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Utility Emergency

Low Hanging Wires Reported Across Roadway

Town of Watertown Fire was dispatched for low hanging wires across the roadway in the Town of Watertown area. The call was reported near Bob Johnson on US Route 11.

Closed Apr 5, 2026 u{002227} 12:20 AM Town of Watertown Fire
18712 US-11, Watertown, NY 13601 · Near Watertown Center Loop Road and Gillette Road

Incident Report

Town of Watertown Fire responded early Monday to a utility emergency on US Route 11 in Watertown after low-hanging wires were reported across the roadway near 18712 US-11, in the area of Bob Johnson. The incident began at 12:20 a.m. and remained active for about 101 minutes before being cleared at 2:01 a.m.

After crews were dispatched, responders determined the hazard involved a private light pole at Bob Johnson’s old location that was hanging on phone and cable lines. Fire units established traffic control on Route 11, shifting southbound traffic to the far right lane to keep vehicles moving safely around the scene. A Town of Watertown Fire unit arrived on scene shortly after, while dispatch worked to obtain a response time from Spectrum.

Spectrum later advised it was responding with an estimated 20-minute arrival, and a utility crew ultimately reached the scene at 1:52 a.m. By 2:01 a.m., the pole had been removed from the wires. Verizon was expected to handle follow-up fiber line repairs, but no immediate response was needed, and the incident was cleared.

Dispatch Audio

Initial 12:20:18 AM

Low Hanging Wires Reported Across Roadway

View Transcript
Town of Watertown fire 18712 USR 11 Bob Johnson, low hanging wires across the way roadway. Town of Watertown fire 18712. USR11 Bob Johnson. Low hanging wires across the roadway. Cross Street is Watertown Center Loop Road and Gillette Road.

Town of Watertown Fire

Location

Incident Timeline (8 events)

1
Low Hanging Wires Reported Across Roadway 12:20:18 AM

Town of Watertown Fire was dispatched for low hanging wires across the roadway in the Town of Watertown area. The call was reported near Bob Johnson on US Route 11.

Town of Watertown fire 18712 USR 11 Bob Johnson, low hanging wires across the way roadway. Town of Watertown fire 18712. USR11 Bob Johnson. Low hanging wires across the roadway. Cross Street is Watertown Center Loop Road and Gillette Road.
2
Private pole hanging on comm lines 12:32:07 AM

46-0-2 reports the low-hanging wires are from a private light pole at Bob Johnson's old location, hanging on phone and cable lines. Spectrum or Verizon is needed to remove it.

12:32:07 AM JE 46-0-2 It's going to be a private light pole from Bob Johnson's at their old location and it's hanging on the phone and cable wires. Going to need somebody from Spectrum or Verizon here to remove it.
3
Traffic being shifted on Route 11 12:34:44 AM

Units are setting traffic control on Route 11, with southbound vehicles being shifted to the far right lane.

12:34:28 AM JE 46-0-2 0-2 to 0-4-0 or 1-1.
12:34:31 AM JE 46-P40 4-1-1.
12:34:44 AM JE 46-0-2 Yeah, Phil, when you get here, I want you in the middle lane. We're going to have to push the vehicles going south on 11 to the far right.
12:34:50 AM JE 46-P40 Thank you for the lesson.
4
46-1-1 arrives on scene 12:36:36 AM

46-1-1 arrived on scene for the low wires call.

12:36:33 AM JE 46-1-1 Do you have some Percy-21 on the right?
12:36:36 AM JE Dispatch 4611, arrive 0036.
12:36:58 AM JE Dispatch Jefferson to 4-D-6-0-2.
12:37:02 AM JE 46-0-2 P 4-D-6-0-2.
12:37:06 AM JE Dispatch Spectrum Advise will be recontacting with an ETA momentarily.
12:37:09 AM JE 46-0-2 P Thank you.
5
Utility ETA pending from Spectrum 12:37:06 AM

Dispatch advised Spectrum will be recontacting with an ETA.

12:36:33 AM JE 46-1-1 Do you have some Percy-21 on the right?
12:36:36 AM JE Dispatch 4611, arrive 0036.
12:36:58 AM JE Dispatch Jefferson to 4-D-6-0-2.
12:37:02 AM JE 46-0-2 P 4-D-6-0-2.
12:37:06 AM JE Dispatch Spectrum Advise will be recontacting with an ETA momentarily.
12:37:09 AM JE 46-0-2 P Thank you.
6
Spectrum responding for wire hazard 12:52:21 AM

Spectrum is responding to the low wires incident with an estimated 20-minute ETA.

12:51:59 AM JE Dispatch mansville fire mutual aid sandy creek fire 147 skinner road requesting mansville one engine and one tanker repeating mansville fire structure fire 147 skinner road requesting one engine one tanker sandy creek cross of wood road
12:52:09 AM JE Dispatch Jefferson Fire to Town of Watertown command.
12:52:13 AM JE 46-0-2 P You're on the water column. Command on.
12:52:21 AM JE Dispatch 10 Watertown Command, Spectrum responding, 20 minute ETA, 2-0 ETA.
12:52:26 AM JE 46-0-2 P Appreciate it. Thank you.
7
Utility crew arrives on scene 1:52:22 AM

Utility company is now on scene for the low wires call.

1:52:22 AM JE 46-0-2 Jefferson Town and Watertown Command, show spectrum finally on scene.
1:52:27 AM JE Dispatch Thanks, Patrick. On scene, 152.
8
Pole removed; Verizon repair pending 2:01:32 AM

Utility pole has been removed from the wires. Verizon will need to repair fiber lines, but no immediate response is needed.

2:01:17 AM JE 46-0-2 Jeff, Fire Town and Water Town Command.
2:01:20 AM JE Dispatch Channel water, time to commence.
2:01:32 AM JE 46-0-2 Be advised that the pole has been removed from the wires. Verizon will have to come out and repair the fiber optic lines.
2:01:45 AM JE Dispatch Copy. Is that an immediate response for Verizon?
2:01:55 AM JE 46-0-2 That's a negative. They're still attached. They just need to lift them up a little more.
2:01:58 AM JE Dispatch Copy.
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