Benton fire incidents set record in 2015

BENTON — Benton's Fire Department set a new record in 2015 for the total number of calls/incidents.  
"Back as far as 2003 this fire department had run 151 calls. For 2015, I believe we've set an all all-time record for responses at 364. I think the fire service in general is seeing a decrease in actual fires but an increase in responsibilities and request for services," said Fire Chief Shane Cockrum. "I think fire departments nationwide have found when people don't know who to call, they call the fire department. We're there whether it be a fire, medical need, car wreck, hazardous materials and any technical rescue.
"In general, the fire departments have become community servants. When we see a need for service, and nobody knows who to call, our fire department, our guys, have been very good about jumping in saying, hey, we'll do that. We've really stepped up the program and our guys are staying pretty busy here."
Benton Fire Department responded to 317 incidents in 2014, after three straight years of incident numbers in the 200s.
Of the 364 calls received, 39 percent were rescue or medical.
"Industry wise, that's pretty much the norm," Cockrum said.
Benton Fire Department responded to 144 rescue and emergency service incidents in 2015.
There were 65 structure fires last year, which represents about 18 percent of the total number of incidents in which the fire department responded. The department responded to 76 structure fires in 2014.
Specifically, the fire department responded to 30 building fires, 11 trash or rubbish fires, two passenger vehicle fires, and eight outside rubbish, trash or waste fires. There were 10 motor vehicle accidents with injuries and seven extrications.
"These guys every year respond to this many incidents that they have no idea upon dispatch what they're going to come across. When they get to a scene they have to figure out how to mitigate the situation. I think that shows and attests to what kind of strengths the firefighters have to have to do their jobs well," Cockrum said.
Cockrum said the response times have been impressive.
"The majority of our calls are run by engine 801, which is our rescue unit and engine 803, which is our first-out for fire calls. From the time of dispatch to the time of arrival on scene is averaging about three minutes, which is a very good response time."
Engine 801 responded to 201 calls last year; engine 803 responded to 115 calls.
The department had 50 false alarms/calls in 2015.