2006 Operations Report
October storm sent fire calls through the roof
by DAVID F. SHERMAN Managing Editor

Emergency calls dispatched through the Amherst Central Fire Alarm Office continued to rise during 2006 compared to the previous year, according to the annual operations report released this week by Senior Fire Dispatcher Raymond F. Braun.

The Amherst Central Fire Alarm Office dispatches fire, rescue and emergency medical units for 16 volunteer fire companies covering 150 square miles in the towns of Amherst, Clarence and Newstead and the villages of Akron and Williamsville.

During 2006, a total of 15,870 emergency alarms were dispatched, representing 16,170 individual fire company responses.

This is an increase of 2,264 alarms from 2005 and an increase of 2,292 fire company responses from 2005.

The 10 fire companies protecting the Town of Amherst - East Amherst, Eggertsville, Ellicott Creek, Getzville, Main-Transit, North Amherst, North Bailey, Snyder, Swormville and Williamsville - each saw a surge in the number of emergency calls during 2006. Getzville was affected the most, logging 340 more calls last year than in 2005.

Eggertsville and Snyder were close behind, increasing by 325 and 296 calls, respectively

As would be expected the "Surprise October Storm" had a significant impact on the Amherst Central Fire Alarm Office.

"During the hours and days that passed (during the storm), the fire dispatchers, with little regard for their personal circumstances, staffed the office around the clock," Braun said. "Our normal staffing is two fire dispatchers per shift working three shifts each day for a total of six fire dispatchers working in a 24-hour period.

"Initially the normal staff of two fire dispatchers per shift increased to four and at times five on duty working eight, 12 or 16 hours or more at a time. During the storm eight fire dispatchers carried the operation."

He said personnel situations made the effort even more complex. One full-time fire dispatcher had retired in June, and the only other part-time fire dispatcher resigned in March. Two fire dispatchers were out of town on vacation, forcing the remaining individuals to provide the necessary coverage.

"I am extremely proud to work with these individuals who have maintained the high standards set by their predecessors," Braun added.

Outside the Central Fire Alarm Office, members of the 16 individual volunteer fire companies worked throughout the snowstorm emergency, responding to thousands of calls for assistance.

"In addition, we continued to receive the highest level of cooperation from law enforcement agencies, emergency services officials, fire inspectors and governmental officials during the storm emergency," he said.

Looking at the entire year just passed, total calls for fires increased from 1,342 to 1,505. Requests for emergency medical services jumped from 8,238 to 8,791, and miscellaneous alarms went from 3,313 to 4,896.

Motor vehicle accidents dropped only slightly, from 938 to 925.

Included in the 2006 total alarms are 3,623 alarms dispatched directly to Twin City Ambulance Service. Following Advanced Emergency Medical Dispatch protocols, it was determined that a volunteer fire company's assistance was not necessary at these alarms.

Braun praised his office's ability to handle a greater number of calls as well as its response to natural disasters.

"Over the past several years, the number of alarms and requests for services provided by this office has increased significantly. This trend continued in 2006 even when the incidents from the October snowstorm are excluded. The Central Fire Alarm Office is committed to meeting the challenges that a greater workload presents while maintaining the level of service that residents expect and deserve.

"During the October storm, the ability of the dispatchers to meet the challenges presented demonstrates this office's ability to handle an extremely high level of calls for emergencies, dispatch the proper resources and work with other agencies in a manner that provides timely assistance to our residents in their time of need."

e-mail: dsherman@beenews.com