Bellows Falls Fire Department 3.6

Emergency: 9-1-1

Contact Information:

Phone: (802) 463-4343

Interim Administrative Fire Chief Ron Lake
Steve Cenate, Deputy Fire Chief
Tom Fredriksen, Captain
Jonathan Bebey, Firefighter
Dave Bellimer, Firefighter

Mission Statement: We will provide protection to the community and care for the community’s needs in a professional manner as an All Hazard/All Risk Response Agency. It is our mission to deliver a highly competent combination of proactive and reactive fire, rescue and emergency services that will provide the highest possible degree of protection to all citizens and their property from the dangers of modern society.

Bellows Falls Fire Department History and Overview:

The Bellows Falls Fire Department is an ISO Class 4 fire department that provides emergency and non-emergency services to the Village of Bellows Falls, Vermont and the surrounding areas. Bellows Falls is located in northeast Windham County on the Connecticut River.

The department patch reflects much of the history of the Bellows Falls Fire Department. On November 8, 1825, the Bellows Falls Fire
Company was formed as a result of several previous large fires. In 1831, reorganization created the Bellows Falls Fire Society, which
in turn set up districts for fire protection. The Village of Bellows Falls was incorporated 2 years later following the same boundaries as the Fire Society.

Various independent fire companies were organized in response to major fires. They included the Abenaqui Company in 1860, the
Bridgemen Company in 1867, and the Shamrock Company in 1871.

The hose, ladder, and axe on the patch represent the roles of the different fire companies as well as the tools they used. From the first hand drawn Hunneman Hand Tub of 1835, the Mount Kilburn.

The hours of the clock on the Town Hall in the center of the patch point to 6:12 PM. This was the time of the alarm for a devastating fire at the Star Hotel in the Village Square on December 29, 1981 that claimed the lives of two Bellows Falls Firefighters in the line of duty. Firefighter Dana Fuller and Firefighter Terry Brown lost their lives while fighting this fire.

The Department was volunteer/paid-on-call until the mid-1920’s at which time a full time Chief and a full time Driver were appointed. The Department has remained a combination department, with some full time firefighters and a larger group of On-call firefighters that respond at the time of the incident.

Today the department is made up of full-time and on-call personnel that provide twenty four hour staffing at the station. The full time positions include the Fire Chief, Deputy Fire Chief, a Captain and 2 Shift Firefighters that work a rotating 24-hour shift. The department is also supported by 20 on-call firefighters. The call firefighters are split into two companies, the Engine and Ladder Companies. A Captain, who is on a duty rotation for response every other week, heads the companies. The department runs 2 Engines, 1 Ladder Truck, a Heavy Rescue/Command Vehicle and 2 Staff Vehicles.

Currently the Bellows Falls Fire Department prides itself on being a full service fire department that provides all types of service to the community including public fire education, fire code inspection and enforcement, fire suppression, technical rescue, emergency medical services, disaster and hazardous materials response and all other related activities.

Firefighter Recruitment

We do have available positions for “On Call” firefighters. We are always looking for dedicated people who want to serve as part time On
Call firefighters. Being a firefighter is not for everyone. There is a time commitment required for both training and response to emergency calls. If you think you may be interested in being involved and participating with the Bellows Falls Fire Department you can contact the fire station at 463-4343.

Fire Code Enforcement/Construction Permits

The Bellows Falls Fire Department Code Enforcement Division enforces Fire and Life Safety Codes in the Village of Bellows Falls. Under the codes we only have jurisdiction and enforce Fire and Life Safety codes in public buildings. Public Buildings are defined as any building or facility open to the public or rented to a person or entity.

A construction permit is required and can be obtained through the Code Enforcement Division for all new construction and renovations to existing buildings. A certificate of occupancy from the fire department is required for all new and changing occupancies.

Please contact the Fire Department Code Enforcement Division (463-4343) for fire code questions, to schedule a code inspection or to
obtain a construction/building permit.

Municipal Fire Alarm Division

The Bellows Falls Fire Department operates and maintains a municipal fire alarm circuit in the community. This fire alarm circuit includes
master and street fire alarm boxes that are monitored and received directly at the fire station. Please contact the Fire Alarm Division for
information or questions related to the Municipal Fire Alarm System.

Public Fire Safety and Station Tours

The Bellows Falls Fire department also provides public safety education and station tours. Contact the fire station (463-4343) to schedule safety training or a station tour.

The Bellows Falls Fire Department is located at 170 Rockingham Street at the north end of the Village.