Woodburn Fire Calls in 2006 Not Alarming

$300,000 of the 2006 loss was a result of a house fire on January 1st.

Photo: Woodburn Fire Department

(WOODBURN) - Woodburn Fire District responded to 1,985 calls in 2006 - an increase of 250 calls over 2005.

Despite the increase, Woodburn Fire District hasn't come close to the 2,593 calls ran in 1996.

The fire district contributes this to a great working relationship with Woodburn Ambulance, a private ambulance provider.

In late 1996, the two organizations developed a call-screening process to eliminate as much duplication of services as possible.

When a call is received by NORCOM, the local dispatch center, the call taker evaluates the level of service needed by asking the caller some basic questions.

The appropriate units are sent as determined by protocols that are pre-established through both the fire district and ambulance company.

This response protocol went into effect the last six months of 1997 and reduced that year's call volume for Woodburn Fire District by 640 calls.

The first full year of operation was 1998, when the fire district responded on 1,651 calls.

That is a reduction of 942 calls from the 2,593 calls ran in 1996.

The 1,985 calls ran in 2006 is the highest call volume since 1996.

The partnership between these three agencies allows for constant evaluation of the response protocols so adjustment can be made if needed.

Each agency has the ability to request immediately, additional units at any time during an emergency response if personnel feel more resources may be needed.

Woodburn Fire District had an estimated property loss of $691,370 resulting from fires in 2006.

The 2006 loss is $35,788 greater than 2005 however is the third lowest in 10 years.

In 1970, Woodburn Fire District started an aggressive fire prevention education program in the schools and fire prevention remains a priority today.

In the 2005/06 school year the fire district delivered 122 programs to K -5th grade which reached 3109 students.

For 36 years the school children have been taught a consistent message of preventing fires and how to escape a fire.

What we need now is a refresher for adults to prevent fires from stove top cooking and candles.