Anacortes fire chief outlines 2024 call increases, staffing and facility needs; warns calls could triple by 2045

Fire Chief Harris told the Anacortes City Council on March 17 that the fire department’s total reported call volume for 2024 was about 4,767 — roughly a 3.5% increase from 2023 — and that medical calls continue to dominate the workload.

Harris said the department recorded about 2,057 hospital transports in 2024, that roughly 63% of transports were advanced life‑support (paramedic) level, and that EMS calls represent about 80% of overall responses. He told council members the department will present detailed recommendations for staffing and facilities as part of the city’s comprehensive plan and upcoming budget planning.

The presentation matters because the city is updating its comprehensive plan and level‑of‑service standards and because the department projects continued growth in demand that will affect when and how the city must add personnel and facilities. Chief Harris described the department’s 2024 budget performance, recent investments, and specific operational changes made after voters approved Proposition 1 last year.

Chief Harris summarized 2024 operational data and recent changes. The department ran about 13 calls per day on average, with downtown units (Medic 14, Engine 2911 and Ladder 2915) handling roughly half of all calls. In addition to EMS work, the department reported eight structure fires, 10 vehicle fires, one boat fire, 12 vegetation/wildland incidents, 32 hazardous‑materials incidents, 14 water‑related…