Fire chief reports 2024 call volume, care-facility runs and 94% property-save rate

Rob Gaylor of the Westfield Fire Department presented the department's year-end report, saying the department handled just under 5,000 911 calls in 2024 and about 5,500 total contacts when including social work and community paramedicine.

Gaylor described a breakdown of responses: 3,210 medical calls in 2024 and about 11,000 total apparatus responses. He said average turnout time was 80 seconds and the department "averaged 13.6 responses per day." Property damage across incidents for the year totaled about $728,000, while the value of properties involved was stated as $12,800,000, yielding a save rate above 94%.

The chief told the board the department is focusing on care-facility calls, which account for 16% of total workload and about 24% of medical runs. He said education and regular engagement with facilities aim to reduce avoidable calls. "I will say a percentage, just guesstimating right now, I would say 25 to 30 percent of those calls are truly calls that they could probably handle through another means other than calling 911," Gaylor said.

Gaylor credited the department's social worker, Jamie, and community paramedicine for reducing demand: "Bringing Jamie, our social worker on board has really been a benefit," he said, noting social work contacts translate into fewer 911 responses.

The chief also thanked public works and other departments for assistance during a recent structure fire at 511 East Main Street, and highlighted mutual-aid relationships with neighboring agencies.

Ending: The board acknowledged the report and offered assistance as staff continue outreach and education with care facilities.