Fire department has another record year

The Belgium Fire Department is busier than ever these days.

The department responded to more calls in 2024 than it ever has, and that was after a record 2023.

“It seems like every year (they set a record),” Chief Pat Wester said.

“It’s always an 8% to 10% increase in call volume each year.”

Last year, the department responded to 295 calls, up 8% from the 273 in 2023.

Of those, 238 were emergency medical service calls and 57 were fire calls.

Of the EMS calls, 56% required an automatic page for a paramedic.

“The paramedic services are keeping busy on our calls,” Wester said.

The department has 13 licensed paramedics on call and four more in school, he said.

The state has a bridge course that allows registered nurses to become emergency medical technicians.

“They know vitals. We’re preparing the patient for the hospital, whether it be immobilizing the patient, triage and trauma or skills like that,” Wester said.

The department has 32 firefighters.

It is handling the higher number of calls with fewer members than in past years. Wester is looking for more firefighters and EMTs.

“I’ve got a very good team here. They respond to a lot of calls,” he said. “I could always use more help. It would alleviate a lot of the stress.”

The department is an independent organization that covers the village and town of Belgium and provides mutual aid across the area.

The paramedic-level service is now 24/7, thanks to the village and town of Belgium and Town of Fredonia contracting with the Village of Fredonia. Fredonia’s fire department has a paramedic at the station at all times, a joint initiative developed over the last few years designed to shorten response times as call volume rises and the volunteer pool shrinks.

For information on joining the department, email joinbelgiumfd@gmail.com or call (920) 980-2522.

Fire in the Hole bags tourney is back

The department will hold its third annual Fire in the Hole bags tournament on Saturday, Feb. 8, at the firehouse.

Bags fly at 2 p.m. Food and beverages will be served and raffles will be held all day.

Register  at https://share.scoreholio.com/JoD9xHke7Ob.