Fire chief reports higher October call volume, announces sandbags and storm preparations

Canyon Lake — Fire Chief Jeff Latendres reported the department responded to about 104–105 calls in October and provided breakdowns of incident types, year-to-date totals and response-time statistics.

Latendres said turnout and travel times were being monitored and that 90th-percentile response metrics (used for performance evaluation) were higher than median averages. He also noted the department answered multiple mutual-aid calls during a Riverside-area incident in late October and said the department’s reserves were valuable for community events.

In a public-comment update later in the meeting, Latendres said the National Weather Service now projects more than 2 inches of rain for the area starting Thursday evening and that the fire station had sand and sandbags available for Canyon Lake residents. “They will have to fill their own sandbags. If anybody has any needs and need assistance, please knock on the door,” he said.

Councilmembers thanked the chief and noted recent reserve-hire activity had brought six new reserve firefighters into the pool.

What happens next: Residents may pick up sand and sandbags at the fire station; staff and the council will monitor response-time improvements and staffing levels.