Spike in First Responder Calls Prompts Increase in Overall Call Volume for Terrace Fire Department

First responder calls made up nearly half of the Terrace Fire Department’s total call volume over the first half of the year.

In total, the department responded to 548 calls between January and June, up from 329 over the same time period in 2021.

But, the majority of the increase comes from first responder calls, which went from just 77 through June of last year, to 244 so far in 2022.

Fire Chief John Klie says the jump reflects constraints, difficulties, and staffing issues with paramedics at Emergency Health Services.

Burning complaints more than doubled to 97, while fire and rescue calls actually saw a drop to 131 and 41, respectively through June.