In a recent presentation to town council, the Whitecourt Fire Department reported that in 2025, it received the highest number of calls in its recorded history.
The department responded to 433 calls last year, up from 382 in 2024 and 395 in 2023.
In Whitecourt, the most common reason for a call was alarms ringing, while in Woodlands County, motor vehicle collisions prompted the majority of calls.
Of the 433 calls received last year, the report notes 142 required a heavy response and calls for resources.
Additionally, members at the detachment committed a total of 12,317 hours in 2025, 4,206 of which were dedicated to emergency responses, 7,719 to training and preparation and 392 to public education. Reportedly, two fires at the old Whitecourt Regional Landfill site accounted for over 300 of those emergency response hours.
Looking ahead to 2026, the department says it will focus on operational excellence, firefighter safety, community risk reduction, and maintaining a high level of service.
During the same meeting on June 8, Whitecourt town council also received an update on its 2025 FireSmart Community Scorecard results.
Whitecourt’s overall score was an A-, an improvement from the B- received in 2024.
The town says the scorecard is a self-assessment tool that guides how communities can strengthen their resilience to wildfires through risk mitigation and emergency preparedness.
