Rise in emergency calls prompts fire precautions this fall
By Jenna Wilson
The St. Joseph Fire Department is sharing some important safety tips to keep in mind as Fire Prevention Month kicks off.
Fire Prevention Month serves as a good time to check the batteries in smoke detectors and to ensure fire extinguishers are properly working.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, 30% of portable fire extinguishers in the workplace are not in good working order, which is a serious safety risk.
“Anytime that you have a business, you need to make sure that your fire prevention system is operating properly,” said Bill Lamar, emergency manager at the St Joseph Fire Department. “Around this time of year, we encourage people to have their fire prevention equipment serviced, that includes the extinguisher, because they become dried out over time and will cake at the bottom, so they need to be serviced.”
As the weather changes, firefighters are staying prepared to tackle more fires, as the change in season brings an increase in fire calls.
In July 2022, the fire department responded to 6,978 calls. In July 2023, crews responded to 7,663 calls, and in July 2024, there were 7,935 reported calls.
The reason for the increase in calls varies, but as temperatures fluctuate, officials say most are related to alternative heat sources — like spaced heaters, space heaters — overloaded outlets and the transient population looking for shelter during colder months.
Fire officials urge community members to make sure heating appliances are in good condition before the winter arrives.
“Any time that it gets cold, that really gets the crews busy,” said Lamar. “Any time you’re doing any type of fireplace activity or you’re starting to use your furnaces, have it checked out beforehand, so you don’t get caught off guard with a safety hazard.”
The St. Joseph Fire Department will be visiting area schools during fire prevention week, Oct. 6-12, and teaching students fire prevention education.
