Bow fire and rescue goes 24/7

BY RYAN O’CONNOR

The Bow Fire Department didn’t start tracking its calls until 1979, but in that time, calls have increased from 200 in 1980 to 1,116 so far in 2006.

So, to keep up with high demand, Bow fire and rescue officially went 24/7 on Sunday, Nov. 12.

“It’s too early to tell (how it’s working out), but it’s different, it’s exciting, it’s new and it’s been due for awhile,” said firefighter Elliot Berman. “I think it’s a good thing and we’re very excited about it here.”

To make a 24/7 department feasible, the town had to hire two new firefighters, Dan Keller and Keith Lambert, and renovate an interior room for bunking.

Bow is the the third busiest town in the Concord Area Mutual Aid Compact, behind Hooksett and Concord, and only the second department to offer  24/7 fire and EMS services.
The department is now at six full-time firefighters.

“The call department is still needed, but now we’re able to get out there and get the first piece of apparatus to a location quickly, especially EMS,” said Berman. “Having full-time coverage around here is a big step.”

To help with the interior renovations, Wilkin’s Mechanical Services installed the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system at half price, said Berman. The contribution was greatly needed and appreciated because the bunk room is windowless, he said.

“Hans Jorda spoke with the powers that be and supplied the materials at half the cost to get some air into that room since it’s in the middle of the building with no windows,” Berman said.

“They were unbelievable. I said, ‘When can you get here, Hans?’ And, without blinking an eye, he said, ‘Tomorrow.’”

In addition, Young’s Furniture in Bow donated materials and labor, including two beds, two bureaus and a wardrobe.

“Andy (Young) has just been absolutely unbelievable; and not just to us, but the town hall and the police department as well,” said Berman. “He’s just an amazing individual and I don’t know how to thank him enough.

“We certainly weren’t expecting it, but he just went and did it for us at no cost,” Berman said.

Another major contributor to the fire department was Bow Auto Salvage, which supplied 12 free cars so the new firefighters could practice motor vehicle extrications.

“Basically, we just used the Jaws of Lfe and went over new techniques,” said Berman.

“Obviously, it’s hard to work on a new car, or just one car, because you can’t put it back together after you cut it apart.”