CHENANGO COUNTY – One month after an amended county-wide fire mutual aid plan was approved by county legislatures, changes to the agreement have thus far proven favorable, according to Chenango County Fire Coordinator Matt Beckwith.

“We feel good that it’s working for everyone,” Beckwith said, citing incidents in recent weeks when local fire departments have received help they need quickly. “We went into this knowing it would be a huge learning curve because equipment and other assistance is making it to (fire) scenes faster than what anyone is used to.”

A fire mutual aid plan update was provided to the Chenango County Safety and Rules Committee last week. While the plan is still in the learning phase for many county fire coordinators and dispatchers, Beckwith said changes made to the document that were implemented at the beginning of the year have lowered response times and in some instances, saved homes.

“That was the goal,” he said. “To get resources to the scene as quickly as we can, save the house and save a life.”