The town's combined fire, rescue and medical responses have increased by nearly seven percent in one year, according to information in an executive summary just released by Fire Chief William Seward III.

During the 2014-15 fiscal year (July 1, 2014 – June 30, 2015) North Branford Fire Department (NBFD) responded to a total of 1,941 incidents in an average response time of 6:03 minutes.  During FY 2014-15, 129 members of the Department volunteered approximately 86,471 hours for this town; a cost savings of at least $2.1 million dollars to the community, noted Seward.

"North Branford Fire Department personnel respond to all types of hazardous incidents 24-hours a day. Members leave their families at the sound of the 'alarm tones' not knowing what lies ahead.  They participate in training sessions each Monday evening, attend company meetings, community events and perform stand by duties during extraordinary weather events. Many attend formal training classes through regional and state fire schools as well as maintain EMS certifications by completing refresher training programs," Seward stated.

Rescue & EMS calls topped the incidents list at 1,521 and made up over 78 percent of NBFD's department responses last year. NBFD responded to 39 fire incidents, 61 hazardous conditions and three severe weather incidents.  The department responded to 89 "good intent" calls, 87 calls for service and one incident involving overpressure/rupture.  NBFD also responded to 140 false alarm and fall call incidents.

The department reported three fire-related incidents resulting in "significant" property loss (totaling $135,000) and requiring mutual aid (assistance from other towns) during response.  The incidents included a Dec. 25, 2014 fire at 60 Berncliff Drive that created $10,000 in property loss; a March 25, 2015 fire at 9 Countryside Circle with $100,000 in property losses and a June 30, 2015 fire at 2121 Maple Road resulting in $25,000 in loss.  Additionally, during the 2014-15 fiscal year, NBFD responded to 20 structure fires, eight vehicle fires and 11 outside fires.

The 27 fires responded to in 2014-15 included personal property with a total value of  $50,114,000; of which $235,700 (0.47%) was considered property loss; showing that NBFD saved $49,878,700 (99.53%) of the involved property.

"When considering the value of any fire department, one must focus on the dollar value saved and lost which is directly related to suppression activities," Seward noted in the report. "Our community has very effective fire prevention and inspection programs which are carried out by a part-time Fire Marshal and Deputy Fire Marshal; it is the property owners that should be proud of our accomplishments."

In its role as primary EMS provider for the Town of North Branford, NBFD's responses to 1,521 calls for rescue and emergency medical service in 2014-15 includes 883 medical incidents, with 282 being trauma responses. Of those, 903 calls required intervention by paramedics. NBFD responded to 99 motor vehicle accidents, 1 technical rescue and provided 1038 transports. The Medic Unit responded to 409 incidents as the first responder.

"Since the inception of paramedic service in this town, we have witnessed firsthand the benefits of rapid ALS intervention through the return of spontaneous circulation on a number of our patients. According to statistics, this community has a 14% survival rate for witnessed cardiac arrests; this is 4% higher compared to the national average," Seward pointed out.

Seward closed his report with personal thanks to, "...the members of the Town Council, Town Manager, Honorable Board of Fire Commissioners, the men and women of the North Branford Fire Department, the Office of the Fire Marshal, members of the Fire Police Unit, the Ladies Auxiliary of each Company, employees of Vintech Management Services and most importantly the Company Officers and Chief's staff for all their hard that makes the NBFD a leader in Connecticut's professional volunteer fire service. "

A complete report and summary of 2014-15 fiscal year responses, provided by NBFD on Aug. 11, appears with this story.