By Lynzie Lowe
The Reporter
VACAVILLE, Calif. — Vacaville Fire Chief Kristian Concepcion pointed to a 19 percent increase in calls for service over the last four years as standing out among the highlights of the department’s annual report, released last week.
Concepcion said that in 2023, the department responded to another all-time high of 13,010 incidents, of which 9,635 were medical emergencies resulting in our ambulances transporting over 8,150 patients.
Data from the report also indicated that the department responded to a total of 223 fires last year, as well as 499 motor vehicle accidents, 481 false alarm calls, 101 hazardous condition responses which included natural gas, and 327 incidents where mutual aid was provided to neighboring departments.
According to the report, it took Vacaville Fire personnel one minute and 23 seconds to be en route once notified of an incident last year. The average travel time to arrive at a scene was six minutes and three seconds. Once on site, the report noted that fire personnel had an average commitment time of 28 minutes 8 seconds.
The department also logged 18,827 training hours, which is a 50 percent increase over 2022.
“Year after year, these numbers keep going up,” said Concepcion. “What does all this mean? It means the Vacaville Fire Department is a busy department and we’re in constant contact with our community members.”
Fifteen firefighters and firefighter/paramedics were also added to the department’s ranks in 2023, said Concepcion, in addition to three lateral firefighter/paramedics.
Several other longtime department personnel also bid farewell and retired from service in 2023, noted Concepcion, including Engineer Josh LaRoe, Captain Geoff Jeppson, Battalion Chief Matt Lage, and Battalion Chief Dave Rogers.
Looking to the future, the report outlined several goals for the department, including to continue evaluating staffing models to meet future public safety service delivery needs; complete construction and staff Fire Station 76 in Lagoon Valley; complete the recruitment process for apprentice, firefighter/EMT and firefighter/paramedic positions; while always maintaining a strong connection with the community of Vacaville.
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