CAL FIRE/Butte County Fire Department responded to and/or processed 15,563 emergencies and calls for service in 2008. More than two thirds of those calls were for emergencies such as traffic collisions, rescues and medical aids. The total number off all types of fires equaled 789 with 309 of those being for wildland fires. There were 56 hazardous materials responses involving chemicals or suspected chemicals. Other responses, such as general assists to the public, fireworks complaints, false alarms, assists to other agencies, downed power lines, and law enforcement operations totaled 2,451.

In addition to fire engine responses, the department’s Emergency Command Center (ECC) performed 93 “Emergency Medical Dispatch” calls. These are calls where, prior to the arrival of the fire engine and ambulance, trained dispatchers give life saving instructions to the 9-1-1 caller in instances such as sever bleeding, heart attacks, choking and childbirth.