Surra presents Fox Twp. fire department’s annual report
FOX TOWNSHIP - The Fox Township Volunteer Fire Department (FTVFD) responded to 123 alarms in 2022, which is typically higher than their 10 year average according to FTVFD Chief Scott Surra who presented the department’s 2002 report at the recent Fox Township Supervisors meeting.
Of their total alarms 101 occurred in Fox Township with 22 involving mutual aid with neighboring fire departments.
An average of 11 members of the department responded to each alarm. Surra explained that number is a little skewed due to some alarms only required two firefighters as they involved carbon monoxide calls.
The months with the highest amount of calls were in January and November with 17 calls each while October was the month with the lowest amount of calls with only two incidents.
“We averaged an emergency call every three days or about 2 1/3 calls per week,” Surra reported.
Response breakdowns included: 35 motor vehicle crashes, four structure fires in Fox Twp., three vehicle fires, 14 activated fire alarms with no fire, four basement pumps, four carbon monoxide investigations, five brush/ grass/wildland fires, five assists to other agencies, three transformer fires, six downed wires, one controlled burn and 17 miscellaneous other calls.
The 22 mutual aid calls with surrounding fire departments consisted of six calls Crystal Volunteer Fire Department in St. Marys, one with Johnsonburg, one with Ridgway, 12 with Jay Township, and two with Horton Township.
There was an estimated fire loss of $265,000 from four structures in the township in 2002.
Mutual aid from neighboring departments was utilized on one call.
“We would like to thank our neighboring brothers and sisters for their help,” Surra said.
The department currently has 48 firefighters listed on its roster, however Surra stated in reality in 10 years the department may not exist due to the advanced age of many of its firefighters. He noted that changes in society and changes in generations cause things to be different with many families having two working parents along with volunteering their time with sports and coaching.
“The future is interesting and I’ve talked about that for the last 15 years. For now we’re strong,” Surra said.