The Kingsport Fire Department has released its 2024 annual report detailing a decrease in incident responses alongside an increase in training hours from the previous year. The comprehensive report, published yesterday, showcases a year of progress and an array of new resources aimed to bolster emergency services in the city. As revealed in the document, firefighters attended close to 7,600 incidents in 2024, marking a decrease from the 2023 figures by over 500 calls, according to the City of Kingsport's official release.
A drop in structure fires to 94, a small uptick in vehicle fires reaching 53, and a single fire-related fatality that shadows the otherwise encouraging statistics. “Overall, last year was a productive year for the Kingsport Fire Department,” Kingsport Fire Chief Scott Boyd stated in the report, underscoring the acquisition of new equipment and the department's extended hand during times of crisis, as noted by the city's website.
Among the notable achievements, the department took delivery of a new Hazmat Unit and placed an order for a new Pierce Engine to replace an older one. Further displaying regional camaraderie, the KFD responded to Hurricane Helene relief efforts in neighboring counties and also deployed three firefighters for Hurricane Debby relief in South Carolina. Engagements within the community extended through a continued partnership with the DB Fire Science program, installation of gear washers at multiple stations, and an impressive number of community risk reduction presentations and activities that reached over 48,391 adults and children.
Training for the firefighters is an area that saw marked improvement, with personnel completing nearly 31,000 hours of training across different disciplines—an increase of 1,291 hours from last year. In addition, the department's community outreach included inspecting and consulting on 306 child passenger seats, emphasizing the everyday practicalities of safety measures that often go unseen, according to the same release.
Kingsport, home to more than 55,400 residents across 54 square miles, is protected by 115 fire department personnel operating out of eight stations. The Kingsport Fire Department holds an impressive ISO rating of 2 — a distinction shared by only 31 communities in Tennessee. A full report is available to the public for a closer look at the department’s operations.
