Over the past forty years, the Bedford Fire Department has evolved with the fire service, and the town has experienced tremendous residential, commercial, and industrial growth.  To put things into perspective, consider these facts:

Personal Protective Equipment

Scott Air Pack and Mask, 1976: $645.00

Scott Air Pack and Mask, 2006: $4,800.00
New technology requires integrated emergency alarm and chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) rating

Structural Firefighting Protective Clothing, 1976: $710.00
Rubber boots, rubber coat, and helmet

Structural Firefighting Protective Clothing, 1996: $1,225.00
Rubber boots, Kevlar and Nomex pants, jacket, and helmet

Structural Firefighting Protective Clothing, 2006: $1,850.00
Rubber boots, Kevlar and Nomex pants, jacket, and helmet

Call Volume

Ambulance Calls, 1966: 95 medical emergencies

Ambulance Calls, 1976: 395 medical emergencies

Ambulance Calls, 1996: 826 medical emergencies

Ambulance Calls, 2006: 1,239 medical emergencies

Fire Engine, 1966: 366 emergency responses

Fire Engine, 1976: 510 emergency responses

Fire Engine, 1996: 1,235 emergency responses

Fire Engine, 2006: 1,588 emergency responses

Apparatus

New Pumper, 1976: $85,000

New Pumper, 2006: $410,000

New Ambulance, 1976: $26,000

New Ambulance, 1996: $95,000

New Ambulance, 2006: $180,000

Population

Residential units, 1996: 3,678

Residential units, 2006: 3,933