Canandaigua Emergency Squad moves into larger, state-of-the art base

CANANDAIGUA — The first staff members who moved into the new, larger Canandaigua Emergency Squad barely had time to make themselves at home when they had to run out on a call.

Actually, the call came 20 minutes after moving the ambulances over to the new $3.5 million headquarters at 233 N. Pearl St. in Canandaigua on March 21. Crew members rushed out for a two-car crash with injuries.

It may be a brand new, state-of-the-art ambulance base, but it's the same story when it comes to life in the emergency services business: Be ready to go at a moment's notice, no matter what.

On Tuesday, members of the Canandaigua Emergency Squad, city and town of Canandaigua officials, first responders from several agencies and state representatives celebrated the official opening of the 13,000-square-foot base, construction on which started last May at the same location as the former base.

Full-time and per-diem staff and volunteers seem to be settling in well, according to Lt. David Hubble, who is a paramedic with CES. Some people really like the kitchen, some people really like the new lounges, and most enjoy having room, which the cramped, deteriorating former base could not offer.

“For our crews, it’s much more homey. They’re not bumping into each other everywhere they turn,” Hubble said. “Everybody seems to enjoy being there and being a part of this base.”

For more than 40 years, Canandaigua Emergency Squad has served the community out of what was the city's Department of Public Works building in the 1970s, said Chris O’Donnell, president of the ambulance's board of directors.

From then to now has been "quite the journey," O'Donnell said.

“We’ve grown from one ambulance crew to over 100 dedicated, hardworking staff and volunteers who would do anything for the safety and well-being of this community,” O’Donnell said. “And they do, 24/7/365.”

Chief Matt Sproul said Canandaigua Emergency Squad crews responded to 781 calls in 1971, the first year working out of the former facility. Last year, CES responded to 7,145 calls from the same location.

“We operated out of our old headquarters here at 233 North Pearl Street for 51 of the 81 years that we have been in service," Sproul said. “The need for a new facility was evident.”

The former building, which for a time this year was used by firefighters and law enforcement officers for training before its demolition, was not only cramped, but also deteriorating, with officials saying the amount of work that needed to be done would not have been cost effective.

No such problems now.

In fact, equipment and apparatus that had been stored outside before now has a spot indoors. More space means not only more room for the squad and its lifesaving tools, but also the community.

The new facility is better equipped to allow for larger training space and better access for first responders and addresses modern-day necessities, Sproul said.

The new state-of-the-art training center with meeting space can be used for CPR and automated external defibrillator, or AED, courses, among other community uses. Before, five or so people could take advantage of training at one time; now, anywhere from 20 to 40 people have the opportunity.

“That’s going to open up a lot of great opportunities for the community to learn some lifesaving skills,” Hubble said.

The 501(c)(3) nonprofit ambulance service receives no tax-based support and relies on donations and service billing. The ambulance service had been saving money for the time when a new home was needed, but is continuing to ask for the public’s support for this as well as to fund staff and equipment.

Looking back, Sproul said what the CES team has done over the years on this "fantastic adventure," particularly in recent years during the COVID-19 pandemic, is a reminder that CES is a "hometown volunteer ambulance service."

"The team we have is truly remarkable," Sproul said.

In recognition of the official opening, Canandaigua Mayor Bob Palumbo said May 24 was declared Canandaigua Emergency Squad Day.

The new building is an "amazing facility," he said.

"Definitely a big upgrade," Palumbo said, "and well-deserved."

A dedication

Two of the ambulance bays at the new Canandaigua Emergency Squad base are dedicated to Steve LaCrosse, who died last August in a motorcycle crash. LaCrosse was a board member, former volunteer and "someone very special to our Canandaigua Emergency Squad family,” O’Donnell said.

“He was truly a one-in-a-million person,” O’Donnell said.

Besides his work with CES, he was a member of St. Mary's Church and a golf member and board member at Canandaigua Country Club. He was a lieutenant with the Cheshire Volunteer Fire Department, and a former member of the Bristol Mountain Ski Patrol. He was active with the Canandaigua Academy booster clubs for lacrosse and football.

"Steve participated in everything," O'Donnell said. "He was always 100% in on everything he did."

Hubble said he was a great guy.

“We always looked at him as more than a board member for us; he was a great friend,” Hubble said.

More details

Canandaigua Emergency Squad Chief Matt Sproul has said it before and he’ll say it again: "I’m proud to say that our squad runs lean without sacrificing quality or the ability to care for patients, and we operate efficiently, at half the cost of the average ambulance squad when comparing similar service demographics.”

However, it’s getting harder for small volunteer ambulances to survive in today’s economy, Sproul said.

CES acknowledged gifts large and small from the community for the new base, including a $5,000 donation from Peter and Marion Swartz, $4,000 from Gail Flugel, $25,000 from Wegmans and $50,000 from the Sands Family Foundation.

"We are grateful for every gift and hope you’ll continue to support your local ambulance,” Sproul said.

To learn more about Canandaigua Emergency Squad or to make a donation, visit canandaiguaes.org.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Canandaigua Emergency Squad moves to larger headquarters