08/07/2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Cannon Falls Emergency Response Partners Report Early Success of Medical Dispatch
Initiative
August 7, 2026
Serving the City of Cannon Falls, Cannon Falls Township, and portions of Leon, Douglas,
Randolph, Stanton, Warsaw, Hampton, and Vasa
320 Hoffman St W • Cannon Falls, MN 55009 • 507-263-7027 •
[email protected]
CANNON FALLS, Minn. – The Cannon Falls Fire Department, in partnership with the
Goodhue County Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP),Cannon Falls Ambulance, and
Cannon Falls Police Department, is reporting positive results following implementation of a
collaborative medical dispatch initiative on March 17, 2026.
The updated dispatch process helps ensure patients receive the appropriate emergency
response while reducing unnecessary fire department activations on lower-acuity medical
calls. Early data demonstrates improved operational efficiency while maintaining a high
standard of patient care. The initiative has helped conserve resources and improve
efficiency by utilizing full-time EMS and police responders when appropriate before a
volunteer fire department response is needed.
Key Results:
• 62% reduction in medical-only fire responses
• 30% reduction in overall fire department call volume
• Approximately 138 avoided fire department responses
• No identified negative impact on patient care
The initiative allows volunteer firefighters to remain available at home or work, ready for
incidents requiring specialized skills, equipment, or manpower, while ensuring critical
emergencies continue to receive a full response. Residents should continue calling 911
whenever an emergency occurs. Cardiac arrests, serious trauma, fires, rescues, hazardous
situations, and other life-threatening events continue to receive a full emergency response.
The Cannon Falls Fire Department is a volunteer/paid on-call organization providing fire
suppression, rescue, hazardous materials response, and emergency medical support
throughout Cannon Falls and the surrounding service area.
MEDIA CONTACT
Brice Miller, Fire Chief
Cannon Falls Fire Department
507-263-2278
[email protected]
