A number of suburban fire departments were called in to help fight the Family Dollar fire Monday as part of a countywide mutual aid plan. Some say it is also a sign the Rochester Fire Department is spread too thin.

It's something you don’t see a lot – firefighters from Webster and other suburbs lending a hand to the Rochester Fire Department.

"Right now we have four or five suburban fire departments helping out for what is essentially a strip mall fire," said Rochester Firefighters Local 1071 President Jim McTiernan.

McTiernan said it shows just how thin the department is spread.

"To characterize that as that the impact of this fire, the effect of this fire is heightened because we did not have enough firefighters, it is not at all proper," said Rochester Fire Chief John Caufield.

Caufield said fires like this are why the city partners with the other fire departments of Monroe County.

"On an average suburban departments fill in the city about 35 times a year," said Monroe County Fire Coordinator Sam DeRosa.

DeRosa said most of those are small, meaning two or three suburban trucks coming in to cover Rochester fire stations.

It was a much larger effort for the Family Dollar fire, with 17 departments lending a hand. For example, Webster and West Webster sent trucks and firefighters right to the scene. Hilton sent units to cover the town of Gates, which had sent trucks and firefighters to cover a station in Rochester.

"This is rare, but this is how the plan is designed to work," DeRosa added.

Caufield said the plan did work Monday.

"I understand what the union president's concern is," said Caufield. "Certainly we want to maintain an adequate firefighting staff. That's what I'm saying is that this community is very well protected."

McTiernan isn't so sure, and worries about the future.

"This is a time when the city budget people are trying to discuss cuts," said McTiernan. "Right now the real serious question has to be asked with these companies tied up here where's the rest of the protection."

Caufield said a fire of Monday's size is extremely rare. He said he hasn't seen very many like this in his 24-year career.