The firefighters of Bedford show off their new electric “Jaws of Life” equipment at their fire station.Photo by William Crooks
By William Crooks
Local Journalism Initiative
On behalf of the Minister of Municipal Affairs, Andrée Laforest, Isabelle Charest, the Minister responsible for Sport, Recreation, and Outdoor Activities and MNA for Brome-Missisquoi, announced June 13 a grant of $5,207,420 to the Town of Bedford for the construction of a new fire station. Bedford firefighters have also recently received new, state-of-the-art electric “Jaws of Life” equipment.
This project will also serve the municipalities of Stanbridge Station, Saint-Ignace-de-Stanbridge, and Bedford Township. The new building will feature a first floor with a seven-door garage, workshop, decontamination room, combat gear maintenance area, locker rooms, administrative offices, and utility spaces, according to a June 13 press release.
The second floor will include a multipurpose room, dormitories, a training room, and a dining area with a kitchenette. Additional work includes landscaping and connecting the building to Bedford’s water and sewer systems.
In the release, Laforest emphasized the importance of the municipal infrastructure improvement program, PRACIM, which supports communities across Quebec by providing necessary infrastructure to enhance local vitality and appeal.
Saint-Ignace-de-Stanbridge Mayor Dominique Martel stressed the significance of inter-municipal collaboration in providing top-notch services to residents, praising the new station’s adherence to modern safety standards.
Stanbridge Station Mayor Gilles Rioux acknowledged the advantage of consolidating all equipment in one modern facility, made possible by the government grant, benefiting the volunteer firefighters with a compliant and up-to-date building.
The financial aid comes from the PRACIM, part of the Quebec Infrastructure Plan (PQI) 2024-2034, which includes more than $7.1 billion in investments in municipal infrastructure under the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MAMH). PRACIM supports the improvement, addition, replacement, and maintenance of municipal buildings.
Municipalities with fewer than 25,000 residents receive an additional 5 per cent bonus when they collaborate on projects aimed at improving and sharing community services. The project receives an 8 per cent base rate increase for using wood as the primary construction material, in line with the Wood Integration Policy, which promotes wood use for its economic, social, and environmental benefits. Small municipalities also benefit from increased financial aid rates for such projects.
Press conference
At the press conference held in Bedford June 13, Charest took the stage to announce the $5.2 million investment for the construction of the new fire station.
“I am thrilled to announce this funding, which will enhance the safety infrastructure for Bedford and surrounding communities,” Charest stated.
“This investment, part of the PRACIM program, will provide top-notch facilities for our firefighters, ensuring they have the resources needed to protect our citizens.”
Charest expressed her pleasure in making this announcement in such a beautiful location and encouraged everyone to explore the local products available.
“I wish I could stay longer, but I am on the road all day,” she remarked, adding humorously that she might return if she finds something she likes.
Charest continued, emphasizing the importance of the investment, “This program has evolved over the years, incorporating feedback from previous iterations to better serve our communities.”
Following Charest, Claude Dubois, Mayor of Bedford, shared more details about the project.
“Our region has seen significant growth, and the new fire station is a crucial development,” Dubois remarked. He recounted the project’s history, noting that initial discussions began in 2019 with the idea of expanding the existing fire station. However, following the 2021 municipal elections, the decision was made to build a new station to better accommodate the growing population and the needs of the firefighters.
Dubois highlighted the collaborative effort between local municipalities and the provincial government.
“Without the support from the government, this project wouldn’t be possible. This new fire station is not just for today but for future generations,” he said.
He also mentioned the difficulties in recruiting new firefighters and expressed hope that the new, modern station would attract more individuals to join the team.
“We want people to see how beautiful the new station is and be inspired to be part of our team,” Dubois said.
Dubois concluded his remarks by thanking everyone involved in the project, including local partners and government officials.
“Together, we are creating something valuable for our community, now and for the future,” he said. “Let’s move forward with the groundbreaking before we change our minds,” he quipped, drawing laughter from the audience.
The conference concluded with a symbolic groundbreaking and photo-session.
