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Fire Department

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1. I received an ambulance bill in the mail from the Bedford Fire Department, what do I need to do?

The City of Bedford charges your insurance carrier for ambulance fees. You may or may not receive a notice in the mail requesting your insurance information. If we have your complete information, it may not be necessary to contact you. If you live outside Bedford’s primary response area, you may receive a bill for any outstanding balances. For questions about your ambulance bill, please call Emergicon at 1-877-602-2060 or 972-602-2060.

2. How do I get a copy of my ambulance bill, report, or patient record?

The City of Bedford contracts with Emergicon to provide all EMS Billing and Patient Records for the Fire Department's Ambulance Service. For questions concerning your ambulance bill or need a copy of your patient record, please call Emergicon at 1-877-602-2060 or 972-602-2060.

3. Why have I not received my bill after using Bedford’s Ambulance Service?

The City of Bedford only charges your insurance company for ambulance fees. You may or may not receive a notice in the mail requesting your insurance information. If we have your complete information, it may not be necessary to contact you.

4. I have called Emergicon and did not receive the help I needed, who else can I contact??

Please call the Bedford Fire Department Division Chief of EMS at 817-952-2500 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. We will do our best to assist you in resolving your issue.

5. Does Bedford EMS provide non-emergency transport services?

No. Bedford Fire Department EMS only provides emergency ambulance service. If you need non-emergency service, please select from several transfer ambulances servicing our area.

6. What hospitals will Bedford Fire Department EMS transport to?

The Bedford Fire Department EMS will transport to all area hospitals at the patient's request, including downtown hospitals in both Dallas and Fort Worth. However, depending on the patient’s condition and medical necessity, paramedics may determine the appropriate hospital.

7. How do I obtain a fire report?

Reports of fire incidents are available to the public by request through the City Secretary's Office via an online public information request. For questions how to complete the form, please send an email to citysecretary@bedfordtx.gov. 

8. Can I have my child's birthday party at a Fire Station?

Unfortunately, we are unable to host birthday parties. However, we'd be happy to schedule a "station tour" for your child and their party guests. The tour includes fire personnel providing a tour of the station (including the fire trucks) to you, your child, child and their guests. The kids would also be able to try on some of firefighters' gear. Please keep in mind, firefighters would possibly need to respond to emergencies during the scheduled tour time. For more information, please call 817-952-2500.

9. How do I arrange a tour of a Fire Station?

You may either stop by your local fire station between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. and ask for a tour, or call  817-952-2500 to schedule a tour (recommended). Please note, tours may be cut short or canceled due to firefighters needing to respond to an emergency. 

10. Can I dispose of my medical sharps and unwanted medication at the Fire Department?

The Bedford Fire Department cannot accept used needles or medical waste from the general public. Instead, please dispose of them in a proper medical waste container or place them in an empty detergent bottle (to protect people from being poked) and place in the trash. To dispose of unwanted medication, please pick-up a "Take Away Medication Recovery System" envelope from the Fire administration lobby, located at 1816 Bedford Rd. 

11. How do I check my smoke detector?

Every smoke detector has a test button, usually in the center of the detector. Press the test button and hold it for a few seconds. If it is working correctly, the alarm will sound and will automatically stop when you release the button. Remember to test your smoke detector monthly and change the batteries twice a year.

12. What type and how many smoke detectors should I have in my home?

You need to have smoke detectors in each sleeping room, in the hallway outside of sleeping rooms and on each floor level of your home. The most common place to put a smoke detector is on the ceiling of the room. The detector should be mounted no closer than 12 inches from the side wall or if mounted on the wall, no closer than 12 inches from the ceiling. Make sure not to place the detector outside of bathroom doors, in kitchens, and other areas that produce vapors that might lead to accidental detector activations.

There are two basic types of smoke detectors - ionic and photoelectric. Both types of detectors work well to detect fires where there are open flames. Tests have shown that the photoelectric detectors are better in detecting smoldering fires, the type of fire most common in homes.

All new homes are required to have smoke detectors that run off of the normal household electrical circuits with battery backup. Older homes, built before smoke detectors were required are often supplied with battery-operated smoke detectors only. Hard wired detectors that run off of a home's normal electricity can be installed or retrofitted into existing homes.

13. Where can I learn more about Carbon Monoxide Detectors?

Please visit the EPA's website for details on Carbon Monoxide detectors. 

14. Can I have a small backyard recreational fire or cooking fire on my property?

Recreational and cooking fires are allowed even in areas where general outdoor burning is prohibited. The same safety rules apply for cooking and recreational fires. General outdoor burning is prohibited. Please note, if a burn ban is enacted by Tarrant County outdoor recreational fires are prohibited.

