GVFD firemen, EMTs respond to 265 calls in 2020

Last year, Grant volunteer firefighters and EMTs responded to a total of 265 calls, more than in 2019 where they responded to 214 calls.

There were a total of 37 fire incidents. There were five structure fires, three vehicle or equipment fires, five haz-mat, 14 mutual aid, and four categorized as “other.” Grass and crop fire incidents accounted for the majority of fire calls in 2020 with 23.

In 2020, there were a total of 227 ambulance calls. Medical calls accounted for the majority of ambulance calls last year with 92. There were 52 long distance transfers, 28 flight for life and 21 trauma calls. There were also 16 motor vehicle calls, two cardiac calls, and 14 that were classified as “other.”

There was one emergency management situation in 2020.

The fire department and EMTs spent 973 hours in training last year, and 2,197 hours in service.

Perkins County’s emergency services had the most calls in October with 33, followed by the second highest number, 32, in July. They had the fewest number of calls in August, with just nine.

Calls per month in 2020 were broken down as follows:

• January: 26

• February: 25

• March: 19

• April: 28

• May: 25

• June: 11

• July: 32

• August: 9

• September: 20

• October: 33

• November: 18

• December: 19

On average, the busiest day of the week for emergency services in 2020 was Friday each week, and noon was the busiest time of day.

Annual banquet held

Perkins County Ambulance and the Grant Volunteer Fire Department held their 2021 annual banquet Saturday, April 10 at the fairgrounds.

The evening began with an invocation and prayer delivered by Chief Rick Dreiling, followed by a meal and awards and recognitions.

Members

Grant firefighters and EMTs in 2020 included Chief Rick Dreiling, Assistant chief Fred Riechert, Senior Fire Captain Donald Softley, Ambulance Captain Chasity Knoles, Fire Captain and President Jason Noyes, Fire Captain Bryan Kroeker, Treasurer Matthew Deaver, Ambulance Lt. and Board of Director Dalton Zimmerman, Vice President H. Scott Knoles, Secretary Crystal Barry, Board of Director Brent Deaver and Board of Director Brandon Lampmann.

Also on the firefighter and EMT team were Brendon Berry, Andrew Cantrell, Casandra Cockerill, Robert Engel Jr., Robert Hochstein, Robert Kentner, Rick Ochsner, Travis Ogg, John Pick, Caleb Richter-Tate, Joe Tatum and Dwight Weibe.

Elsie EMTs were Katie Robertson and Patrick Aerni.

Venango EMTs included Troy Grothman and Steve Tucker.

Honorary members included Steve Bliss, Leslie Miyamoto, Ken Pankonin, Marlin Schmidt, Harlan Rahn, Wade Rahn, Robert Tatum and Billy Wilson.

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