It was a busy year for the Laconia Fire Dept.

By MICHAEL KITCH, LACONIA DAILY SUN

LACONIA — "Every year, we're breaking records," said Fire Chief Ken Erickson, adding that the 4,622 calls for emergency service in 2016 — more than a dozen a day — were the most ever responded to by the department and 7 percent more than in 2015 and 40 percent than in 2010.

Erickson said that 70 medical emergencies, including more than 200 high-risk emergencies, accounted for 70 percent of the call volume. Medical emergencies included an estimated 150 overdoses of narcotic drugs. At the same time, the department responded to 568 reports of fire during the year. The number of fires, Erickson said, matches or exceeds those of municipalities with larger populations and fire departments than Laconia. And 263 times Laconia firefighters were dispatched to other towns by the Lakes Region Mutual Fire Aid Association.

Nearly 70 percent of the department's call volume originates in the most densely populated area of the city within 2 miles of Central Fire Station. Firefighters responded to 67 percent of calls from this area within four minutes and 89 percent of all calls within six minutes while responding to 63 percent of calls in rural areas with six minutes.

The department's three ambulances responded to 3,959 medical emergencies and reported fires. Erickson described the primary ambulance, which was dispatched to 3,110 emergencies, as "very likely one of the busiest ambulances in the state."

Erickson noted that 2,280 occasions the department responded to more than one call and said that simultaneous calls continue to pose a challenge for the department. With nine firefighters on duty, on average Laconia firefighters respond to 513 emergencies, which the chief believes may make them the very busiest in the state.

"I am extremely proud at how well our guys have managed their unusually heavy workload," Erickson, adding that the department operated without significant injuries throughout the year. "It is a testament to the hard work, training and focus of the members of this department."