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1. Why Does a Fire Truck Respond When I Call For an Ambulance?

All Bedford Firefighters are cross trained as Advanced Emergency Medical Technicians or Paramedics. An engine is dispatched along with the ambulance to "Charlie" and "Delta" level calls (more severe illnesses and injuries as determined by 911) to assist the ambulance crew.

2. How Do I Propely Dispose of Medical Sharps?

The Transfer Station accepts needles as per the information in the NH Department of Environmental Services Needle document available here: http://des.nh.gov/organization/divisions/waste/swmb/documents/bmp-household-sharps.pdf.  Please read this document. It is allowed so long as the needles are put in a container that is rigid and puncture-proof, such as a laundry detergent bottle that has the screw-top securely taped and is labeled “Medical Sharps Container –Not for Recycling”. They have signs and labels at the Transfer Station. You can also print off copies of the label at home and tape them to the container. THE LINK FOR LABELS IS AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS FAQ.  No needles in bags or boxes will be accepted. No exceptions. 

Proper disposal of prescription medications and needles and other sharps can prevent harmful health risks to the public, reduce potential drug abuse, and keep our public servants and employees safe. Thank you for helping us! 

[ http://www.epa.gov/wastes/nonhaz/industrial/medical/disposal.htm ] Disposal Of Medical Sharps - EPA website

CLICK HERE FOR SHARPS CONTAINER LABELS

3. Why Do Firefighters Break Windows and Cut Holes in the Roof When Fighting Fires?

Firefighters ventilate smoke and superheated gases for safety and visibility. This lets firefighters get inside the building to find and extinguish the fire, thereby reducing property damage and providing a safer environment for anyone who may be trapped.

4. Why is the Maltese Cross the Symbol of the Fire Service?

The insignia of the fire service is the Cross Pattee-Nowy, otherwise known as the Maltese Cross. The cross represents the fire service ideals of saving lives and extinguishing fires.

The fire service borrows the emblem of the cross from the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem (Knights Hospitallers), a charitable, non-military, organization that existed during the 11th and 12th centuries that helped the sick and poor in setting up hospices and hospitals. Later, they assisted the Knights of the Crusades through their goodwill and also through military assistance in an effort to the Island of Malta, the island for which the Maltese Cross was named.
The need for an identifiable emblem for the knights had become crucial. Due to the extensive armor which covered their entire bodies and faces, the knights were unable to distinguish friend from foe in battle. They chose the cross of Calvary as their symbol, since they fought their battles as a holy cause. The cross was later called the "Maltese Cross" and represented the principles of charity, loyalty, chivalry, gallantry, generosity to friend and foe, protection of the weak and dexterity in service.

During the Crusades, many knights became fire fighters out of necessity. Their enemies had resorted to throwing glass bombs containing naptha and sailing their war vessels containing naptha, rosin, sulfur, and flaming oil into the vessels of the knights. Many knights were called to perform heroic deeds by rescuing fellow knights and extinguishing fires. In acknowledgement of these feats, the cross worn by these knights was decorated and inscribed. This was considered a most honorable acclaim.

5. Why are Dalmatians Considered Firehouse Dogs?

Dalmatians have shared the barns and the hunt courses with horses for centuries. When fire-apparatus was horse-drawn, nearly every firehouse had its resident Dalmatian to help direct the horses, keep the horses company and guard the firehouse. The horses and dalmatians are gone from fire stations today, but firehouse dogs nearly always were called "Sparky" so Sparky was the obvious name for NFPA's fire prevention symbol.