The Corning Volunteer Fire Department was founded in 1912 and relied on hose carts and fire hydrants for fire protection. In 1920, the department purchased its first motorozed fire engine: a 1920 Brockway, still in use today for parades and other community events. In 1939 a two-story, three bay facility was built on Fifth Street, one half block off the main street. Two bays were added in 1969. In 1990 a new dispatch center was added which includes offices and living quarters. Housed at the station are three Class A pumpers, two brush engines and a rescue squad.

The Department, which has an ISO rating of four, protects an area of five square miles, including a business district, two shopping centers and two large truck stops. The Corning Volunteer Fire Department, located at 814 Fifth Street, currently has 34 members: including two Paramedics, two Emergency Medical Technicians, and nineteen first responders, of which sixteen are certified to use the heart defibrillators.

There are also three full-time employees, the Fire Chief and two fire dispatchers who are trained and certified in Emergency Medical Dispatch.

Mission Statement

The services provided by the dispatch unit will be conducted in a professional and timely manner. All contact with the public will be positive and calm, whether in an emergency or non-emergency situation.

Work Schedule

Each shift will consist of twelve (12) hours, the first beginning at 7 a.m. and end at 7 p.m. The second shift will begin at 7 p.m. and end at 7 a.m. Each dispatcher will work three (3) consecutive twelve hour shifts for a total of 36 hours, with the following four (4) day off duty. At the beginning of the fifth day each dispatcher will report to work and work four consecutive 12 hour shifts for a total 48 hour, with the following three (3) days off duty. At the end of the three days the work cycle will start over.

At the end of six months, each shift will rotate, with the day shift personnel moving to the night shift and the night shift moving to the day shift.