The Centralia Fire Department reported total fire loss in 2021 at $434,320 with the total value of the property saved placed at more than $1,750,000.
Chief John Lynch in his annual report says the costliest structure fire was a residential fire located at 617 South Maple on September 26th. The total loss on the one fire was placed at $90,700.
There was one fire fatality in a house fire on Case Street where the woman was rescued from the home by firefighters and an employee of Lifestar Ambulance. There was one firefighter injury during the year.
The fire department responded to a total of 2,083 calls in 2021 compared to 2,003 calls in 2020. The increase continues the upward trend of number of calls that began in 2015.
There were 68 total fires, down from 73 in 2020. The fire calls included 37 building fires, ten passenger vehicle fires, and eight forest, woods, and grass fires.
Non-fire calls included 1,292 rescue and emergency medical service incidents.
There were another 318 service calls for emergency lockouts, lift assistance and assistance to police and public works. The department received 128 false alarms or false calls and another 121 hazardous condition calls with no fire.
Lynch says the fire department completed 5,417 training class hours, continued to work to maintain and build strong relationships with neighboring departments, completed pre-fire inspections, annual building inspections, annual pump testing, ladder testing, and the testing over 800 fire hydrants. The department answered eight calls of assistance to other fire departments.
Lynch reported the fire chief and administrative assistant’s offices have been completed and the Captain’s quarters and bathroom are near completion.
The department ended 2021 staffed with a chief, 15 full-time firefighters, and four part-time firefighters. Heading into the new year a fifth part-time firefighter is being added along with a part-time administrative assistant.
Lynch commended the members of the department for their dedication to protecting the community.
