The Gates-Chili Volunteer Fire Department last year responded to 2,127 calls for help from local residents and companies.

That's about 150 fewer calls than 1999. However firefighter response is up - and that trend should continue again this year, thanks in large part to a unique bunking program the department launched in January.

As it usually does, weather played a large role in the number of fire department calls reported in 2000.

"Unlike the previous year when the town of Gates was struck with at least one major storm, Mother Nature looked kindly upon us last year," said Kevin Kassman the department's Fire Chief. In 1999, for example, a major storm struck the town, prompting 166 calls in just one hour.

In many ways, the year 2000 ended just like it began. Late last year firefighters were called to a major house fire on Battlegreen Drive. In January 2000, another house on Howard Road was destroyed by fire.

"We certainly had our share of residential disasters last year," Kassman said. All told, firefighters responded to 52 structure fires and at least 55 fires of other sorts - grass fires, car fires, and fires of unknown origin. The department's three companies also logged 28 rescues from motor vehicle accidents, and 634 EMS (emergency medical response) calls.

Most of the remaining incidents were "good intent" calls and automatic alarms in which the subsequent investigation proved not to be of any significant consequence.

Kassman said a significant number of calls last year and early this year were related to chimney fires. In January, for example, firefighters fought a blaze in the Hidden Valley subdivision that was the result of an overheated wood burning fireplace.

"The seemingly high number of chimney fires is a bit alarming," Kassman said, "particularly when many of the fires could have been prevented with a simple chimney inspection and cleaning."

Kassman said he understood that with rising energy prices and a harsh winter, residents are using their wood burning fireplaces and stoves more often. However, he reminded residents that wood burning appliances should be checked regularly.

Last year, an average of 11 firefighters responded to each of the 2,127 calls, totaling 22,547 "person responses." The previous year, firefighters responded to 2,293 calls.

The busiest time of day for firefighters was rush hour - weekdays between 4 and 6 p.m. However, Sunday was the busiest day of the week.

In an effort to speed up volunteer response to calls that occur overnight, the department recently initiated a "bunking" program.

"Getting that first truck out on the road has always been a department priority." Kassman said "During the day, that's not a problem since we have a paid crew on staff."

"But in the middle of the night, you have to consider the distance firefighters must travel just to get to the firehouse before that first truck rolls," Kassman said. "We wanted to find a way to improve upon that and give the town an immediate, first response capability."

Now the department is staffed by four volunteer firefighters who stay overnight at Company 1.

Last January, when the bunking program was first started, firefighters responded to 17 overnight calls. In each case, Kassman said "we had a truck on the road as soon as the call came in."

He said the firefighters response to the bunking program has been "exceptional -- especially when you consider the sacrifices the volunteers are making."

"Most of these firefighters work during the day - they have families to care for too," he said. "But they all recognize that the safety of our residents is important, so the one or two nights a month they can give to keep the program running is worth it to them."