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Summerville police and fire chiefs report rising call volumes, new crisis support and training
Summary
Chief Wright said calls for service rose significantly year‑over‑year and noted two homicides this year (both solved); fire department reported higher emergency responses, recruitment through an explorer program and increased EMT staffing. Council heard updates on grants, new dispatch software and wellness initiatives.
The Town of Summerville’s public safety leaders reported higher workloads and new initiatives at a standing committee meeting.
Chief Wright told council the police department’s calls for service increased from 2024 to 2025 and that the department handled nearly 100,000 calls last year based on data pulled when the committee packet was prepared. He said the department recorded zero homicides in a previous year and has had two homicides so far this year, both of which he said have been solved. Chief Wright also outlined grant activity (more than $2 million in awards), the adoption of a new dispatch suite (Premier 1), a drone first‑responder program, and the launch of an officer crisis peer support team.
Fire department staff reported emergency responses rising from totals in recent years to roughly 4,000 calls year‑to‑date, described 31,351 cumulative training hours across personnel, and noted that 85% of the department are EMT‑certified with a goal of reaching 100%. Speakers highlighted recruitment successes through the explorer program and recent retirements and promotions within the department.
Council members asked whether the increase in calls represented a change in reporting practice or purely more incidents; staff said it reflected higher volume rather than a change in response policy. The chiefs said the departments are pursuing grants and training to meet demand and stressed partnerships with local mental‑health providers for officer wellness.
