Turkey Creek Fire Department had its busiest year in 2014, averaging nearly 3.5 emergency responses per day, according to a year-end report submitted at Monday’s fire board meeting.

The department handled 200 fire and 1,057 EMS runs during the year, with fire calls peaking in August and September. “That’s when people started using heating equipment,” said Fire Chief Mickey Scott.

The 1,257 total exceeds by almost one a week the 1,210 annual calls the territory has averaged in its six-year existence.

The department did its 2014 work under budget, according to Scott’s financial report. The department used less than 88 percent of its allotments last year. According to state law, the territory can carry over up to 20 percent to the new year’s budget without triggering a reduction in township property assessments.

Scott mentioned one anomaly in the department’s 2014 finances. “We never received a bill from the Bowen Center for the mental examinations that were done in May and June,” he told the board.

Scott indicated he requested the bill to button up the department’s records, but none has been forthcoming. He was instructed by the board to send an email to the Bowen Center requesting confirmation whether the approximately $7,000 is owed.

Scott also reported the department ordered the new grass and brush fire truck whose purchase was approved last month.

The department, however, could be waiting a while for the finished vehicle. “Per the truck manufacturer, there is an 18-week wait on the chassis from Ford Motor Company (from the time it is ordered) which will be approximately May 1, 2015,” Scott reported. “The bid specification requires the unit be completed within 90 days from the receipt of the chassis, which will be approximately Aug. 1, 2015.”

Scott told the board, “There was no way we could have predicted that delay.”

Also included in the report:

• All the 2015 insurance premiums for accident, disability, worker’s compensation, life insurance for line-of-duty death and commercial liability have been paid.

• The department will provide fire and EMS standby service during the Syracuse Winter Carnival Jan. 31, including having four rescue divers available for this year’s inaugural “polar bear plunge.”

• Four department members are currently participating in fire and/or EMS training and certification classes. Eight other members, along with several members of other area departments, will take the classes within the next month in the new training room of Turkey Creek Fire Territory Station 1.

• Station 1 construction is complete. “Right now we just need drapes for upstairs and one refrigerator,” said Scott. He said he is “shopping around” to outfit the equipment room, and was asked by the board to bring pricing information to next month’s meeting.

The board will next meet at 6:45 p.m. Monday, Feb. 9, in the Syracuse Town Hall.