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Fewer fires in 2012, department reports

By: Staff Writer

Monday, Mar. 11, 2013 at 4:30 PM | Comments: 0

An inspector with the Office of the Fire Commissioner looks over the scene on Saturday afternoon after a fatal house fire on the 500-block of Ross Avenue on Friday night. (BRUCE BUMSTEAD/BRANDON SUN)

Two people died in fires last year in Brandon, the first fire-related fatalities since 2004.

That was despite an overall decline in the number and severity of structure fires in the city, according to the Brandon Fire and Emergency Services annual report, which was released this afternoon.

The fire department responded to just 34 structure fires throughout the year, as well as 119 other fire-related calls. All told, the fires caused about $1.2 million in damage.

More than 84 per cent of the department's calls were related to emergency medical services. There were 3,432 calls for ambulance services last year. The department also responded to 378 alarms and 371 vehicle crashes, and performed 142 investigations. There were 35 other calls.

Firefighters got a new self-contained breathing apparatus in 2012, as well as a new pumper truck. The new No. 1 Fire Hall also hosted more than 80 tours to more than 1,110 people.

The department has been under fire recently for sick time costs that are more than double the city average. Covering that sick time cost $220,000 last year.

In its annual report, the department notes that it has started using a mass texting system to call for overtime.

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