The department also responded to 22 brush fires, six illegal burns, three vehicle fires and one Dumpster fire. In the late summer, the department was one of several throughout Washington state that helped fight the Carlton Complex and Watermelon Hill fires.

Four hundred and thirty-five of the 592 calls were EMS-related, according to Kirwin, with 94 going to the state institutions, including 35 cancels and 24 alarm activations.

"The calls are pretty close to the same as last year," Kirwin said. "Our call volume is very consistent."

In 2014, Medical Lake joined the Airway Heights and Fire District 10 departments in hiring a consultant to conduct reviews of each department, as well as find recommendations on how the three agencies could further consolidate services. Emergency Services Consulting International (ESCI), who conducted the study, recommended that Medical Lake contract with the other agencies for services. The department has not taken any action regarding ESCI's recommendations at this time.

One of the new additions to the department a 1995 Freightliner fire engine the city purchased, which replaced the department's 1986 Ford engine. Both Corey and Kirwin said the vehicle has already been out on a couple of calls and will be outfitted with Medical Lake's logo.

A new engine isn't the only change for 2015. The department is preparing to conduct more in-house training with its officers and volunteers.

"And we're always looking for people to volunteer," Kirwin said.

Al Stover can be reached at al@cheneyfreepress.com.

 

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