CFD sees increase in calls during 2022
ST. MARYS - Crystal Fire Department Chief Bill Kraus was on hand to present the department’s annual report during Monday evening’s St. Marys City Council meeting.
In 2022, the CFD’s responded to 320 incidents, an increase of 62 from the previous year. Unfortunately two of last year’s incidents resulted in fatalities.
“This takes its toll on everyone involved, the families, the emergency responders, and the community members,” Kraus said. “We certainly hope we never have to experience incidents like this again.”
Total fire loss for 2022, including building and contents, was $1,468,026. This is an increase from 2021 fire loss of $1,107,526. Kraus said total savings for 2022 was $1,509,224.
A breakdown of the incident types the CFD responded to in 2022 include: 29 fires, 63 rescue and emergency services calls, 62 hazardous conditions, 70 public service calls, 34 good intent calls, 38 false alarms/ false calls, three severe weather and natural disaster responses along with 21 special incidents.
There were a total of 79 mutual aid calls which the CFD provided or responded to neighboring fire companies and other agencies. They include: Elk Co. 2 (Johnsonburg) five times; Elk Co. 3 (Fox Township) once; Elk Co. 4 (Ridgway) six times; Elk Co. 5 (Jay Township) five times; Elk Co. 6 (Wilcox) twice; Cameron County (Emporium) 12 times; McKean Co. 5 (Kane) once; City of St. Marys Police 13 times; St. Marys Ambulance Service 16 times; Elkland Search and Rescue three times.
Kraus emphasized the importance of mutual aid especially due to manpower shortages being experienced at volunteer fire companies throughout the area.
“I can’t stress enough that we are extremely fortunate to have an excellent mutual aid
agreement with local agencies and neighboring departments,” Kraus said. “In today’s world, as membership are dwindling, we sometimes must rely on our mutual aid departments to assist in getting the job done.”
Kraus also recognized the cooperation of local employers who release their firefighters to answer calls as without this privilege it would be extremely difficult for the CFD to provide their services to the city.
The CFD’s average response time, including mutual aid, was nine minutes and 13 seconds. Non mutual aid response time was six minutes and eight seconds, an improvement from 2021.
The majority of calls occurred on Mondays with Sundays as a close second. with the highest number of calls received during the timeframe of
10-11 a.m. and 6-7 p.m.
As part of Fire Prevention Week the CFD conducts annual drills at the local schools and healthcare facilities, along with hosting an open house at the fire hall on Erie Avenue. They also offer tours and programs for pre-school and elementary school children, Boy Scout and
Girl Scout troops. Tours and fire prevention programs are available throughout the year by request.
“Our members are very proud of the programs we provide, and feel it has a positive impact on the community,” Kraus said.
He added that they also receive requests throughout the year to tour some of manufacturing facilities, which the CFD greatly appreciates.
“This allows our members the opportunity to familiarize themselves with those facilities,” Kraus said.
The increasing age of CFD firefighters continues to be a concern, as with many volunteer fire departments throughout the U.S. The average age of a CFD firefighter is 55.
Of the CFD’s total 78 members, 41 are between the ages 56-85. A breakdown of member’s ages are: five from ages 21-25; three ages 26-30; eight from ages 31-35; four ages 36-40; three ages 41-45; seven ages 46-50; seven ages 51-55; nine ages 56-60; 12 ages 61-65; nines ages 66-70; seven ages 71-75; four ages 75-80 and two ages 80-85.