CDF/Butte County Fire Department responded to and/or processed 15,049 emergencies and calls for service in 2005. More than two thirds of those calls were for emergencies such as traffic collisions, rescues and medical aids. The total number off all types of fires equaled 723 with 248 of those being for wildland fires. There were 43 hazardous materials responses involving chemicals or suspected chemicals. Other responses, such as general assists to the public, fireworks complaints, false alarms, assists to other agencies, downed power lines, and law enforcement operations totaled 2,854.

In addition to fire engine responses, the department’s Emergency Command Center (ECC) performed 103 “Emergency Medical Dispatch” calls. These are calls where, prior to the arrival of the fire engine and ambulance, trained dispatchers give life saving instructions to the 9-1-1 caller in instances such as sever bleeding, heart attacks, choking and childbirth.

“Many people don’t realized everything their fire department does,” stated CDF/BCFD Chief Henri Brachais. “When people don’t know who to call, they call the fire department. We are prepared and trained to respond to a wide variety of emergencies and calls for service.”