Tensions are rising in the Fishers Fire District in Victor, where Assistant Chief Michael Koch issued a public statement warning that a proposal from the district’s fire commissioners could endanger lives and dismantle the current emergency response model.
This all comes after a plan was publicized to dissolve the department, which serves a large portion of the town of Victor.
In a release dated July 15, Koch sharply criticized the commissioners stating, “This decision is nothing other than reckless and is not about an allocation of resources, but rather a grievance.” He warned that if the board moves forward with plans to dissolve the current structure, the result could be slower, inadequate responses to emergencies throughout the district.
“For the past several weeks, I have been fearing the devastating impact that will be imposed upon our community if the fire commissioners take an action that will eliminate our current emergency response services,” Koch wrote. “A vote in favor of dissolution of the Fishers Fire District shows lack of transparency and abandonment of logic.”
Koch, a member of both the leadership team and the volunteer cadre, said that removing full-time career firefighters would compromise safety and strain surrounding departments. He said the 1,300-plus calls answered annually are urgent and require professional staffing.
While acknowledging the value of volunteer service, Koch emphasized that a volunteer-only model is not capable of delivering the reliable and immediate emergency coverage the community requires. “We will not be safer, we will be compromised,” he added.
The New York State Professional Fire Fighters Association (NYSPFFA) publicly supported Koch’s remarks in a statement shared on social media, calling his letter a courageous act of leadership. “Much admiration for stepping up and protecting the community by voicing your professional concerns,” the association said.
As of now, the commissioners have not issued a response to the assistant chief’s statement. The future of the Fishers Fire District remains uncertain as the community awaits a decision.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to [email protected].