MUSCATINE, Iowa — The Muscatine Fire Department (MFD) responded to a record number of calls for service in 2025, according to the department’s annual report.

MFD answered 5,930 calls for service during the year, averaging 16.2 calls per day. Emergency medical services accounted for 84.8 percent of all responses. The previous record was set in 2022 with 5,909 calls. The department handled 5,773 calls in 2023 and 5,513 in 2024.

December was the busiest month, with 500 calls for service. On average, MFD responded to 494 calls per month in 2025. Thursdays proved to be the busiest day of the week, with 905 runs, followed closely by Mondays with 890 runs during the calendar year.

“For all the advances and volume increases, what sits at the core of the fire department is the dedication of committed firefighters who strongly desire to make a difference in someone’s life and to be a positive catalyst in the community,” said Fire Chief Mike Hartman.

In addition to the record call volume, 2025 brought significant personnel changes. The department saw four retirements, including the longtime fire chief, two shift commanders, and a veteran firefighter. By year’s end, 11 personnel had assumed new roles in administrative and shift officer positions. The transitions also resulted in the largest number of new hires the department has seen in several years.

Training remains the department’s highest priority outside of emergency response. Firefighters and EMS personnel train regularly on fire suppression, medical emergencies, ambulance transports, motor vehicle accidents, hazardous materials incidents, and specialty rescues on land and water. In 2025, the department logged 6,269 hours of training.

Annual report highlights include:

• Fire-related calls increased compared to 2024. Responses included 38 structure fires, 11 trash fires, six vehicle fires, eight vegetation fires, and three cooking fires.
• EMS calls accounted for 5,028 of the department’s 5,930 total calls for service.
• MFD played a key role in securing and distributing mass casualty incident (MCI) kits to West Liberty Ambulance and Louisa County Ambulance, as well as obtaining a set for use in Muscatine.
• Calendar year 2025 was the busiest on record with 5,930 calls for service, a 7.5 percent increase over 2024 and a 6.1 percent increase over the five-year average. The past five years represent the highest call volumes in department history.

A PDF version of the Muscatine Fire Department’s 2025 annual report is available for viewing and download. Visit the city’s website or click on the link 2025 MFD Annual Report for more information.