The Bemidji Fire Department responded to more than 1,000 calls for service over 2022.
According to the annual report, this represents an 18.6 percent increase since 2019.
About 600 of those calls were for emergency medicals and rescues, with nearly 100 fire responses.
An anticipated challenge going forward for the fire department is staffing.
The department includes the fire chief and deputy, seven career firefighters, and 48 paid-on-call firefighters.
Recruitment and retention for paid-on-call firefighters continue to be a major challenge to fire service across the state, due to significant time demands and required monthly training.
Bemidji Fire Station 1 on 5th Street is also in deteriorating condition.
Chief Justin Sherwood reports that the 51-year-old building has some cracks in its foundation and inadequate space and facilities for its dormitories, in addition to numerous other structural challenges.
The Bemidji City Council is currently reviewing options for a possible combined Fire Station 1 & City Hall, as both aging buildings have a number of various deficiencies, highlighted during the flooding last spring.