More from Fire Chief Ralph Gilman
Bedford Fire Chief Ralph Gilman filled The Record in on the details in a brief interview after the conference.
Currently, the fire department operates out of three separate buildings, a situation that has posed numerous challenges. The new consolidated facility promises to streamline operations and enhance response times.
The fire department’s current setup requires firefighters to cross busy roads, including Highway 202, to access different trucks, creating a hazardous situation.
“Right now, we are in three different buildings, which is dangerous,” explained Gilman. “It’s hard to control who is taking which truck when we have a group of guys coming in.”
The new fire station will house all equipment under one roof, allowing for better coordination.
“The first truck will go out with six guys, followed by the second truck with another six, side by side,” he said. This setup not only enhances safety but also ensures a quicker response to emergencies.
Bedford is known for its robust training programs, which benefit neighbouring towns. The new station will include a large classroom for training purposes. “We train all the other towns,” Gilman noted, emphasizing the importance of the new training space. Additionally, the facility will have a dedicated area for washing and decontaminating bunker gear, a significant upgrade from the current practice of washing gear at home.
The new station’s location brings it closer to Saint-Ignace-de-Stanbridge, reducing the distance from eight kilometres to six kilometres at the nearest stop sign. “The whole centre of Saint-Ignace will be within eight kilometres for insurance purposes,” Gilman explained, addressing concerns about response times and insurance rates.
The new fire station is the culmination of over a decade of planning. “This is something I’ve worked on for over ten years,” Gilman said proudly.
Gilman talks new electric “Jaws of Life” equipment
A new range of electric rescue equipment, “Jaws of Life,” is transforming emergency response operations in Bedford, offering significant advantages over traditional gasoline-powered tools. Gilman spoke to The Record on the issue at his fire station in Bedford. The “Jaws of Life” tools use hydraulic fluid to extricate accident victims from compressed areas, particularly during fatal car crashes.
Gilman elaborated on the benefits of the new equipment: “There’s no gasoline engine running. You don’t have to get it out of the truck and start a gas motor. You don’t have to worry that it doesn’t start.”
One of the main advantages is the elimination of external oil lines. Traditional hydraulic tools required a tethered oil line, making them cumbersome to use.
“With the new equipment, the pump is internal, so you still have a hydraulic pump, but it’s all inside,” Gilman explained. “The old system required pulling the pump out of the truck, starting it, undoing the cables, and hooking it to a tool. Now, you just pull up, grab a tool, and go. You’re independent.”
This independence allows for greater mobility around the site. “Previously, if you wanted to change sides of the car, you had to pull a cable around, which often got tangled. With the new system, there are no cables,” he said.
The absence of a gas engine also allows for safer use in enclosed spaces. “We can now use these in factories. If we have to lift a piece of equipment to save someone trapped inside, there’s no gas engine emitting fumes,” he noted.
The shift to electric equipment came after extensive discussions with local factories. “We had meetings with factory representatives and inspected each site. It became clear that a confined space rescue with traditional equipment would be too costly. The electric ‘Jaws of Life’ offered a practical alternative,” Gilman said.
The project received substantial support, including a subvention from the McConnell Foundation and a $45,000 contribution from Graymont Quarry in Bedford. The total project cost is around $200,000, with $157,000 raised so far through donations, without using any taxpayers’ money.
Addressing concerns about battery life, Gilman assured that the equipment is reliable. “They came with a truck. We cut two cars up on one battery and still had power left. Plus, we have spare batteries and chargers mounted in the fire truck.”
The new tools include a mini cutter that exerts 10,000 pounds of force, capable of cutting through brake pedals and steering wheels. “It cuts like butter,” Gilman said.
In addition to rescue tools, the department is considering an electric fan for ventilating confined spaces without emitting exhaust fumes, further enhancing their capability to respond to emergencies in various environments.
The fire department is also focusing on extensive training to ensure proficiency with the new equipment. “We recently conducted a ‘Jaws of Life’ course with 17 participants from various towns. Although hard on the tools, it demonstrated the equipment’s capability and our commitment to being prepared for any rescue scenario,” Gilman said.