Chautauqua Fire Department

05/25/2026

04/18/2026

Today’s the day! Stop by our Open House anytime between 10 AM and 2 PM.

Come say hello, meet your local firefighters and EMTs, and take a look around the station.

📍 2 Royal Way, Chautauqua, NY

Bring the kids, or just stop in to connect or ask a question — we’d love to see you.

Quick reminders:
• Enter through the front door on Massey Ave or by the truck bay doors (the building is built like a circle, so if you don’t see us right away, keep going and you’ll find us in the dining hall and members’ room)
• Please park in a parking spot (it’s ok if it’s in our lot and says “reserved for EMS” or along Massey Ave
• Do not park on Royal Way in front of the truck bays

See you soon!

04/16/2026

Just a reminder: our Open House is this Saturday!

We’re looking forward to welcoming the community into the Chautauqua Fire Department for a relaxed, behind-the-scenes look at what we do. Whether you’re stopping by out of curiosity, bringing the kids, or interested in volunteering, you’re invited.

Also, if you know of someone who’s been thinking about volunteering, let them know this a great chance to stop in and ask questions. We have various roles to fit different abilities and schedules, and all of our training is provided in-house — no previous experience is needed.

🗓 Saturday, April 18
⏰ 10 AM – 2 PM
📍 2 Royal Way, Chautauqua, NY 14722

Come meet our firefighters and EMTs, tour the station, see the trucks up close, and ask any questions you’ve been curious about. We’ll also have coffee, homemade cookies and some educational materials for kids.

Parking & entry info:
• Enter through the front door on Massey Ave or by the truck bay doors
• Please park in a designated parking spot or along Massey Ave
• Do not park on Royal Way in front of the truck bays

Hope to see you there!

04/12/2026

Have you ever wanted to meet your local firefighters and EMTs? Curious what it’s like behind the bay doors, or even thought about volunteering?

Join us for our Open House next Saturday, April 18 from 10 AM–2 PM!

Whether you’re a neighbor, a family looking for something fun to do, or someone interested in getting involved, we’d love to see you. Stop by to:
• Tour the station and check out the trucks
• Meet your local firefighters and EMS volunteers
• Ask questions about what we do and how to get involved
• Enjoy coffee and pick up kid-friendly safety and educational materials

It’s a great chance to connect, learn, and spend some time together as a community. We’re looking forward to opening our doors and seeing you there!

📍Chautauqua Fire Department, 2 Royal Way, Chautauqua, NY 14722

Enter throughout the front door on Massey Ave or by the truck bay doors.
Please park in a parking spot or on Massey, do not park on Royal Way in front of the truck bays. Thanks!

04/06/2026

This morning at 7:30 AM we were dispatched to aid North Lake Fire Department for a chimney fire on Beaujean Rd. There were no reported injuries and the fire was successfully under control with some mutual aid released by 9:15 AM.
Mutual Aid also included Sherman (Stanley Hose Company), Westfield, the Battalion 2 coordinator, and County Fire 1.

Working together to successfully resolve emergencies like this takes skill, and it is very rewarding working as a team for the benefit of our community. Our fire departments across the county are raising awareness this month that we are all in need of more volunteers. If you see red porch lights out next week, that’s why!
No experience is needed (training is provided) and there are various roles to fit different interests and schedules. If you (or someone you know) is interested, or you just want to know more, contact us on our websites shared in the comments below.

Also, consider joining us for our fire hall open house April 18th!
From 10 AM to 2 PM some of our EMS volunteers will be enjoying coffee and up for answering questions, giving tours, and welcoming families to check out the trucks. Stop in and say hello!

03/26/2026

With a low fog on the lake and light rain, we recently had a beautiful night training at Prendergast Point.

During this drill, our crew practiced drafting from a dry hydrant, pump operation and flowing water through the ladder truck’s deck gun. It takes coordination, communication, and trust — each person playing a role to get water moving efficiently from the lake to the trucks and out onto the fire.

It’s really satisfying working with this kind of equipment as a team and seeing it all come together, especially in conditions like this. It’s how we build the skills and confidence to be ready when our community needs us.

Our department is made up of neighbors who show up for each other, and we’re looking for more people to be part of it.

If you’ve ever been curious, join us for our Open House on Saturday, April 18 from 10 AM–2 PM. Come meet the crew, check out the trucks, and see what it’s all about.

📍 Everyone is welcome.
2 Royal Way, Chautauqua, NY 14722

02/18/2026

Last Saturday night, the dedication of our volunteers to ice rescue training made a life-saving difference.

At 8:51 PM our department was dispatched for a report of a person who swam through the water after a snowmobile fell through the ice. Despite the darkness and freezing conditions, the individual was able to stay above water and swim to shore, becoming stranded on a wooded peninsula. Their wet cell phone died shortly after placing the 911 call.

The rider later told responders they had become disoriented on the lake at night and headed toward what they thought was the right direction. A visible light at Snug Harbor Marina appeared to offer direction, but instead drew them toward an area of water flow where ice is often thinner and more dangerous. The snowmobile broke through and sank, forcing the operator into the frigid water.

Thanks to comprehensive training, our crews confidently deployed the MARSARS ice rescue sled and rope system while operating in specially designed Mustang cold-water suits, allowing them to safely reach the stranded individual across the waterway.

