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Fire chief: new Station 98 is open and already easing response times
Summary
Fire Chief Brian White told the Public Safety Commission Station 98 opened Nov. 24 and has run multiple critical calls; November saw 478 emergencies citywide and an average response time of about 4.37 minutes, White said.
Fire Chief Brian White told the Public Safety Commission that Fire Station 98 opened Nov. 24 and has already begun to ease demand on existing resources.
"For the month of November, there were a total of 478 emergencies within the jurisdiction of Desert Hot Springs," White said, adding that roughly 86% were medical calls (about 398). He summarized response‑time metrics including an average response time of 4.37 minutes and said 70.51% of calls met a five‑minute benchmark.
White described mutual aid activity (171 mutual‑aid responses into the city and 114 responses by city apparatus outside the jurisdiction) and recounted a Nov. 1 structure fire on San Juan Road where crews contained attic fire and performed salvage. He said Station 98 staffed a four‑person engine company that same month and that the new Quint (ladder truck) is on site but personnel training and some equipment deliveries have delayed full operational use until early next year.
The chief also announced the addition of Battalion Chief Ryan Kirby, who is completing training requirements. Commissioners asked whether Station 98 had relieved Station 37; White said it has, especially for fires and critical calls, and that the new station has already run cardiac arrest responses and other emergencies.
The commission asked for follow up as the department completes Quint training and integrates the new staffing into response planning.
