LFD responds to 212 calls in 2014.

LFD ariel truck sprays water on the roof of the Applebee’s fire in January 2014.

By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief.

LUDINGTON — The Ludington Fire Department responded to 212 calls in 2014, including three structure fires in the city and five fires assisting other fire departments.

Fire Chief Jerry Funk presented the department’s annual report Monday during the city council’s regular meeting.

“We had a nice down year,” Funk said. “We were quite a few runs down from the year before.”

Other calls included eight “small fires”, 29 sparking or downed wires, 16 false alarm runs, 52 medical runs, 41 vehicle crashes, 10 vehicle extrication runs and 48 general service runs. Vehicle extrication calls include assisting other fire departments west to Stiles Road.

In 2013 the department responded to 262 calls and 253 runs.

The 20-member department includes six officers, three fire engines, one 100-foot ladder truck, one rescue truck, one medical response unit and a patrol boat, it operates with Ludington Police Department. In 2014 the department held over 1,600 hours of training. Funk said he expects even more training this year including an officer training program. He said he is encouraging the younger members of the department to take more of a leadership role in the department.