The American fire service has been described as “200 years of tradition unimpeded by progress.” Today’s Bedford Fire Department is a resemblance of its historical roots, but you don’t need to look very deep to recognize that it has evolved over the last 100 years. With principles based on tradition and service values, this vital component of our community continues to progress to meet the community’s needs for safety and health, contributing to Bedford’s strength.  With each new emerging hazard comes the need to respond to protect our quality of life. Bedford Fire Department has risen to that call.

The year 2022 marked a significant milestone for the Bedford Fire Department: its centennial anniversary. The History of Bedford, NH recounts on “June 23, 1922, a group of dedicated men assembled to organize a volunteer fire fighting service for the Town.” This original group consisted of thirteen members and the first fire chief, Harry D. Hilchey. The Fire Department has advanced in every way over the last 100 years but maintains the legacy of providing exceptional service to the town.

The purpose of the Fire Department was initially for the sole intention to protect Bedford homes and save lives from the destruction by fire. Its mission today is to strengthen the safety of our community through planning, preparation, emergency response, and risk reduction. Its expectation of emergency response now includes all hazards that threaten the citizens of our community. Hazardous materials, specialized rescue, and medical services are among these expansions of service.

One of Bedford’s earliest fire engines was purchased in 1930 at a purchase cost of $6500. The Sanford (brand name) was the pride of the Town, and in some ways still is; the Town of Bedford still owns the Sanford. The Bedford Firefighters' Association has restored and maintained the vehicle over the past few decades. You may see it on occasion at parades or even have taken a ride in it at the Department’s Annual Open House. Over the years, with the improvement of new technologies, additional apparatus were added to improve the Department’s capabilities.

Today, the Fire Department utilizes a fleet of firefighting apparatus each with a particular necessary purpose. The engine's primary function is to deliver water to the fire. The tower truck is equipped with a 100’ aerial for rescue and extinguishment. The tanker is required to bring a large volume of water as approximately fifty percent of Bedford is not equipped with municipal fire hydrants. A forestry apparatus allows us to access remote, off-road areas for wildland operations. Command SUVs ensure communications at incidents to elevate the safety of its responders. There are even boats for swift water response for the Merrimack River.

The most substantial change has come with the introduction of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) to the Bedford Fire Department. In the 1970s, the national fire service was transformed by EMS, and Bedford Fire incorporated ambulance response into its offered services. What started with some simple first aid and transport to the hospital has developed into highly-sophisticated, life-saving equipment and highly-trained medical providers. We maintain and equip three ambulances. Our capabilities rival that of an emergency room on wheels. All staff at the Bedford Fire Department are cross-trained firefighters and EMS providers. Over 75% of BFD's 3,545 emergency responses in 2021 are for medical emergencies. On average, staff are called for emergencies ten times per day.

Bedford’s first firehouse was completed in 1930. The original two-stall barn was donated by a local resident, dismantled by the firefighters, and rebuilt on its current site. The building is still in use today with several additions over the years to be repurposed as the Bedford Community Television station and meeting space. In 1994, the fire department moved to its current location at the Bedford Safety Complex on Constitution Dr. The department advocates the need to expand its facilities in the future in response to the changing landscape of our community and meet the expectations of the community to arrive at emergencies promptly.  The location of firehouses is of utmost importance to meet expected response times.

The personnel who comprise the Bedford Fire Department remain its bedrock foundation. Just as those 14 original members came together around a common purpose, the men and women of BFD today are committed to delivering valued service to the town. We are a combination of staffing with full-time and on-call staff. As the industries have progressed, the training required of qualified personnel has become increasingly difficult to attract volunteerism. Our partner in labor, L-3639 works to provide the staffing necessary for the operations of the department. They carry out the daily duties of service delivery 24/7/365. The capacity for decision-making that makes a difference in life-threatening situations can only come from these human resources. The professionalism of our staff is beyond comparison. When there is not an active response in progress, we are preparing for the next call through training, equipment readiness, and prevention efforts to reduce hazards in the community.  The future success depends on these first responders. Recruitment and retention is a current struggle in fire and EMS that we strive to find solutions for.

The Fire Department must change as the community it serves changes. The Bedford community has developed in some remarkable ways.  Protection of commercial properties and motorists on miles of highways requires a different level of service.  Medical emergencies requiring ambulance transport to local hospitals continue to increase at an unprecedented rate.  Bedford has evolved from a rural community to a suburban one in the last 50 years.  We continue to adapt to the demand for service that these changes impact.

What is next for the Bedford Fire Department? The answer to that remains in the hands of our community and societal changes.  We have always stepped up to answer the call for service.  That service has evolved over the years and we expect that evolution to continue.  The hazards that our community will face in the future present a challenge that we will be asked to respond to.  These may be natural, weather-related events such as drought or flood or man-made threats affecting health and public safety.  Either way, the Bedford Fire Department must remain a strong force to protect the health, wealth, and quality of life for those living and working in Bedford.  This vitality rests with the resources available to provide the service that the public expects.

The purpose of our work is to make our community better every day. That has remained true for a century. Though our mission has adapted to the community’s changing needs, we maintain the values and traditions of Bedford’s legacy firefighters that built the foundation that we stand on today.  The first responders are committed to providing the highest level of service to the community. We are prepared to face the challenges that will accompany the next 100 years.