By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

ALABASTER – The Alabaster Fire Department has seen a steady increase in its number of responses during the first half of 2017 when compared with the same time period in 2016, according to the most recent AFD activity report presented to the Alabaster City Council.

During its July 24 meeting, the City Council reviewed the AFD activity report as of June 30, which confirmed a significant rise in the department’s number of incidents and responses.

In June, the AFD recorded a total of 292 incidents: Six of which were fires, 188 of which were medical calls, 16 of which were hazard reports, 33 of which were calls for service, 36 of which were good intent and 13 of which were false alarms.

The 292 incidents in June brought the department’s year-to-date total of incidents to 1,751, compared to a total of 1,666 during the same time period in 2016.

In June, the department’s actions saved $494,000 worth of property, bringing the midyear saved property total to nearly $1.4 million.

Alabaster firefighters have seen a slight decrease in the number of calls requiring ambulance transport. In June, the department saw 116 patients transported by ambulance, bringing the year-to-date total to 759 patients. By comparison, the department saw 769 patients transported.

While not responding to emergency calls, the AFD conducted 28 blood pressure checks at its firehouses, installed 22 child safety seats, attended four community events, held two community risk reduction classes, provided emergency medical standby for an event in the city, gave one firehouse tour to a local Girl Scout troop and changed batteries in two smoke alarms.

The department also saw a busy training month in June, recording 1,710 staff training hours to bring the year-to-date total to 14,274 hours. The training hours are on par with the 14,629 total from the first six months of 2016.

In June, the department conducted a hazardous materials decontamination training with the Pelham Fire Department and U.S. Army, six AFD personnel earned certifications from the Alabama Fire College and two personnel attended accreditation training.