Fire, police departments expect busier year

It is shaping up to be another busy year - if not busier - for the city of Yuma's police and fire departments, based on the number of calls for service each agency has responded to so far.

According to statistics provided by the Yuma Fire Department, the agency has already responded to 7,724 emergency calls for service from Jan. 1 through Sept. 12.

"We've seen an increase every year in our number of calls for emergency service," said fire inspector Kayla Holiman. "It is only an estimation, but we are on track to reach 12,000 calls for service."

The Yuma Police Department has responded to 42,848 calls for service from Jan. 1 through Aug. 30, which is less than last year during the same time.

"We are a little bit behind in our calls for service compared to last year, but we haven't hit the winter yet, which is our busiest time of the year," said Sgt. Clint Norred. "With the increase in population, we are going to have an increase for service and in police reports."

Last year, the YFD responded to a grand total of 11,575 calls, while the YPD responded to 81,347 calls.

"Over 80 percent of our calls were actually for emergency medical responses," Holiman said.

Among the calls for service the YFD has responded to this year include 254 commercial assignments, including 13 fires in businesses, 10 fires in apartments and various alarms, 21 hazardous material responses, 12 mutual aid assignments, 12 mutual aid assignments, 734 motor vehicle crashes

The YFD's year-to-date runs for service also include 5,874 medical emergencies (serious to minor), including 810 for difficulty breathing, 527 for chest pain, 748 fall victims, 510 unconscious people, 192 seizure cases, 183 diabetic emergencies, 123 possible stroke cases, 105 poisoning/overdoses, 141 patients with mental problems, 50 allergic reactions, 57 calls for a child locked inside of a vehicle, and miscellaneous other illnesses and injuries.

There were also 829 calls for special duty, public assistance and residential assignments, including 40 fires in private residences, 64 Dumpster fires, 17 grass or brush fires, 17 fires outside of a structure, 48 vehicle fires and various alarms.

For the week of Aug. 24-30, the YPD responded to an average of 145 calls for service per day.

During this week, YPD responded to 1,045 calls for service, documented 216 police reports, responded to 40 non-injury accidents and 12 injury accidents.

Significant incidents and community events during the weeklong time frame include on Aug. 29, an adult male attempted to rob the Circle K at 2398 S. Avenue B. He was unsuccessful and fled the scene.

Also on Aug. 29, two males entered the National Bank at 2415 S. Avenue A. One suspect handed the teller a note stating he was armed and demanded money. They took an undisclosed amount of money and fled on foot from the bank.

The Drive Safe location was Avenue B and 24th Street and resulted in 2,133 citations being issued.

So far this year, through Aug. 30, the YPD has responded to 42,848 calls for service, documented 9,225 police reports, responded to 1,629 non-injury accidents and 652 injury accidents, as well as 3,465 alarm calls, which resulted in 14 police reports.

For the week of Sept. 2-8, the city of Yuma Parks and Recreation Department responded to and cleaned up 56 incidents of graffiti, 72 rounds of 9-hole golf were played at Desert Hills and Arroyo Dunes golf courses, 545 rounds of 18-hole golf were played at Desert Hills and Arroyo Dunes golf courses, the Putter Inn served 446 meals, 22 events were held at the Yuma Civic Center with an attendance of 1,085 people, a total of 45 games were played at city of Yuma athletic facilities.

Also, the Yuma Art Center hosted two events with total attendance of 117; 70 ramadas, parks and fields were rented for special events; 22 programs were offered through the city's recreation program, with 2,689 members of the Yuma community participating in those programs

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FIRE EMERGENCIES

Number of calls for emergency service the Yuma Fire Department responded to by year:

• 2007 - 11,013
• 2006 - 10, 097
• 2005 - 10,046
• 2004 - 9,208
• 2003 - 8,778
• 2002 - 8,453
• 2001 - 7,587
• 2000 - 6,823

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POLICE EMERGENCIES

In 2008 the Yuma Police Department responded to:

• 81,347 calls for service
• 13,746 police reports documented
• 1,320 non-injury accidents
• 717 injury accidents
• 8 fatalities
• 3,465 alarm calls resulting in 14 police reports.
• 52,531 911 calls
• Arrested 4,367 adults and 1,570 juveniles

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PARKS AND REC TOTALS

The city of Yuma Parks and Recreation Department has reported since July 1, 2009:

• 603 incidents of graffiti have been addressed and cleaned up
• 761 rounds of 9-hole golf have been played at Desert Hills and Arroyo Dunes golf courses
• 5,037 rounds of 18-hole golf have been played at Desert Hills and Arroyo Dunes golf courses
• The Putter Inn has served 3,786 meals
• 293 events have been held at the Yuma Civic Center with an attendance of 18,495
• Total of 1,240 games were played at city of Yuma athletic facilities
• The Yuma Art Center hosted 21 events with a total attendance of 2,964
• 754 ramadas, parks and fields were rented by Yuma area residents
• 298 programs were offered with 70,969 people attending those programs