Lima Fire Department reports record call volume, training upgrades in 2024

The Lima Fire Department delivered its 2024 annual report to the council, reporting the highest call volume on record, substantial EMS activity and investments in training and equipment.

Chief summarized key metrics: the department responded to its highest number of calls in 2024, including more than 4,500 emergency medical service calls and multiple incidents that required mutual‑aid or additional resources. The department recorded 67 fires of consequence — incidents that required calling in additional resources and which involved significant property loss.

The chief said the department increased continuing education and logged hundreds of training hours across firefighting, EMS, hazardous materials and technical rescue disciplines. The department also focused on officer development and onboarding for new firefighters.

Among equipment updates, the department thanked the utility department and council for a new technical rescue trailer recently delivered to improve rescue capabilities. The department reported upgrades to key apparatus, ongoing station maintenance across three stations and a move from manual tracking systems to an online software platform for operations and records.

“2024 saw us deploy new software. We went from post it notes, Excel spreadsheets…to everything’s online now,” the chief said. The chief closed by reiterating the department’s commitment to protecting life and property through professionalism and service and thanked council for ongoing support.

Councilors thanked the chief and had no substantive questions recorded in the transcript. The presentation was entered into the meeting record as the department’s annual report.