The Mountain Home Fire Department responded to 368 calls in August, including 12 fires, according to a monthly report presented to the City Council’s Public Safety Committee on September 15. The report shows a department increasingly dedicated to medical emergencies in an aging community.
Medical calls accounted for 242 of the total, or about two-thirds. The largest category within those was falls, with firefighters assisting 51 individuals who had fallen or were unable to get up. Other prominent medical calls included 27 for chest pain, 23 for breathing issues, 15 unconscious patients, 11 strokes, 10 seizures, 10 heart-related problems, six motor vehicle collisions with injuries, five overdoses or poisonings, and one cardiac arrest.
An additional 89 public service calls included 64 lift assists, 18 fire and smoke alarm activations, and two carbon monoxide alarms.
The 12 fires in August were categorized as one structure fire, two vehicle fires, three grass fires, three utility infrastructure fires, one trash fire, and two other outdoor fires. Firefighters also managed seven hazardous situations, such as gas leaks and downed power lines, and conducted one vehicle extrication. Seventeen calls were ultimately classified as false alarms or canceled runs.
Fire Chief Kris Quick noted that the department continues to see an increase in call volume. By the end of August, the department had responded to 2,616 calls in 2026—263 more than the same period in 2025. August alone saw a jump from 277 calls during 2025. If the current pace continues, the department is on track to handle around 3,900 calls this year, compared to 3,597 in 2024 and 3,402 in 2023. Despite the rise, Quick suggested that numbers in 2025 may have been unusually low rather than indicating a dramatic increase this year.
Quick emphasized that the department’s primary concern is "stacking," where its two staffed stations receive multiple calls at the same time. The department operates with 26 career firefighters and 10 paid-per-call volunteers across three shifts. Station 1 is staffed with five personnel, and Station 2 with three. Station 3 remains unmanned and houses a reserve pumper truck.
The report also mentioned equipment maintenance. The department’s 100-foot tower truck was out of service for five days in August for repairs but is now back in operation.
In addition to emergency response, the department conducted fire prevention and educational activities. Fire Marshal Shawn Lofton completed 61 inspections of local businesses and apartments in August, identifying six that failed and require follow-up.
The city also hosted retired FDNY Captain John Ceriello as a speaker during its 9/11 ceremony on September 7. Ceriello, who served 37 years with the New York City Fire Department, stayed an extra day to lead a firefighting class at Arkansas State University-Mountain Home. The session, which focused on the behavior of structure fires, drew participants from across the state and was funded through a combination of the department’s training budget, donations, and support from vendors.
Chief Quick concluded his remarks by noting a slower stretch in the department’s fuel use compared to earlier in the year. Hydrant checks and pre-planning of commercial sites were completed during the summer, leaving more time for crews to remain at their stations unless responding to calls.
The Public Safety Committee will meet next on October 20 at 2 p.m. in the Council Chambers.