Tempers flared at meetings, firefighters warned of delays, and residents packed auditoriums. Now, the Fishers Fire District is officially set to shut down on Oct. 1—and the Town of Victor is racing to rebuild a new system around its ashes.
The district’s dissolution follows a heated summer of public pushback, unanswered questions, and a final vote that left many stunned. But Victor leaders say they’re ready.
This week, town officials released a detailed transition plan, laying out how fire and EMS coverage will continue without interruption once the Fishers Fire District ceases operations. The new model will rely on multiple regional partners, emergency contracts, and a task force to oversee day-to-day performance.
A controversial ending to a long fight
The debate erupted in July when Assistant Chief Michael Koch slammed the board’s dissolution proposal in a public letter. He warned the decision would “dismantle a professional emergency response system” that fields more than 1,300 calls annually. He argued that a volunteer-only model couldn’t keep up, and demanded the board resign.
Soon after, a packed hearing drew sharp criticism from residents and local leaders, including Victor Town Supervisor Jack Marren. Residents questioned the need to scrap a district that had no debt and a solid reserve fund. Some warned response times could jump by 10 minutes if the district vanished.
Still, the five-member Board of Fire Commissioners pushed ahead. They voted Monday night to dissolve the district, effective Oct. 1. Boos rang out from the crowd at Victor High School.
Board members blamed future costs, especially healthcare and retirement benefits, warning the current system would eventually strain taxpayers. They emphasized that the district was financially healthy now—but claimed the long-term outlook was unsustainable.
What happens next?
Under the new plan, fire protection and EMS services will be delivered by a regional network that includes:
- Victor Fire District
- Bushnell’s Basin Fire Department
- Henrietta Fire District
- Fishers Volunteer Fire Association
- Farmington Volunteer Fire Association
- Victor-Farmington Ambulance
A newly created Transition Task Force will oversee operations, track response times, and adjust protocols as needed. It includes members from the Victor Town Board, participating departments, and town legal and financial staff.
“We’re committed to uninterrupted emergency coverage,” the plan states. “The safety and wellbeing of residents remains the top priority.”
Will response times change?
Officials say they’re trying to keep them the same—or close.
The Ontario County 911 Center will dispatch the closest available unit, regardless of municipal boundaries. Town leaders admit some calls could take slightly longer, but say the system will be continuously monitored and adjusted.
To boost readiness, the Victor-Farmington Ambulance will now staff a unit at 380 High Street daily from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Fire departments may use existing Fishers stations to house equipment, though decisions about property transfers are still being worked out with the state comptroller.
What happens to the firefighters?
That’s still unclear.
While some Fishers firefighters may join partner agencies, others face job loss. The Fishers Volunteer Fire Association is in talks with the town about what role—if any—they’ll play going forward.
For residents, the change also brings uncertainty about taxes. The Fishers Fire District levy will disappear, but Victor will create a new fire protection budget to cover contracts. Officials say tax impacts will be shared during the annual budget process.
New fire zones, new rules
Victor plans to create two new “fire protection districts” to replace the one being dissolved. Those districts will be served under formal agreements with outside departments. Mutual aid and automatic response protocols will help fill in any gaps.
All coverage maps, 911 dispatch systems, and response boxes are being updated ahead of the transition. A public hearing on the new districts is set for Sept. 8.
A regional model, not just a patchwork
Officials say the new system isn’t just a band-aid. It’s a long-term plan for regional cooperation. By working with neighboring departments, Victor hopes to create a more flexible response system that sends the closest and best-equipped unit—regardless of town lines.
That’s the goal, anyway.
But some residents remain skeptical, saying the plan feels rushed and lacks a clear long-term staffing model. Others are worried about the loss of institutional knowledge and the ripple effects on local insurance ratings.
Want to learn more?
A public information meeting is also scheduled for Sept. 8 at 6 p.m., where town officials will walk residents through the new system. In the meantime, updates will be posted on the Town of Victor website, and questions can be sent to fireprotection@townofvictorny.gov.
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