The Bedford Fire Department was established in 1750 and protects approximately 21,000 residents living in both a rural and suburban area of 32.83 square miles in southeastern New Hampshire. The town is well known for its large mansion type homes and estates. During the daytime hours it is not uncommon for the population of Bedford to well exceed 100,000 people.
The Bedford Department is commanded by Chief Scott Wiggin and has one station which is strategically located on Route 101, one of the busiest roadways in town. Twenty five full-time firefighters work a rotating shift schedule along with 4 Lieutenants. Bedford also has a Call Force of ten members including three officers that also provide Fire and EMS protection for the town.
The Fire Department Administration includes a full-time chief, a deputy chief, and one captain. The Deputy Chief of Operations and Training maintains the profession levels of the personnel, while the Fire Captain oversees Prevention and Safety. Additionally, there is a fire inspector who conducts annual inspections for compliance.
The fire department is self-dispatched from its own Police and Fire Communications Center, located in Safety Complex. They dispatch on 156.180 MHz with a PL of 94.8. The Bedford Communication Center also dispatches the Bedford Police Department.
Bedford Fire Rescue is prepared to respond to many serious target hazards in and around the Town. Some examples include the Energy North Propane holding facility (on site are four 100,000 gallon tanks), eight nursing and assisted living facilities, a large lumber distribution company, two large shopping areas, and several manufacturing companies that use chemical processes.
Major roadways include State Routes 101, 114, and 3, as well as Interstate Highway 293 (with a portion of this being the Fredrick Everett Turnpike). During the rush hour periods these roadways, as well as the town roads within the mall district are routinely grid locked. This results in many serious motor vehicle accident responses, as well as extremely stressful emergency driving conditions.
The town is bordered by Amherst, Goffstown, Merrimack, New Boston, and Manchester, NH. Bedford Fire Rescue answers approximately 2000 calls in a year, of which 40% were fire incidents. The Department provides fire suppression, Advanced Life Support EMS response, and technical rescue.
Chief Scott Wiggin
Tel. 603-472-3219
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