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Wednesday, June 19, 2013
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WBFD responds to record year for 911 calls
by Rick DeClue · News · July 18, 2012
The West Branch Fire Department answered a record number of calls over the past year.
At the June 25 City Council meeting, Fire Chief Kevin Stoolman reported a total of 433 calls, 16 percent higher than the average for the prior three years.
The total included 106 fires, 306 medical calls and 21 other calls, such as carbon dioxide detectors. The medical calls included 167 sick and 139 trauma, of which 89 resulted from car accidents.
No single reason was cited for the increase.
For the next year, the department will focus its equipment needs on air pack updating, Stoolman said.
To meet its needs, the fire department works to keep a 35 volunteer roster. It is slightly below that today — 29. Stoolman said keeping the roster full is the greatest challenge the department faces.
Volunteers must be West Branch residents or live within a five mile radius and work in town in order to maintain response times. The challenge comes with the time commitment required of volunteers, training requirements and the activity level as shown in the 433 calls in a year.
The West Branch Fire Department roots go back to 1879, more than 132 years ago.
The firehouse is home to extensive and specialized equipment, Stoolman said, including an ATV and truck for fighting wildland fires, tanker and pumper vehicles, a rescue truck and a Chevrolet Suburban that serves as a backup medical vehicle and personnel mover. Funding for equipment and administration comes from both the City of West Branch and surrounding townships.
The West Branch Fire Department is a member of both the Cedar County and Johnson County mutual aid associations which coordinate multiple-department responses to major incidents. The department uses the services of three ambulance providers – West Liberty Ambulance, Tipton Ambulance and Johnson County Ambulance Service.
Kevin Stoolman has been a volunteer with the department since 1978. He is beginning his fifth year as Fire Chief. He is also a second-generation firefighter following his father, volunteer and past chief Dick Stoolman. Dick continues to serve as the department administrator.
Kevin said he is not sure whether any of his three daughters will provide the West Branch Fire Department with a third generation of Stoolman volunteers. He said he does know, though, that everyone involved with the department takes great pride in what they do. |
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