Westminster Fire Department Responds to More Calls in 2013

The Westminster Fire Department has responded to more calls so far in 2013 than it did in 2012, a trend that if it continues could create staffing challenges according to a fire department official.

"This does put a challenge on our department's staff and the other departments in the county," said Westminster Fire Department President Bob Cumberland. 

According to the Westminster Fire Department website, the department responded to 107 fire calls in January of 2012 compared to 138 fire calls in January of 2013. Numbers were also up for EMS calls -- 392 in January 2012 and 451 in January of 2013. 

The trend continued in February with 96 fire calls in 2012 and 119 fire calls in 2013. As for EMS calls there were 354 calls in February 2012 and 428 EMS calls in February 2013.

Cumberland said he isn't sure why there have been more calls in 2013 although he speculated that it was a tough flu season and the highest call type in those months was for medic assist. 

He said that increased call numbers may mean that it will take longer to get an ambulance at different times. 

Cumberland said the trend may continue.

"This will continue to happen and in the future it may get worse," Cumberland said in an email to Patch. "There are other factors that come into play when you talk about staffing including how the political leaders are going to support the emergency services in the future with funds to make sure there is enough staffing."

See Also:

• Blog: A History of Heroes in Westminster's Fire Department
• Westminster Firefighters Breathe a Little Easier with New Equipment
• EMS Week: The Making of a Paramedic
• Westminster Fire Company Celebrates EMS Week May 20 through May 26