Dispatch Statistics

The tables below display the types of calls East Beaches Fire & Rescue has responded to in the past. Statistics are compiled on a quarterly basis, and annual totals are shown as well. For further information as to the meanings of the "Dispatch Type" categories, please scroll down towards the bottom of the page.

2012

2011

2011 was a fairly quiet year for East Beaches Fire & Rescue with a total of 64 emergency dispatches.  Sadly, very early in the year, we attended a motor vehicle accident in which two people lost their lives.  The department was dispatched to a number of false alarms at area residences during the year, and cottage and home owners should be aware that the municipalities do have provisions for the levying of fines where multiple false alarms occur.  Please ensure that possible causes of false alarms are eliminated in structures you own as much as possible to reduce the unnecessary dispatch of emergency services.

The cool, wet weather we saw in the spring resulted in far fewer 'grass fires' than in most years. We should point out, however, that the department was dispatched to a number of outdoor fires during the 'burn and back country travel ban' put in place by the province and municipalities during part of the summer, and a number of charges were laid by police and Natural Resources Officers in instances where people ignored the ban.  There were rather hefty fines associated with those charges, and we hope that people are aware that such bans during hot, dry conditions are for the protection of all our properties and will be enforced!

While there were a number of motor vehicle accidents associated with the arrival of winter driving conditions in November, we are happy to note that there were no emergency dispatches at all during the month of December!  As far as anyone can remember, that was a first for our department, and we were gratified to see that area residents and visitors enjoyed a safe as well as a happy Holiday Season!

2010

Unfortunately, 2010 was a much busier year than 2009 with the number of dispatches rising from 58 to 89 - an increase of about 50%! As in years past, the fire department, police, and the ambulance service were called out to a number of 'motor vehicle accidents' where often the vehicle was already abandoned or where only a tow truck was required. Whenever possible, passing motorists are asked to determine whether emergency services are actually needed before calling 9-1-1. Vehicles wrapped in yellow scene tape have already been checked out by emergency services. The dispatch of emergency services to incidents where they are not required represents a considerable and avoidable expense to municipal ratepayers and may result in the delayed arrival of emergency personnel at an accident where they are truly needed.

2009

Although not shown in the table above, East Beaches firefighters contributed some 330 person-hours to evacuation and flood fighting efforts in April. While most of our operations took place along the Red River in the central part of the Rural Municipality of St. Clements, East Beaches firefighters also helped out in the Breezy Point area of the R.M. of St. Andrews, and with some localized overland flooding in the Bear Paw Subdivision in the R.M. of Alexander.

In terms of the number of dispatches, 2009 was the quietest year in recent memory. There is little doubt that the relatively cool, rainy summer kept many cottagers in the city more often than usual, but we would like to think that increasing awareness of fire and life safety played a role as well. Hopefully, the downward trend in the number of dispatches will continue through 2010!

2008

2008 saw an increase in the overall number of calls. Unfortunately, the low number of structure fires and the complete absence of marine emergencies in 2007 were not repeated in 2008. The most significant increase in 2008, however, was the jump in the number of motor vehicle accidents and collisions the fire department was called out to. Firefighters - along with police and ambulance personnel - were dispatched to a great many incidents where they really weren't needed. Far too often passing motorists saw a vehicle in a ditch and called 9-1-1 without stopping to determine whether an emergency actually existed. As a result, emergency services were dispatched to incidents where often only a tow truck was required. Such 'nuisance calls' represent a considerable expense for municipal ratepayers, and, more importantly, may result in the delayed arrival of emergency personnel at an accident where they truly are needed!

2007

2007 saw a marked increase in the number of Outdoor Fires - principally grass and brush fires in April and May - but a significant decrease in the number of Structure Fires, which was very encouraging indeed.

2006

The 67 Emergency Dispatches received during 2006 included the Tornado at Gull Lake in August, and Flooding in Grand Marais in October.

2005

The 45 Emergency Dispatches received during 2005 included the Flash Flood and Road Washout at Lester Beach in July, as well as three other Flooding Incidents in St. Clements.

Structure Fires include fires that in some way involve structures, such as houses, sheds, garages, stores, barns, and silos.

Vehicle Fires include fires that in some way involve vehicles but were not the result of an accident or collision. Vehicles involved include cars, trucks, snowmobiles, lawn tractors, motorcycles, and ATVs. Vehicle Fires may be accidental or deliberately started (i.e., arson).

Motor Vehicle Accidents (MVAs) include collisions and loss of control incidents, and may or may not have resulted in vehicle fires. Vehicles involved include cars, trucks, snowmobiles, motorcycles, and ATVs.

Hydro Equipment Fires include pole fires, fires caused by tree branches contacting hydro lines, and occasionally involve transformer fires.

Outdoor Fires include grass and brush fires, forest fires, unattended campfires or burn barrels, and marsh fires.

Alarm Calls include checking on activated fire, smoke, or carbon monoxide alarms.

The other types of dispatches are self-explanatory.