The planned closure of Quimby’s Bridge will significantly increase emergency response times for Jordan firefighters serving the town of Cato, prompting changes to how departments are dispatched, according to Jordan Volunteer Fire Company Chief Stephen Bryant.
In a Sept. 26 notice to residents in the department’s Cato coverage area, Bryant said firefighters learned the previous afternoon that the state Department of Transportation would completely close the bridge.
The announcement followed a sharp reduction in the bridge’s weight limit. Bryant said a resident alerted the department Thursday morning, Sept. 24, that the limit had dropped from 50 tons to 4 tons.
Firefighters began adjusting their operations after learning about the restriction. The anticipated full closure presents additional challenges.
“With this closure, it increases our response times immensely,” Bryant wrote.
The department is working with the Cayuga County 911 center to make emergency changes to automatic mutual aid assignments, which determine how other fire departments are dispatched to assist.
Bryant said the Cayuga County Office of Emergency Services has also been informed in case county resources need to be relocated. He has discussed the situation with the town supervisor and neighboring mutual aid departments.
The fire company is monitoring conditions daily and continuing to adjust its operations to limit delays.
“We will continue to make the proper adjustments as needed to serve you,” Bryant wrote.
The notice did not specify when the full closure would begin, how long it would last, a detour route or the reason for the weight reduction. It also did not estimate how many additional minutes emergency responses could take.
Residents with questions or concerns can contact Bryant at 315-689-3923 or chief@jordan-fire.com.
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