It's been a little bit of a slower start to 2016 when it comes to calls for the Okotoks Fire Department

With only one fire to respond to last week the department dealt with another average week of calls.

Fire Chief Ken Thevenot says they have been busier of late helping EMS on responses.

Okotoks Fire Chief Ken Thevenot

"We reported to 22 calls, four alarm system activations, 14 medical responses we helped out with, we had one chemical spill, one small grass fire and two vehicle accidents."

To date the department has responded to 419 calls if trends continue 838 calls could be the yearly total which would be significantly down from 2015's 1011.

Thevenot says its just been one of those years.

"We had a good winter, economic times could be a factor on it as well but I think it's just one of those years where your call volumes are down a bit but it gives us the opportunity to focus in on our inspection program and put some time into that as well.

Thevenot says they've really been trying to push to get inspections done sooner than they'd originally had in the past so businesses can have time to fix what could be a deficiency and allow them to come back and approve adjustments made.

"That will give us time for re-inspections and have them completed by November. Typically we would have them completed towards the end of November-December but we really tried to push this year to getting a systematic approach to having them completed annually. So in February for example the commercial business would know we're coming then so we want to get on that system."

To get your yearly business inspection done sooner rather than later contact the department here.

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