Turkey Creek Fire Chief Mickey Scott reported Monday, Jan. 11, his department used only 89 percent of its allotted 2015 budget.

The taxpayers got their money’s worth.

The department finished the year with 1,363 emergency runs, an average of 114 runs per month and the most in the territory’s seven-year history. The total exceeded 2014’s previous record by more than 100 runs.

The jump in the total consisted entirely of EMS responses; the fire runs remained constant (200 in 2014 and 197 last year).

Scott attributed the record-setting total to two factors: an increase in year-round lake residents and the aging of the local population.

The department was able to limit property loss in 2015 to $84,950, more than half of that in September.

Scott cited the department’s 2015 highlights at Monday’s board meeting, including:

• Completion of major renovations to Station 1, including construction of a second story

• Paving and other remedial asphalt and drainage work at both stations

• Purchase of a new ambulance

• Installation of physical fitness equipment at Station 1, to be shared with the Syracuse Police Department

• Completion of pre-plans for several businesses, complexes and residences in the territory

The pre-plans involve consulting with the property owners and operators to discern the building’s layout and the location and condition of sprinkler systems and other vital components.

The information for each building is assessed and compiled to generate a blueprint for emergency response, including allocation of equipment and manpower. “It helps determine what actions we are going to take,” said Scott. “It saves a lot of confusion.”

Every territory property owner or resident is urged to contact the fire department to discuss their individual pre-plan. “Our goal for 2016 is to write up as many as we can get.”

Scott cited two incentives to contact the department about a pre-plan. “It could help with insurance,” he said, “plus it will give peace of mind.”

For more information, call (574) 457-4100.

The department held its annual awards banquet Dec. 12. “Several CPR save awards were presented to our members and one individual that was saved was present at the banquet,” reported Scott. “We had a total of seven cardiac arrest saves in 2015.”

Award recipients included Aaron Polsean (most improved firefighter of the year), Matt Dunithan (EMS member of the year), Travis Miller (firefighter of the year) and Lee Gardner (officer of the year).

Officer appointments for 2016 were reported. Scott will continue as fire chief. The other appointments are Brian Richcreek as deputy chief, Quinn Hunter as A shift captain, Bob Tinkey as B shift captain, Howard Birkel as C shift captain and Tony Meek as EMS captain.

The board will next meet at 6:45 p.m. Monday, Feb. 8, at Syracuse Town Hall.