Hornell Fire Department Provides 2023 Year-End Figures
From the City of Hornell, Firefighters Matthew McHale and Kelsey Brzozowski stand outside the Fire Academy in Montour Falls.
Chief Frank Brzozowski presented the Board of Public Safety with year-end reports for 2023 during the February 2024 meeting, highlighting the department’s Emergency Medical Service (EMS) calls in 2023.
“Our department provides Basic Life Support (BLS) services as well as Advanced Life Support (ALS) services. ALS service involves a paramedic and more intensive critical care to the patient in the ambulance,” explained Brzozowski. “In 2023, we responded to 4174 EMS calls, ranging from responding to a 911 call, providing ALS support to BLS teams, or providing interfacility transfers.”
Brzozowski explained interfacility transfers, further, noting that after bringing the patient to the local emergency room, some patients may require a higher level of care, necessitating transfers to tertiary care centers like Strong Memorial Hospital. Supporting patients during transfer is a significant duty of the Hornell Fire Department and a crucial component of providing emergency medical services in a rural area.
Leading the EMS calls for the department was Kelsey Brzozowski with 666 runs, followed by Captain Joel Guthrie with 454, and Matthew McHale with 438 to round out the top 3. Both Brzozowski and McHale are also are currently enrolled in the 14-week Fire Academy at Montour Falls.
“Our department spent a collective 5635 training hours this year. This training is critical to maintain our skills so we are prepared for any calls that may come in. Kudos to Captain Guthrie, who is our Municipal Training Officer (MTO), for his work with the training program and education. He does an outstanding job ensuring our department has completed all required training as well as any further training to keep our skills at a high level,” stated Brzozowski.
Mayor John Buckley commended the department, stating, “I can’t say enough about the exceptional service our Fire Department provides to this community and the Canisteo Valley. While an EMS crisis exists across New York State and the nation, here in Hornell, our department excels with its response, training, and efficiency. We are very fortunate to have employees with so much dedication, knowledge and professionalism. When you see year-end statistics like this, it really puts in perspective the commitment of the members of our department.”
