Benson Fire Chief reports 1,614 total calls in 2024 and seeks staffing changes for 2025/26

Fire Chief Alan Johnson presented the Benson Fire Department's 2024 year‑end summary to the Board on Feb. 11, reporting a total of 1,614 calls: 767 fire calls and 847 first‑responder calls. In‑town responses accounted for 930 calls (57.6 percent) and out‑of‑town responses were 684 (42.4 percent). Mutual aid given totaled 233 calls while 174 mutual‑aid requests were received.

Chief Johnson said total personnel man‑hours on calls reached 5,179 and training hours for the department totaled 7,232 in 2024. He told the Board that personnel needs for the 2025/2026 budget include promoting three captains from among six engineers and hiring three new shift firefighter positions.

Commissioner Maxine Holley praised the thoroughness of the report, saying Chief Johnson always gives a detailed report and noting the time he devotes to the department's work. Commissioner William Neighbors asked for more detail about the transition from a medical responder model to an EMT‑staffed department; Chief Johnson said the department now has about 30 first responders combined (medical responders, paramedics or EMTs) and that the county requires at least one EMT to be present on every call.

The presentation provided the Board with the department's operational metrics and a staffing request that will be considered as part of the upcoming budget process.