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Fire Department Amends Two Procedures

Last updated on Thursday, March 21, 2013

(BEDFORD) - Bedford Fire Chief Jon Wagner asked the Board of Works to amend two of the departments operational procedures.

The first regards how firefighters respond to "Mayday" scenarios. Mayday is the universal term firefighters utter when presented with life-threatening situations such as entrapment, entanglement, a fall through a roof, lack of air, or disorientation.

Mayday is transmitted three times and all other radio traffic must cease.

The new procedure defines in detail how department officials respond to these emergency situations.

The second change in operational policy focuses on emergency evacuation.

When firefighters at the scene of a fire believe the imminent collapse of a structure will result in the endangerment of personnel, the incident commander is to be notified immediately. He will order the apparatus air horns to sound for 10 seconds and also transmit "evacuate" over the radio.

All firefighting and rescue activities cease until the commander orders the restoration of operations.

Wagner also introduced new firefighter Logan Fair to board members and Mayor Shawna Girgis, sworn him into service.

Wagner also praised training officer Brent Allen and recommended him for promotion to captain. The board approved the promotion.

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