Safety & Emergency Services

Emergency Services

We hope that everyone who enjoys Friends Lake will use care. We also understand that emergency situations occur: 

Power Outages: National Grid

Fire – The Town of Chester Volunteer Fire Department:
Call 911 for emergencies or (518) 494-2662 for non-emergencies.  

Medical Emergencies
Call 911. The Town of Chester does maintain an emergency response vehicle.  

Urgent Care is available without an appointment, for health concerns that arise suddenly, but are not life-threatening, you can walk-in to the local urgent care center. Urgent Care is not intended for life-threatening situations. If you have any questions as to the severity of an injury or illness, please call 911 immediately. While the Urgent Care Center is open 7 days a week, it has limited operating hours (it is not open 24 hours a day).

Hudson Headwaters Health Network: Warrensburg Health Center
3767 Main Street, Warrensburg, NY 12885
Phone: (518) 623-2844

Fire Safety

  • Please install smoke detectors in your property and keep sufficient up to date fire extinguishers on hand. 
  • Camp fires are a potential danger if not carefully watched. Please do not leave them unattended.
  • Be sure they’re completely extinguished before leaving the area.

See NYS Department of Environmental Conservation’s page regarding fire safety and rules for burning.

Water and Boating Safety

These safety guidelines are designed to create an environment for safe and courteous use of the lake that will ensure maximum enjoyment for all. Persons using the lake are asked to be respectful of the rights of others and adhere to common sense rules of courtesy.

Keep a close watch on children and pets playing in and around the lake. Follow NYS laws regarding the use of Personal Floatation Devices and boating safety.

Properly dispose of fishing line, hooks, and tackle so as not to endanger people or wildlife. There are fishing line recycling containers at multiple association beaches around the lake. Please ask, and we’ll tell you where you can bring yours!

Any activity requiring the use of motor boats at high speeds, including water skiing and tubing, should be limited to periods after 8 am and before sunset.

Motorboats should not be operated at speeds in excess of 40 mph, so as not to endanger others.

The launch and return route of a boat to its dock should not infringe upon the rights of neighbors. Skiers approaching the slalom course should wait outside the course at minimum wake until those using the course have left.

Follow all New York State and local (Warren County and Town of Chester) laws and rules and regulations which include:

  • Every pleasure boat must have a personal flotation device for each person on-board.  Children under 12 years of age must wear a PFD while onboard.
  • No one may operate a boat on the waters of New York State while intoxicated or impaired by alcohol or any other substance.
  • All motorboats must be registered with the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles.
  • Use of personal watercraft (Jet Ski) is prohibited by Town of Chester ordinance.
  • Recreational boats must display required navigation lights between sunset and sunrise.
  • As of January 1, 2020, all boat operators are required to carry a NYS boating safety certificate. This law is being phased in by age. Check website for more information:  
  • Non-motorized boats have the right of way at all times.  All motorboats must yield right of way to sailboats, boats engaged in fishing, canoes, kayaks, wind surfers, paddle boats, paddleboards, and swimmers.
  • New York State Law prohibits speeds in excess of 5 mph (no wake) when within 100 feet of a raft, dock, sailboat, canoe, kayak, anchored boat, and the lake shoreline.  The boat operator is responsible for damages caused by the boat’s wake, including shore line, boats, rafts, and docks.
  • Boats towing a water skier, tube, or other similar device must have on-board an observer (spotter) who is watching for the person(s) being towed. The observer must be at least 10 years of age.
  • A cover boat must accompany all persons swimming more than 100 feet from shore. Scuba divers should have a partner, marker buoy, and required flags.
  • Swim floats and moorings must be kept within 50 feet of shore.

When the Lake is Frozen

  • Always check the ice depth before venturing on the ice, since over the past few years the number of bubblers in use on the Lake has increased.
  • Warn people with signs if you are using a “bubbler” system or other devices to prevent local freezing.
  • If a bubbler is employed, please ensure that its settings are such that it does not impede the use of the lake by adjoining neighbors or pose a threat to their health or safety.
  • Mark all raised docks with flags or warning ribbons.
  • Mark fishing holes when not in use.
  • Don’t take a chance and drive vehicles on the ice, unless it’s at least five inches thick for snowmobiles or eight or more inches thick for motorized vehicles.