Ice conditions can change quickly, especially near areas of current or canals. Traveling on the frozen lake at night significantly increases risk, even for experienced riders. We encourage everyone to use extreme caution and be aware of changing ice conditions. Local and state snowmobiling guides can also prepare you to avoid high-risk situations and know what to do if you find yourself in an emergency.

This successful rescue reflects the commitment our volunteers make to ongoing training throughout the winter season. That preparation is strengthened through Chautauqua County’s mutual aid system, where fire departments and the Office of Emergency Services work together to host joint trainings, including the annual Big Dip cold water rescue training at Long Point and state-run courses. We also appreciate the support of North Lake Fire Department at this incident.

We are grateful for the safe outcome and to all who responded to assist. Incidents like this serve as an important reminder that preparation for both responders and the public can make a difference.

01/23/2026

As we head into a winter storm this weekend, imagine similar conditions for our volunteer firefighters battling the January 1961 Colonnade Fire at Chautauqua Institution.

That morning, temperatures were reported as low as –12°F, with a steady westerly wind and snow-covered roads. What began as a fire in a third-floor apartment quickly escalated beyond the capacity of our local department. Frozen hydrants, delayed notification, and command challenges compounded the situation in the earliest moments of the incident. The Chief at the time, Norman Becker, was away for the weekend. As First Asst. Chief Spencer Shaw responded to the siren around 5:44 AM, he was not yet aware he’d be in charge of the incident.

Despite those obstacles, firefighters adapted. 65 years ago, this was the largest mutual aid system ever mobilized in the state at the time. The incident involved 29 fire departments, 44 firefighting vehicles, and over 300 firefighters. Water supply became one of the greatest challenges. With limited hydrants due to freezing, crews broke through ice on Chautauqua Lake and pumped water uphill, using 15 portable pumps, six relays, and four miles of 2½-inch hose.

Rescue efforts were complicated and heartbreaking. While all residents initially escaped, they discovered Adda Wright re-entered the building to retrieve something from her apartment, and rescue became the primary objective. She perished in the fire, a loss deeply felt by firefighters and the winter Chautauqua community.

As the fire spread across the massive structure and much of it remained beyond reach, due to the impervious tile roof and limited aerial access, assistance arrived from across the county. Dunkirk Fire Chief Don Loeb, and driver Anthony Pokoj, responded with a 75-foot aerial ladder truck, traveling miles along Lake Erie in sub-zero conditions to provide critical interior access. As firefighters worked the scene, a medical unit, comprised of responders from Bemus Point, Maple Springs and Westfield, monitored firefighters suffering from frostbite, smoke inhalation, and exhaustion.

Seven hours into the incident, equipment was finally released. Architect E.B. Green’s fire-resistant design helped prevent total collapse. What remained was not only a standing building, but a turning point in fire service history. Lessons learned that day led Chief Loeb and county coordinators to develop a more sophisticated mutual aid and incident management plan. Their model would later be used as a prototype for other counties across New York State into the 1960s and 70s.

As winter weather approaches this weekend, we remember this legacy and honor the volunteer firefighters who answered the call then, and those who continue to do so today.

01/12/2026

🚑 ⚠️Community Advisory: Regional EMS & Hospital Capacity Update (WNY)

We want to share an important update affecting emergency medical services across Western New York, including rural communities like ours.

Hospitals throughout the region are currently operating at or beyond capacity. Emergency departments are seeing very high numbers of seriously ill patients, leading to long wait times and, in some cases, extended delays for ambulances to transfer patients into hospital care. When ambulances are delayed at hospitals, they are temporarily unavailable to respond to new 911 calls, placing added strain on the EMS system.

This is not a short-term surge and is expected to continue for several weeks.
Elevated influenza and other respiratory illnesses are a major contributor.

What this means locally:
• Longer wait times at hospital emergency departments
• EMS units may be tied up longer than usual
• Mutual aid between volunteer agencies may be used more frequently

How our community can help:
• Use urgent care, primary care, or telehealth for illnesses or injuries that are not life-threatening
• Save 911 for true emergencies, so ambulances are available when seconds matter
• Follow NYS DOH and CDC guidance for respiratory illness prevention
• Stay home when sick when possible, and consider masking if you must be out
• Plan ahead for medications, groceries, and essentials to be prepared before you become ill

If you’re unsure whether to call 911, please do call.
Especially seek emergency care for dangerous signs of respiratory illness, including:
• Trouble breathing or shortness of breath
• Bluish or gray lips or fingertips
• Chest pain or pressure
• High fever with confusion, weakness, or dehydration
• Severe or worsening cough, especially in older adults
• Symptoms that are rapidly getting worse

Our volunteer EMS providers are still responding to emergencies and remain committed to caring for our neighbors. Thoughtful use of emergency services helps ensure that help is available when it’s truly needed for everyone in our community.

Thank you for supporting your local volunteer fire departments.

01/05/2026

Your Christmas tree becomes a serious fire hazard once dry. Dispose of it quickly after it has stopped taking water and avoid leaving it up against your siding, porch, or garage. 🎄🔥⚠️

The holidays are winding down, but many of us are still hanging onto our Christmas trees, sometimes a little longer than we should, and could become a fire hazard.