Knoxville Fire and Rescue responded to 2,267 calls in 2020, which was a record number for the department. Chief Cal Wyman tells KNIA/KRLS News that the increase is largely due to COVID-19.
“Every year, we’ve been noticing an increase in calls, this year more of an increase than our normal two to three percent due to COVID. Every year, nation-wide, emergency services see an increase in calls. Our department alone, in a three-year timespan has seen about an eight percent increase, and this year alone we had a five percent increase. A little higher of an increase this year, and I would say that extra percentage is from COVID.”