Sunapee Fire Department reports 694 emergency calls in 2025

The Sunapee Fire Department posted its 2025 Year-End Report on the department website on January 12, 2026, showing the department responded to 694 calls for service last year. The breakdown: 296 fire calls, 305 emergency medical service calls, 68 motor vehicle accidents, and 25 service calls. The report directs readers to the full Sunapee Fire Department 2025 Year-End Report PDF for additional apparatus response numbers, response time data, and other departmental activity metrics.

For residents, the numbers underscore a near-even split between fire and EMS response demands. That balance has practical implications for training priorities, equipment needs, and deployment strategies. EMS calls were the single largest category by a narrow margin, which can affect staffing patterns and the prioritization of medical training and supplies alongside traditional firefighting resources.

The year-end report also includes apparatus response counts and response time information, which are key operational metrics for evaluating whether current staffing and equipment meet community needs. Faster response times typically correlate with better outcomes in both fires and medical emergencies, while slower times can indicate gaps in coverage or the need for mutual aid agreements with neighboring departments. The Sunapee news page includes contact information and a link to quarterly reports for residents and officials who want to review detailed performance data.

From a municipal governance perspective, the report will inform budget and capital planning discussions this spring. Apparatus replacement cycles, turnout gear, EMS equipment, and training budgets are all driven by call volume and response patterns. Town officials and budget committees should use the data to evaluate whether current funding levels align with operational demand, whether volunteer or paid staffing models need adjustment, and whether grant opportunities or regional partnerships should be pursued.

Civic engagement matters here. Reviewing the full PDF and quarterly reports will help taxpayers assess service levels and hold elected officials accountable during budget deliberations. Residents who depend on prompt emergency care should pay attention to response time trends and raise questions at Selectboard or budget hearings if service gaps appear.

The takeaway? Sunapee faced significant emergency demand in 2025, and the numbers in the year-end report are a starting point for practical community choices about funding, staffing, and regional cooperation. Our two cents? Read the report, bring specific questions to town meetings, and push for clarity on how the town will translate these figures into reliable, timely emergency services for everyone in Sunapee.