The Canyon Lake Fire Department launched on January 1, 2022, with 11 sworn personnel, 15 reserve firefighters, and one administrative assistant/analyst. Photo by Canyon Lake Insider.The Canyon Lake Fire Department launched on January 1, 2022, with 11 sworn personnel, 15 reserve firefighters, an administrative assistant/analyst, one Type 1 fire engine, one Type 6 wildland fire engine, two command vehicles, one reserve engine, and three shifts comprised of a fire captain, fire engineer, and firefighter/paramedic.
The department recently released its first Annual Report, providing the community with an in-depth look at how the department performed during its first year of service.
During its first year of service, the Canyon Lake Fire Department responded to 825 rescue/EMS responses, 42 fire responses, 68 service calls, and 172 other incidents.
Battalion Chief Michael Samuels and Fire Chief Jeff LaTendresse. Photo provided by the City of Canyon Lake.The rescue/EMS responses included 759 medical, 59 traffic accidents, and 7 other incidents.
The fire responses included 22 structures, seven wildlands, five vehicles, and eight trash/other.
The service calls include 23 lift assists, three lockouts, eight persons in distress, and 34 other services.
The other incidents include 120 good intent, 11 hazardous conditions, and 41 false or not reported incidents.
The department’s turnout goal for EMS incidents is 1:45 minutes. The average turnout time was 1.14. The 90 percent fractile turnout time was 1:59 minutes.
The department’s travel time goal is 6.00 minutes. The average travel time was 4:51 minutes. The 90 percent fractile turnout time was 6:45 minutes.
The department’s response time goal is 7:45. The average response time was 5:40. The 90 percent fractile response time was 8:05 minutes.
Reserve firefighters provided a fourth person on the engine 76 percent (279 shifts) of the time.
Firefighters completed more than 3,400 training hours.
The department responded to 133 incidents outside of the City of Canyon Lake. Riverside County/Cal Fire responded to 130 incidents inside the City of Canyon Lake.
The department’s goals for 2023 include implementing a Low Angle Rope Rescue Program, training one firefighter to be a certified fire investigator, improving total response times, complete ARPA funded projects and renovations, expanding the city’s Emergency/Disaster Preparedness Program, increasing participation in the Reserve Firefighter Program, continuing to develop and enhancing the department’s Training Manual, putting all full-time firefighters through live fire training, and completing the Fire Suppression Rating Schedule.
The department’s goals are tied to the Canyon Lake City Council’s goals: community safety, expanding community outreach, and department operations.
The current Canyon Lake Fire Department team consists of Fire Chief Jeff LaTendresse, Ballalion Chief Michael Sanuels, A Shift Captain Brennain Gorter, A Shift Engineer Chico Sanchez, A Shift Firefighter Damon Myers, B Shift Captain Cory Willis, B Shift Engineer Matt Green, B Shift Firefighter Nate Smith, C Shift Captain Tim O’Marra, C Shift Engineer Nate Garcia, C Shift Firefighter Chris Bratt, and Executive Assistant/Analyst Brianna Hemsley.
To view the department’s full Annual Report, click here.