15. Are fireworks legal in Bedford?

No. It is illegal to possess or discharge fireworks in Bedford at any time. Fireworks violations are criminal misdemeanor violations, with fines as much as $2,000 for each citations, and up to one year in jail may be assessed. It is mandatory for the fireworks to be seized, as well.

16. What type of fire extinguisher should I have for my home and how do I refill it?

A multi-purpose fire extinguisher is best for the home. Look for the rating to be at least 2A 10B C on the label. This extinguisher can be used on any type of fire commonly found in the home (it will often be labeled A-B-C). It is recommended that an extinguisher be installed in the kitchen and in the garage.

The Bedford Fire Department does not service or refill fire extinguishers. Research "Fire Equipment" on your phone or internet to find companies that do this. 

Please contact Republic Services at 800-333-7301 to determine how to dispose of old fire extinguishers.

17. Does the Fire Department fill oxygen bottles?

No, the Fire Department does not service or refill oxygen tanks. Please contact a medical supply company that provides this service. 

18. Does the Bedford Fire Department give free blood pressure checks?

Any Bedford Fire Station will do free blood pressure checks without an appointment, providing they are in the station and not on a call.

19. Does the fire department do child car seat installations or inspections?

No. However, we can offer the list of resources below. (Updated 5/31/2022)

• Cook Children’s, 682-885-2634
• Texas Health and Human Services – Safe Riders Child Occupant Safety Program, 1-800-252-8255
• Save Me with a Seat, text “seat” plus your zip code to 876526 or visit www.savemewithaseat.org
• Texas Health Resources, 1-877-847-9355
• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Other local Police Departments

• Euless Police Department (appointment only), 817-685-1526 
• Colleyville Police Department (appointments available, but not required), 817-503-1200 
• Keller Police Department (appointment only), 817-743-4625
• Southlake DPS, 817-748-8173

20. Does the Fire Department fill swimming pools?

We do not fill swimming pools.

21. My child has started several small fire. What can I do to deter him/her from doing this again?

Early attention to this problem is extremely important. Our fire marshal actively participates in the Juvenile Fire setters Intervention Program. Please call 817-952-2500 for more information.

22. Can someone from the Fire Department come to my group to speak about fire safety?

Yes! The Fire Marshal can prepare topics for almost any group or organization. Please call 817-952-2500 to arrange for a fire prevention specialist to come speak to your group/organization.

23. Where can someone go to get an interpretation of a Fire Code requirement?

Generally, the Fire Marshal can give an answer. Call 817-952-2500 and ask to speak to the Fire Marshal.

24. How can I report a fire hazard?

Please report fire hazards to the Fire Marshal at 817-952-2500.

25. How do automatic fire sprinklers work and can they be installed in a home?

Automatic fire sprinklers are connected to a series of pipes that run through the building's framework. The pipes are connected by control valves to a city or other reliable water supply. When a fire occurs, water automatically discharges through the sprinkler heads to extinguish or control the fire until the fire department arrives. Fire sprinklers are activated from the heat of the fire. Only the sprinklers directly over the fire are activated. Most fires are contained or extinguished with only one or two heads going off. Sprinklers in homes are very effective life safety devices that significantly enhance your chances for survival if there is a fire in your home.

26. Why does a fire truck respond with the ambulance?

The City of Bedford prides itself on the delivery of state-of-the-art emergency medical services to our community. Bedford ambulances and fire trucks are staffed by cross-trained firefighter/paramedics and firefighter/EMTs. A fire truck is dispatched with the ambulance on many calls for various reasons, such as the fire truck may be closer and can initiate medical care before the arrival of the ambulance. Bedford also uses intensive pre-hospital emergency care treatments. The crews of the fire truck and ambulance make a highly efficient team that provides the public with an unsurpassed level of care.

27. Why do we see fire department crews at the store?

You may see Fire Department personnel at the store because they work a 48-hour shift, and must eat their meals while working. The firefighters eat together, and crews pay for their own food. Each morning, after the equipment is checked and the housework completed, one of the vehicles (either the engine or ambulance) will then make a quick trip to the grocery store to purchase the food that will be prepared for the shift. All crews remain in service during meals to respond to calls.

28. What should I do when I am driving and an emergency vehicle approaches me?

When you become aware of an approaching emergency vehicle, pull to the right and stop. If you are approaching an intersection and see an emergency vehicle that is approaching the intersection from behind you or another direction, come to a stop preferably one or two car lengths back from the intersection. These simple maneuvers can result in seconds saved by the emergency vehicle and can translate into a huge difference for someone who is having a medical emergency or is experiencing a fire.

29. Who do I contact if I have a problem or concern about the service I received?

You can call the Bedford Fire Department at 817-952-2500 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. We will do our best to assist you in resolving your issue.