Measure Description

Fire Rescue Events measures the rate of fire rescue events responded to per 1,000 population. Fire rescue events include fire events, rescue events, medical events and other public hazards such as alarms, bombs, explosions and dangerous goods events. The measure is calculated based on the number of calls for which a response is dispatched. The data is collected through Computer Aided Dispatch as 911 calls come in to Fire Rescue Services. Fire rescue events are considered an indicator as the City has limited control over these events.

Measure Importance

The City of Edmonton Fire Rescue Services protects the lives, property and environment of the people who live, visit and work in Edmonton. The number of events Fire Rescue Services respond to is one indicator for how safe the city is.

Historical Data

Data source: Fire Rescue Services Record Management System (RMS)

Explanation of Performance

In 2017, Fire Rescue Services reported 53 fire rescue events per 1,000 population. This is the same result as 2016, and falls just short of the target of a decrease from the previous 3-year average (52). Emergency event call volume continues to increase, with the primary driver being medical events (68 percent of total call volume in 2017, compared to 67 percent in 2016). 
Fire Rescue Services implemented the Medical Pre-alert Pilot Project in 2015 to provide faster medical response to citizens. As part of the pilot, fire units are dispatched as soon as EMS receives medical emergency calls. Implementation of this project has caused an increase in the rate of fire rescue events since 2015, and the City sees this trend continuing. Opioid-related events also increased in 2017, which contributed to additional call volume.

Useful Links

For information about the City's strategic plan, The Way Ahead: http://www.edmonton.ca/city_government/city_vision_and_strategic_plan/the-way-ahead.aspx