The Knoxville City Council heard from Knoxville Fire Chief Cal Wyman about the Department’s recommended budget for fiscal year for 2024. The department is asking for a 17.83 percent increase over the past budget. The department is asking to add three part-time positions, one for each shift.

Overall operations have increased due to vehicle operations and operating supply cost increases. Chief Wyman added that the department received 2,612 calls last year, which was a 7.5 percent increase over the year before. A majority of the calls were for EMS services, which accounted for 1,777.

Wyman tells KNIA/KRLS News about the past year, “So, we had a pretty action packed year. We saw a 7.5 percent increase in our calls. Total number of calls last year was 2,612.”

During his presentation to the city council Wyman reported that it is likely the department’s annual calls will reach 3,300 within five years. Wyman said his department is the busiest service in the county.