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The Oshtemo Fire Department provides many services to the community. The most obvious service the fire department provides is responding to emergency calls. There are many type of calls which the fire department responds to. The Oshtemo Fire Department responded to 1813 calls for service in 2009. Below is a breakdown of each category of call.
The main mission of the Oshtemo Fire Department is to provide the community with fire suppression services. In 2009 the fire department responded to 95 fires, which includes structure fires, cooking fires, vehicle fires, brush fires, and dumpster fires.
Another service provided by the fire department is first response to Emergency Medical Service (EMS) calls. Kalamazoo County is serviced by two private ambulance companies which provide Advanced Life Support services and transport to area hospitals. Fire departments in Kalamazoo County are dispatched to life threatening medical emergencies since they can often arrive prior to the ambulance services and begin medical care. Oshtemo Township currently contracts with Life EMS to provide Advanced Life Support services within Oshtemo.
Oshtemo Fire Department members are trained to a minimum of Medical First Responder, the department also has several Emergency Medical Technician - Basics and Emergency Medical Technician - Paramedics. In 2008, the department responded to 1,241 EMS calls. Over the past five years Oshtemo has experienced an average increase of 9.5% in EMS calls.
A third service provided by the fire department is responding to vehicle crashes. In 2008 the fire department responded to 180 vehicle crashes. Vehicle crashes are broken down into three categories: crashes with injuries, crashes without injuries, and crashes where extrication of the patient is required.
A fourth service is responding to hazardous conditions. In 2009 the department responded to 54 hazardous condition calls consisting of: gasoline spills, natural gas leaks, chemical spills, carbon monoxide incidents, severe weather issues, and electrical problems.
A fifth service is responding to service calls. Service calls include person in distress, water leaks, smoke or odor removal, animal rescues, public service, assisting other agencies, and unauthorized burning. The fire department responded to 100 service calls in 2008.
A sixth call type the fire department responds to are good intent calls. Calls falling under this type include: dispatched and cancelled enroute, wrong location, authorized controlled burning, and smoke scares. The department responded to 212 good intent calls in 2008.
The final type of call the fire department responds to are false fire alarms. In 2006 there were 167 false fire alarm calls. False alarms can be caused in a number of ways. Intentional false alarms, alarm system malfunctions, and unintentional activations (cooking) all constitute false fire alarms.
In addition to responding to calls the fire department also provides many other services to the community. These services include:
- Fire Safety Surveys at commercial and multifamily buildings, ensuring fire safety standards are met.
- The fire department provides public education services consisting of fire safety presentations and CPR classes. If interested in having a fire safety presentation or setting up a CPR class contact the Community Fire Safety Specialist at (269) 375-0487.
- Is your group having an event? Why not invite the fire department to your church function, neighborhood block party, or other event. Call the Community Fire Safety Specialist at (269) 375-0487.
