Cranbrook Fire & Emergency Services (CFES) responded to 525 calls for service in the first quarter of 2025, a good sign for community members as the department begins to see stability in consecutive reporting periods with respect to call volumes.

In an administration update to City of Cranbrook council Monday night, Fire & Emergency Services noted that the ratio of Fire Rescue calls vs Pre-Hospital Care calls continues at 28% and 72%, respectively.

The geographic distribution of calls across the community remains steady, with two focal areas near the downtown core and our highway corridor.

With respect to fire responses, CFES attended seven structure fires, 45 outdoor/miscellaneous fires and 53 fire alarm activations. Rescue services were required at 43 incidents for a total of 148 incidents related to fire or rescue.

Pre-hospital care accounted for 377 of the incidents in the first quarter of the year, of which there were 30 different types of medical emergencies reported. Overdose related emergencies are falling in relation to other call types, not even making CFES’s list of the five most common call types; 28 falls/back injuries, 31 sick persons calls; 34 seizures; and 55 chest pains were reported.

The most common medical emergency CFES responded to in the first quarter of 2025 was for breathing problems, with 72 incidents attended.

“For the second quarter in a row, we are seeing stability in our call volumes, which is a welcome reprieve from the steady growth that we have experienced over the last few years. Much of the difference has been seen in decreasing pre-hospital care calls, and we are thankful for this reprieve,” said Scott Driver, Director of Fire & Emergency Services.

“The noticeable absence of overdose calls is something staff and the community can be thankful for, as this change is certainly a good sign for the community.”

e-KNOW file photos

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