The Canandaigua Fire Department’s union, I.A.F.F. Local 2098, is spotlighting staffing concerns after a fatal fire over the weekend.
In a Facebook post, the union questioned, “When will the City Council and the City Manager listen to our pleas to properly staff the department to make the safety of our citizens and visitors a reality?” The post highlighted that four firefighters were tasked with searching for a trapped victim while simultaneously battling the fire on Jefferson Avenue.
City Manager John Goodwin responded with the following statement:
“First and foremost, our thoughts and prayers are with the family that is grieving the loss of a family member and recovering from this tragic incident. In regard to the Fire Union’s post, the City and the Town of Canandaigua commissioned an independent study of our fire operations. This study was published in July 2018 entitled “Fire Operational and Analysis Report” completed by the Center for Public Safety Management.”
“This independent study included 26 recommendations, including a recommendation of the optimum daily career staffing of the Canandaigua Fire Department. This recommendation stated that the ‘optimum daily career staffing of the Canandaigua Fire Department is four personnel.’ Since the time of this study being published, the City doubled the staffing level of the Fire Department and maintains the recommended four (4) firefighters on duty 24/7.”
The Saturday morning fire claimed the life of 98-year-old Saverio Campagna. His wife and daughter were able to escape the blaze and were treated for smoke inhalation at Thompson Hospital. The cause of the fire has been deemed accidental but no additional details were released by the Canandaigua Fire Department.
Have all the Finger Lakes news from Finger Lakes News Radio delivered to your email every morning for FREE! Sign up by clicking here
