In a remarkable display of efficiency and dedication, the Cheshire Volunteer Fire Department tackled a series of emergencies amid the devastating flooding that ravaged Canandaigua on Sunday. Within an hour the team responded to distress calls involving an electrocuted utility worker, hikers trapped by rising floodwaters, and a home foundation that had at least partially collapsed.
All told, there were 48 calls for service in a matter of hours within the town of Canandaigua. The Cheshire Volunteer Fire Department is located in the south-west end of the community.
Four calls stood out, as the Canandaigua area saw 5+ inches of rain fall in less than 3 hours.
The first came in at 4:29 p.m., according to CVFD, who were dispatched to a portion of County Road 16 for a utility worker who was electrocuted. As they arrived, the utility worker was conscious, breathing, and alert, before being transported to Strong Memorial Hospital.
Less than 10 minutes later, CVFD was dispatched to the area of Barnes Road and County Road 16 for a report of hikers trapped in rapidly rising water.
The victims didn’t have cell service and texted their location to the 911 center. Firefighters arrived, finding two-of-the-three hikers in the upper falls of Onanda Park.
That’s when Chief Chris Brown activated the Ontario County Rope Team and New York State Forest Rangers to assist with the rescue.
Rescuers were challenged with locating the third victim due to lack of cell services. However, after an extensive search – that individual was located.
Miraculously, all three sustained no injuries.
Then at 5:07 p.m. the department was dispatched to the area of West Avenue Extension and 5&20 for two occupants in a disabled vehicle, where water was rapidly rising around them. While both were able to extricate before first responders arrived – it spoke to the fluid nature of the situation rising water presents.
Around 20 minutes later, firefighters were dispatched to Parrish Street Extension for a…
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