4:00PM Bedford Fire Department was dispatched to the intersection of East Lynchburg Salem Turnpike and Krantz Corner for the report of a vehicle fire. E1 (w/3) arrived on scene at 4:05PM to find a SUV with heavy fire showing from the engine compartment. Fire was marked under control at 4:10PM. Rescue 1 (w4) assisted with removing the hood and overhaul. All units cleared the scene at 4:40PM. No injuries were reported.

Are you a member of another department whether that be career or volunteer? Do you already have VDFP Fire Fighter 2 and your EMT? Do you want to be a part of an aggressive and progressive all volunteer department? If so, we have several associate member openings. As an associate you can come and ride backwards and make many memories at a fun and fast paced department.

Requirements:

• 24 hours a month standby is minimum, we do encourage more
• 18 years old
• Current FF2, EMT, HMO
• Attend one bimonthly drill a quarter

Benefits:

• Ride on a variety of apparatus including engines, tractor drawn aerial, and a walk-in rescue
• Learn to till after several months of membership
• Pay-per-call (Pay scale varies)
• Possible tuition assistance
• Learn and train with a great group of dedicated firefighters

Contact:

• Call (540) 586-3433 for a ride along
• Apply here: https://form.jotform.com/193566322303151

Shortly after 6:30 AM on Valentine’s Day, Bedford Communications dispatched units to the area of West Lynchburg Salem Turnpike and Pearsall Drive for a MVC involving multiple vehicles and reports of one driver trapped. Engine 1 (w/ three), Rescue 1 (w/four), Medic 14-1, and County 10 arrived to find four vehicles involved and one entrapment. The driver was removed from her vehicle and transported with non-life-threatening injuries. Both lanes of eastbound traffic were shut down for approximately one hour before vehicles could be removed.

Units operating: E1, R1, M14-1, M14-8, County 10, and VASP.

On February 6th just before 5:15 PM, Bedford Communications alerted Company 1 (Bedford) first due, Company 9 (Montvale) second due, and Company 5 (Forest) RIT to the 1000blk of Peaks Street for the report of a residential structure fire. E1 w/4 arrived on scene at 5:16PM to find a two-story single-family residence with heavy fire showing from sides A (Alpha) and D (Delta) division 1. Ladder 1 w/6 completed searches and threw ground ladders to all four side of the house. All searches were negative, and fire was marked under control at 5:37PM. All units cleared the scene at 8:35PM.
Units operating in the scene: E1, L1, W1, R1, E91, T5, E8, T8, Medic 14-1, Ambulance 14.
No injuries were reported, and the fire is under investigation.

Just a little before 5pm on December 4th Ladder 1 as RIT and Tanker 1 for water supply responded into Company 8’s first due for a working structure fire. Wagon 8-2 was the first to arrive to find heavy fire showing from side Alpha. Ladder 1 (w/six) arrived, established RIT on Side A, began throwing ladders, and established ventilation. Approximately ten minutes into the incident a firefighter from Company 8 suffered a medical emergency which resulted in a “firefighter down” transmission. The firefighter was quickly removed from the house, stabilized, and transported to Roanoke Memorial Hospital. The fire is being investigated by the Bedford County Fire Marshal’s Office. Units operating: W82, E8, T8, U8, E131, T13, L1, T1, Medic 14-1, Medic 14-13, Ambulance 14, and County 16.

Are you a full time student at a local college?

Do you have a minimum of Firefighter 1 and Hazmat Operations?

We are accepting applications for Interns!

Apply here: https://form.jotform.com/193566322303151

Questions? Call the firehouse: (540) 586-3433

The winter months are busy at the Bedford Fire Department.  Bad weather contributes to regular vehicle accident calls, and structure fires are often on the rise due to heating concerns in the winter months. Nearly half of all home heating fires occur in the months of December, January and February.

On December 29th the BFD responded to two serious structure fires and another two on January 2nd. Fortunately no one was injured in any of these incidences.  There have been several chimneys fires as well in the past month.

