As winter approaches, the Chautauqua Fire Department reflects on the January 1961 Colonnade Fire at the Chautauqua Institution, which was one of the most major fires in area history. The fire started in a third-floor flat amid subzero temperatures, strong winds, and snow-covered roadways, soon overwhelming local personnel.

Frozen hydrants, delayed notice, and a lack of command staffing hindered early operations. With water supplies limited, firemen sliced through the ice on Chautauqua Lake and pumped water uphill using portable pumps, relay operations, and miles of hose. Mutual aid swelled to encompass 29 agencies, 44 apparatus, and over 300 firemen, making it the state's greatest coordinated response at the time. Despite extensive rescue efforts, one resident lost her life. The incident led to major improvements in mutual aid coordination and incident management, influencing response planning across New York State for decades. As winter conditions return, the department honors the firefighters who served then and those who continue to answer the call today.