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Belton Fire Department reports faster response times, more inspections in 2024
Summary
Deputy Chief West told council the fire department handled about 2,500 incidents in 2024, saw a decline in structure and wildland fires, increased annual business inspections and reduced turnout and average response times; a new ladder truck is on order.
The Belton City Council received the Belton Fire Department’s 2024 year‑end report on Feb. 25. Deputy Chief West presented department statistics showing roughly 2,500 incidents in 2024, continued emphasis on medical‑assist responses, expanded inspection activity and faster turnout and response times.
Nut graf: The department reported a modest annual increase in total incidents driven by medical calls, a reduction in fires (structure, vehicle and wildland), a large increase in business inspections and improved response metrics. Staff said they ordered a new ladder truck (estimated three to four years for delivery) and expanded community engagement and training programs.
Key figures
• Total incidents: roughly 2,500 (an increase of about 34 calls year‑over‑year). • Medical assists: about 990 calls, the department’s single largest category. • Response times: average response about 7 minutes 30 seconds; turnout times improved by about one minute. • Inspections and prevention: a large increase in annual business inspections attributable to an expanded fire‑marshal effort; plan reviews were down, consistent with lower new commercial construction in 2024.
Equipment, staffing and community programs
The department reported improvements to station facilities (added gyms at Stations 1 and 2), completion of station staffing probationary periods such that the department had no probationary personnel on board for the first time in many years, and ordering of a ladder truck expected in several years. The fire‑marshal office increased inspections and plan reviews for life‑safety compliance. Community engagement rose: the department recorded nearly 5,500 public encounters across events including station tours, public‑education visits, CERT training, and holiday outreach programs.
Council response
Council members praised the reduction in fires, the expanded prevention work by the fire‑marshal’s office and the department’s community outreach. Members asked about hot‑spot mapping and suggested separating interstate corridor incidents (I‑14, I‑35) into dedicated boxes to improve reporting congruency for planning and budgeting. Staff agreed the mapping could be adjusted and said they would bring heat‑map detail in future reporting.
