Study says city can’t fight structure fires alone, EMS stretched by transport demands
A new public safety assessment says Canandaigua’s fire department, ambulance squad and county 911 center are delivering professional service but face structural weaknesses that could compromise future emergency response.
The 200-page review, prepared by the Center for Public Safety Management, outlines problems ranging from slow turnout times to staffing shortfalls, and urges the city to consider a regional fire service model.
Fire department: Trained but undermanned
The report praises Canandaigua’s firefighters for exceeding New York’s training standards and maintaining a modern fleet, but notes a stark operational reality: the city cannot assemble a sufficient “effective response force” for anything larger than a shed fire without heavy mutual aid.
NFPA standards call for simultaneous “critical tasks” at major fires. CPSM found Canandaigua’s four-person crews can’t meet that benchmark on their own. Recommendations include gradually boosting minimum shift staffing from four to at least seven, and ultimately nine, through phased hiring and potential FEMA SAFER grants.
Turnout times — how long crews take to leave the station — are also lagging. Fire crews averaged 1.6 to 1.8 minutes, well above the national 80-second standard. EMS turnout was worse at 2.3 minutes, more than double the 60-second goal.
EMS: Resilient but vulnerable
The Canandaigua Emergency Squad (CES) runs three ALS ambulances daily and can surge with per-diem and volunteer staff. But CPSM says the dual burden of 911 calls and interfacility transfers is eroding resiliency.
Over a three-year period, 70% of CES calls required transport, with average runs lasting 64 minutes. Interfacility trips made up about 30% of all calls, peaking at the same time as city 911 volume.
The report highlights vulnerabilities: no formal performance agreement with the city, limited data sharing, and no standardized quality assurance between CES and the fire department. CPSM suggests a dedicated transfer unit, shared clinical protocols, and a service-level agreement that sets clear benchmarks.
911 center: Busy, but could move faster
Ontario County’s 911 center handles an average of 402 incoming calls per day and dispatches about 303. While the center is deemed capable, CPSM points to dispatch times as a drag on overall response. It recommends aligning call processing with NFPA 1225 standards and exploring a nurse-navigation program to steer low-acuity patients toward urgent care, telehealth or self-care.
Planning for growth
The study stresses that Canandaigua’s modest but steady growth — particularly in the town — will drive future demand. New multifamily projects and a rising senior population increase both fire and EMS risk. The report urges proactive staffing, facility planning, and more robust community risk reduction programs.
Regional approach urged
The most sweeping recommendation is for Canandaigua to explore forming a joint regional fire department with the town and potentially other partners. CPSM argues a consolidated agency would pool resources, reduce reliance on mutual aid, and create a more sustainable model.
Bottom line
CPSM concludes that Canandaigua’s public safety agencies are staffed by dedicated professionals who deliver quality service, but warns that current models are not built for long-term resiliency. Without new staffing, clearer agreements, and faster dispatch, the city risks falling behind rising demand.
Or, as the report itself puts it: “Overall, these agencies provide quality fire, EMS, and emergency communications services. But a single high-risk call involving a vulnerable population can quickly overwhelm the system.”
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