The Department reminds you to please remember to keep the area surrounding space heaters and fireplaces clear or any items that can burn.  Especially bedding, upholstered furniture, mattresses, and clothing. Have your chimney cleaned regularly if you use a fireplace or wood burning stove for heating.  Check your smoke alarms and replace the batteries if needed.

Christmas in a small town fire station means family and food and fun. The Bedford Fire Department was honored to lead the Bedford Christmas Parade earlier this month with the 1927 Seagrave Fire Engine. The parade was followed by pictures with Santa at the fire Station and a dinner served by the Ladies Auxiliary.

The monthly business meeting for December included the election of Officers for the coming year. New officers will take up their duties in January 2018.

Incoming officers are:
Line Officers:
Chief – Brad Creasy
Deputy Chief – Matt Scott
Assistant Chief – Jeremy Garten
Captain – Chris Gardner
1st Lieutenant – Kevin Musgrove
Lieutenant – Nick Rice

Administration Officers:
President – Brandon Crouch
Vice President – Reid Wodicka
Secretary – Matt Allen
Assistant Sec. – Curtis Marshall
Treasurer – Russell Stevens
Chaplain – Matt Shutt

Congratulations All!

What do dinosaurs and Volunteer firemen have in common?

Besides being perpetually hungry, and willing to eat almost anything, not a whole lot.

Unless a volunteer fireman IS a dinosaur. No, I don’t mean old. Ok, well sometimes I mean “old” but not this time. This time I just mean that one of the firemen at Company One lived out his childhood dream of being a dinosaur on Halloween. If you missed him, he will probably be back next year. He’ll be the one in the inflatable T-Rex costume.

This year, as they do every year, the fine men and women of the Bedford Fire Department gave out candy to over 1000 local children on Halloween night. The Dinosaur didn’t help. His arms were too short.

If you didn’t make it by the fire house this year, be sure you mark the Fire Station on your Halloween trick or treat map for next year. They’ll be back with their giant plastic cauldron of candy, eager to share the sugar rush with all the Ninja Turtles, Cinderella’s and Harry Potter’s in the Town of Bedford.

Did you know that October is National Fire Safety month?

Now you do.

You should go check your smoke detectors. Yes, do it now.  I’ll wait. You can finish reading this once you make sure your hearth and home are properly protected with fairly functional catchers of conflagrations.

This month the dedicated members of the Bedford Volunteer Fire Department were able to share their vast knowledge of all things fire-safety related with the littlest in our community.  They took time out of their schedules (sometimes that means time off work, or away from their own family, sometimes it just means they had to put off consuming their carefully prepared lunch of chicken flavored cup-o-noodles) to head round to the local institutions of education for the edification of our young people. The cup-o-noodles was probably cold by the time they got back.  It’s ok.  That’s why they make microwave ovens.

Children at Bedford Primary, Bedford Elementary, Otter River Elementary, Bedford Baptist Preschool and a group of homeschoolers were all properly educated on the basics of fire safety.

Featured Events of the program were:

*Stop, Drop and Roll- demonstrated ably by the fine men and women of the department.  Re-enacted gleefully by children everywhere.

*Every Second Counts, Plan two ways out- in other words, have an escape plan, make sure you have at least two. It’s always good to know your exits.  Just ask anyone who has ever been trapped by their over-sharing relative at the family reunion. No one ever needs that much information about bunions.

Swag was given out. A puzzle that took me an embarrassingly long time to put together that shares the basics tenants of fire safety. I never said I was particularly gifted in puzzles. Also a handy sack.  Good for emergency overnights at grandma’s house, or snacks at the soccer game, or all the crayons left on the table after your make your family escape plan and go over it with your kids.

If you need us, you know the number.

Sleepless night for the BFD as units respond to three vehicle crashes, one alarm, and one structure fire after midnight.  This picture, courtesy of BFD Photo Unit John Wilcher, shows Firefighter/Paramedic A. Reyna operating at a log cabin fire on Rocky Ford Road.  Initially reported as a brush fire with multiple calls, this log cabin was already destroyed by fire and on the ground when units arrived.  Units operating: B1 (with two), Wagon 1 (with four), B1A (with two), Tanker 1 (with four), Tanker 13, and Brush 13.  Total Company 1 personnel: 14.