 Well now that 2017 is in the books, numbers show that preventative measures and fire safety continue to be successful. Josh Peterson breaks the numbers down for the Bemidji Fire Department. While 2017 seemed like an aggressive year for fires and emergency activity, it was actually similar to recent years. Numbers released recently by the Bemidji Fire Department showed that 2017 was actually an average year. We ended up with 105 fires for the year, which is about average for us. We generally average just a little over 100 fires every year. Overall calls we were just here under 2000, which once again is very typical for us here in Bemidji. While the numbers have plateaued in recent years for the fire department, considering the rapid growth, last year's numbers are being viewed as a success. The fire department covers 18 local units of government with a total population of 35,000 people in a 522 square mile area. Numbers show the department responded to 105 fires, 128 motor vehicle crashes with injuries, 12 water and ice rescues, 397 life-threatening emergency medicals, and 972,500 dollars in property damage lost due to fire. I think for us we have a pretty successful community risk reduction fire prevention program. One of the things that we are seeing though is a lot of growth in the Bemidji area. With new growth comes challenges for any of the agencies that are providing services, including ours. The plan for continued success and keeping the numbers low is incorporated with planning and being proactive in the future. With all the proper regulations that have been put in place in the past, standards for placement of trees, placement of fire hydrogens, I mean all that planning that's done in the past has been really adequate for us here in the future, you know, with making sure everything's in the proper placements. But as the area continues to grow at a rapid rate, the department expects to make changes. In Bemidji, Josh Peterson, Lakeland News. Currently the fire department has been working closely with the Greater Bemidji Joint Planning Board to develop a long-term strategy as part of Bemidji's comprehensive plan. If you've enjoyed this segment of Lakeland News, please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to Lakeland Public Television.