Bedford Police and Fire Departments Celebrated Successful Bedford Day

For Immediate Release

Thursday, Sept. 24, 2015

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 781-533-9398
Email: john@jgpr.net

Bedford Police and Fire Departments Celebrated Successful Bedford Day

BEDFORD — Police Chief Robert Bongiorno and Fire Chief David Grunes are pleased to report that both departments had a successful 2015 Bedford Day.

Residents and public safety officials gathered on Saturday, Sept. 19 to celebrate the town through activities, games, sports and more.

The morning started out with the 21st Danny Oates Memorial 5K race and 2.5K walk. The race was created in honor of Danny Oates, a young boy who drowned in his family’s swimming pool over 20 years ago. Danny’s father was a Bedford firefighter, who was on duty and responded to the incident, and Danny’s brother, Brian, is currently a Bedford firefighter.

Each year a team of police, firefighters and their families run in the race or volunteer their time to assist with the event. Several firefighters ran, including Brian Oates.

In the afternoon, the Bedford Police and Fire Honor Guard led the annual parade from The Great Road to Mudge Way, passing by excited citizens who waved them onward.

Police and advocates from the Domestic Violence Service Network set up a booth to greet and interact with citizens while handing out pamphlets on community programs in town.

“We’re always excited to meet and mingle with the community and share information about our department, especially with our younger residents,” Chief Bongiorno said. “This was another great event and we look forward to next year.”

The Fire Department had their new Ladder 1 truck, which went into service in Nov. 2014, on display for the first time. Children were able to go inside the truck, take pictures and meet firefighters.

Residents could also hop on board an ambulance where paramedics performed demonstrations of emergency medical procedures, like CPR. The Fire Department is in the process of transitioning from providing Basic Life Support to Advanced Life Support (ALS) services to the community.

Firefighters handed out a flier for those interested in learning more about the paramedic program and ALS services in the community. The transition began in 2014 and includes the training and hiring of several new firefighter/paramedics who will have the ability to provide ALS to residents. The process was made possible through support from members of the Bedford Fire Department, citizens and the town’s community partners, Armstrong Ambulance and Lahey Hospital & Medical Center.

“This was a great opportunity for the community to learn about what our department has been up to over the last year,” Chief Grunes said. “We’ve made some exciting changes and developments and we’re happy to share our accomplishments with residents.”