For many workers, a year without back or muscle strain, is considered a good year. For firefighters, a year without injuries suffered while battling blazes is considered a very good year.

That was the case for the City of Bradford Fire Department which reported no fire-related deaths or injuries were sustained either by firefighters or civilians in 2017.

Fire Chief Eric Taylor said he was very proud of the results of last year and attributed it to the increased training of his staff, which amounted to a total of 2,256 hours for fire and EMS training, up from 2,067 hours in 2016.

Furthermore, Taylor said the safety of his staff increased despite the fact the department answered 497 fire calls, up from 419 in 2016.

“The fire runs consist of fire calls, whether it’s a structure fire, an automatic fire alarm or just standing by for another department,” Taylor explained.  

“The training helps us to do things safer,” he continued. “It’s not about the quantity of work produced, it’s the quality and safeness.”

Taylor said the city of Bradford is also proud of the safety record achieved by the 18 firefighters, a code enforcement officer and himself.

“There were no workmen comp issues (in 2017) which saves the city and the taxpayers money,” Taylor observed.  

He noted the upgrading of turnout equipment with the latest technological advances also increases the protection provided firefighters. Taylor said the department plans to apply for a grant to obtain new self-contained breathing apparatus (airpacks), as the current equipment is older.

“We are going to apply for new (equipment) with the Assistance to Firefighters grant,” Taylor said of the Department of Homeland Security federal grant. “The new airpacks will be up to date.”

As for 2018, Taylor said he hopes his department will continue its safety trend and “keep getting better at it.”

City council member Tim Pecora, who oversees the fire department operations, said he knew the results were good and was pleased to hear of it.

“I think the guys work very hard, and it’s a concerted effort to be safe,” Pecora remarked. “It might actually be an act of God to keep them all safe.”

In providing additional statistics for 2017, Taylor said the total number of structure fires answered, either through assistance or stand-by, was 197. In addition, the total number of emergency ambulance calls was 2,139, up from 2,067 in 2016.

Other statistics include quick response service/rescue calls, 95; investigations for reports of CO, odor or gas 39; HAZMAT calls, 35; and public service and fire prevention programs, 135.

The total call volume for fire and EMS calls in 2017 was 2,636.

Fire training was logged at 1,339 hours, up from 1,202 hours in 2016. EMS training was logged at 917 hours, up from 865 hours in 2016.