Seward Volunteer Fire Department reports improved response times, training investments

The Seward Volunteer Fire Department presented its annual report to the City Council, highlighting training, equipment purchases and response metrics for 2025.

Chief Mifflin (referred to in council remarks) told the council the department has 35 members, recently added new members, and emphasized training as a priority. "We continue to put an emphasis on training," the chief said, noting the department purchased a 20-foot ConX box to allow live-fire and fire-dynamics training when acquired structures are not available.

The department reported 694 responses in 2025, a modest decline from prior averages near 725. The department also reported improved response times: dispatch-to-enroute averaged roughly 6 minutes and 7 seconds, station-to-scene averages dropped to under three minutes, and total time from page to on-scene was reported at about nine minutes — well below the cited national volunteer-department average of roughly 15 minutes.

Officials discussed larger incident responses from the previous year and estimated property values affected by notable fires; the chief said one series of fires had estimated property values between $5 million and $10 million, while another structure fire involved properties valued at $160,000–$200,000.

Councilmembers asked about the recent rise in CO and structure calls and the status of a county mutual-aid bond program to replace apparatus. The chief said the rural fire board approved the first round of bonds and ordered trucks for nine departments; Seward is scheduled for a new bumper truck in a later round (anticipated 2028–29) with an estimated valuation of $650,000–$700,000.

The council moved to accept the annual report and recorded votes in favor.