The number of fire department call-outs dropped drastically in 2011, the first releases of annual reports from Coastal volunteer fire halls have indicated.
Annual reports from the Gibsons, Roberts Creek, Halfmoon Bay and Egmont fire halls were made public this month through the Sunshine Coast Regional District, and they all shared one striking feature in common -from fires and alarms to car crashes, the volunteers were called out less last year.
The Sechelt department presents its annual reports and figures through the District of Sechelt.
"Our call volume's down too. It's like 30 calls, I think," said administrator Greg Phelps of the Halfmoon Bay fire department. "A lot of it is public education. People are being really careful, and a little bit of fire prevention at the schools, it helps a lot."
Declines in each of the four reporting departments amounted to a net decrease of 26 per cent versus the number of call-outs in 2010.
The department works in the community to educate children and adults alike in fire prevention and safety measures.
In addition to their school visits, much of their educational material is also placed on-line, so it's available throughout the year to kids and adults. The hope is that by providing accessible information on topics like the proper use of fire extinguishers and carbon monoxide detectors, the number of emergency situations will continue to decline.
For its part, the Roberts Creek fire department saw a 29 per cent decrease in call-outs.
"I think, in general, people are a little bit more aware that in the summer they have to be careful," ventured fire chief Bruce Searle. "In the past, we've gone to lots of burning complaints in the summer and beach fires people have left and camp fires, that sort of thing. Last year we only went to a couple."
In Searle's region, chimney fires were cut in half last year, there was a substantial drop in motor vehicle incidents, and issues involving wiring dropped dramatically from 11 to two.
One factor the Roberts Creek fire chief said might have influenced the public's cautions was the devastating fire in Slave Lake, Alta. during May of last year. That blaze destroyed much of the town and was later suspected to be caused by arson.
"The other thing is the lowering of the allowable blood alcohol level. It has probably smartened up a lot of people into not driving when they've been drinking," added Searle. "We usually go to quite a few car accidents, and that was down a lot this year."
In the Town of Gibsons, the number of incidents was lower than all of the past three years. Whereas 2010 saw a spike in call-outs at 242, the number in 2011 was 176.
"Last year we only ended up with two or three small little brush fires," reported Gibsons fire chief Bob Stevens. "Typically, we're seeing half a dozen of those a year."
For Stevens, the feeling is that weather has played a significant role in a reduction of call-outs.
During hot and dry years, a degree of tension can be felt in the community he said, as people are more likely to put in a call concerning a patch of smoke for fear that it might spread.
Dry and hot weather also leads to riskier conditions, and last year's moderate summer meant fewer outdoor fires.
Like the other Coastal departments, Gibsons also engages the community through the schools to make sure people are taking the right steps to stay safe.
Another factor noticed by Stevens is technology and the increased demands made by insurance companies to have equipment regularly inspected.
While better technology has meant fewer fires related to electrical faults, Stevens said, chimneys are also being inspected much more regularly. Like the other departments, those types of fires are occurring less frequently in Gibsons.
"I think people are becoming a little more intelligent, a little smarter," he said. "Hopefully it continues."
