Gates Firefighters IAFF Local 3792

The Gates Fire District is a combination fire department that operates three fire stations serving more than 19.9 square miles comprised of all of the Town of Gates and a part of the Town of Chili. We border the west side of the City of Rochester and protect a population of roughly 32,000 people. Our district is heavily developed and contains large industrial complexes, including the Rochester Technology Park, refineries and oil storage, schools, nursing homes, rail lines and more miles of expressway than any other fire district in Monroe County.

Our district also surrounds the Greater Rochester International Airport and borders both the Genesee River and the Erie Canal. Station 1 on Chili Avenue is staffed 24 hours a day with Career Firefighters and a Career Dispatcher. Station 2 is north of Lyell Ave. on Long Pond Rd. Station 3 on Coldwater Road is staffed 24 hours a day by Career Firefighters. The firefighters and dispatchers of Local 3792 share a long association with the Gates Fire District. In the 1970’s, the first full time employees worked primarily as dispatchers and were called “laborers”. During this time, the call volume of the department increased while the population of the area began a steady growth. In 1985, the laborers actually began responding to fires and other incidents as firefighters while the number of volunteer firefighters began a slow and steady decline, and as the call volume continued to increase.

In 1989, the laborers were officially indoctrinated into the civil service system, and their job titles became “firefighters”. On September 24, 1997, the firefighters and dispatchers of the Gates Fire District were inducted into the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF). This was considered a major step in protecting the working conditions, benefits and welfare of the members and their families. By 1996, the number of civil service firefighters grew to 8, along with two dispatchers who were also granted civil service status. During this time, the members established themselves as a vital part of the Gates Fire District as professional firefighters and dispatchers.

Today, there are 28 professional firefighters along with two professional dispatchers providing 24 -7 coverage to the citizens of the town of Gates and a portion of Chili!