Call volumes for the fire division were almost 60% higher than pre-COVID levels. The Prince George Fire Rescue Service saw a 22% increase in calls in 2022, compared to the last year.

Prince George fire fighters took action to a total of 9,880 calls in 2022, according to a report going before the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George board of directors next week. That’s up from 8,087 calls in 2021.

Of the 9,880 calls previous year, 5,949 were emergency health care calls, 2,623 were related to fires, 626 were rescue calls and 682 were executive.

The Prince George Fire Rescue Service has seen an important increase in calls over the past eight years.

In 2020, the department responded to 4,831 calls – though, during that year the local government revised B.C. Emergency Health Services dispatch protocols so non-paramedic first responder agencies would only be posted to urgent medical calls to prevent needless COVID-19 exposures.

But amid 2015 and 2019, the fire department took action to between 5,888 and 6,881 calls per year – averaging approximately 6,200 calls per year.

A report on the fire department’s service levels will be going to Prince George city meeting on March 1. The report is predictable to outline the need for additional personnel and resources to meet the rising demand for calls in the region.