Sunrise Beach Fire Department says 2017 was busiest year ever

The Sunrise Beach Fire Department reported on Wednesday that 2017 was their busiest year ever with crews making 780 emergency and fire runs.

Fire Chief Dennis Reilly said the numbers reflect a trend in the district, “We are seeing a significant increase in runs as our population grows.”

The department made 708 emergency runs in 2016 and 677 as recently as 2013.

Reilly expects the trend to continue, “There was a substantial increase in the number of building permits we issued in 2017 and we are seeing a big increase in road traffic.”

Reilly said the pressure on the department is growing and wants to add more staff to keep a second station open at all times.