Fire Department

Mission Statement

The Bridgeport Fire Department is committed to serving the citizens and patrons of Bridgeport for preservation of life, health, and property. We strive for excellence and professionalism to provide the highest level of services possible in suppression, emergency medicine, technical rescue, fire prevention and safety, and community service.

Vision Statement

A progressive organization that will strive for excellence in delivery and application of all services through continual efforts of training, development, and dedication.

About the Bridgeport Fire Department

The Fire Department is an ISO Class 1 Fire Department consisting of 30 personnel spread across three shifts and administration that provide community protection and service 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. All personnel are dual-certified as Firefighters and EMS (Paramedics, Advanced EMT, and EMT). BFD responds to approximately 3,700 calls for service annually, both inside and outside city limits. These responses include all fire (structure, vehicle, wildland, rubbish, etc.), emergency medical calls, auto accidents, technical rescues, special assignments, and hazardout events (natural and man-made).

Burning Information

New burning hours and enhanced penalties for those who start forest fires:

Division of Forestry spokesperson Leslie Fitzwater says outdoor burning can only take place between 5:00 P.M. and 7:00 A.M. The old burning period began at 4:00 P.M. She says the Division of Forestry believes the one hour adjustment will help.

"Fire danger is more prevalent in the afternoon and that's because that's when the temperatures heat up, the winds are a little stronger and the humidity is lower," Fitzwater said.

State lawmakers also approved a proposal earlier this year to increase the maximum fine for starting a forest fire from $350 to $1,000. Fitzwater says county magistrates will have the option of fining those responsible for allowing their fires to escape anywhere between $100 and $1,000. There's an additional new civil penalty of $200.

Fitzwater says 99% of forest fires are caused by residents and many of them by fires planned by residents but then just get away with them. She says the Division of Forestry needs the assistance of the public.

"Don't burn on windy days. Take into consideration if it's too windy, you can always wait to burn that pile," she said. "Just help us to help you keep the forest safe and don't burn until after 5:00 P.M."

The burning hours remain in effect until December 31.

A commercial burning permit costs $125 and is available through the local Division of Forestry Office.

Burn Permits

City of Bridgeport Burn Permit Process

Residents living inside the city limits of Bridgeport are required to apply for a burn permit year-round through the Bridgeport Fire Department. Applications must be received at least 24 hours prior to the commencement of burning. Open burning with a permit is allowed between the hours of 5:00 p.m. through 7:00 a.m.

The resident doing the burning must ensure that only natural vegetation is being burned and maintain a constant presence at the burning site. The resident also must ensure a water source is nearby in case of accidental spread. Residents shall maintain a copy of the burn permit on site and in no circumstance shall open burning occur within 15 feet of any building. Residents are also required to notify the Bridgeport Fire Dept prior to burning. If a fire, for which your responsible, spreads and starts a wildfire, fines range from $100 to $1,000.

At any time, the Fire Chief or his designee may revoke burn permits or ban open burning. Weather conditions may make open burning too dangerous. If you have any questions, please call 304-842-8252. For a fillable form of the burn permit, click here.

Checklist Prior to Burning

Ensure only natural vegetation is to be burned
Safety strip around proposed burn area is a minimum of 10’
Water source is available in case of accidental spread
Bridgeport Fire Department notified (304-842-8252)

Please return all completed permit forms to [email protected].

If any contractor wishes to burn during the prohibited periods, they may apply for a commercial burn permit issued by the West Virginia Division of Forestry. They must also notify the Bridgeport Fire Department prior to burning.

FAQ

What should I do in case of a fire?

The most important thing you can do is to leave the area and call 911.

What is the most common cause of fires?

A good portion of the fires in this area happen because people are careless with a stove, cigarette or other household item that can produce a fire.

What information should I have ready when reporting a fire?

You should try to be as specific as possible when reporting a fire. It is important to let the fire station know if everyone is alright, how the fire started and what type of fire it is. You should also be prepared to give your name, location and the location of the fire.

What kind of fire extinguisher should I buy?

There are two types of fire extinguishers available on the market today. They are either rechargeable or disposable and come in portable sizes. Portable extinguishers (rechargeable or disposable) for home use are not designed to fight large or spreading fires. Even against small fires, they are useful only under certain conditions. You should select only fire extinguishers that have been tested by an independent laboratory and labeled for the type and size of fire they can extinguish. Use these labels as a guide to purchase they type of extinguisher that suits your needs. Multipurpose fire extinguishers, labeled ABC, may be used on all three classes of fire. If you use the wrong type of extinguisher, you can endanger yourself and make the fire worse.

What are the classes of fires?

Class A: Ordinary combustibles such as wood, cloth and paper.
Class B: Flammable liquids such as gasoline, oil and oil-based paints.
Class C: Energized electrical equipment, which includes wiring, fuse boxes, circuit breakers, machinery and appliances.

Where is the best place to put a smoke detector?

Every home should have at least one smoke alarm outside of each sleeping area and on every level of the home, including the basement. The National Fire Alarm Code, published by National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) requires a smoke alarm in every sleeping room for new construction. On floors without bedrooms, alarms should be installed in or near living areas, such as dens, living rooms or family rooms. Be sure everyone sleeping in your home can hear your smoke alarm. If any residents are hearing-impaired or sleeps with bedroom doors closed, install additional alarms inside their sleeping areas as well. There are special smoke alarms for the hearing impaired; these flash a light in addition to sounding an audible alarm. For extra protection, the NFPA suggests installing alarms in dining rooms, furnace room, utility rooms and hallways. Smoke alarms are not recommended for kitchens, bathrooms or garages where cooking fumes, steam or exhaust fumes could set off false alarms, or in attics and other unheated spaces where humidity and temperature changes might effect an alarm's operation.

Because smoke rises, mount alarms high on a wall or on the ceiling. Wall- mounted units should be mounted so that the top of the alarm is 4 to 12 inches (10 to 30 centimeters) from the ceiling. A ceiling-mounted alarm should be attached at least 4 inches (10 centimeters) from the nearest wall. In a room with a pitched ceiling, mount the alarm at or near the ceiling's highest point. In stairways with no doors at the top or bottom, position smoke alarms anywhere in the path of smoke moving up the stairs. But always position smoke alarms at the bottom of closed stairways, such as those leading from the basement, because dead air trapped near the door at the top of a stairway could prevent smoke from reaching an alarm located at the top. Don't install a smoke alarm too near a window, door or forced-air register where drafts could interfere with the alarm's operation. Remember to test the smoke detector once a month and to replace the batteries at least once a year.

Does the city provide fire protection outside of city limits?

The city does provide fire protection to some residents and businesses outside the city limits. To find out if you are in an area protected by the City of Bridgeport Fire Department, please contact the Fire Department at 304-842-8252.

How many calls does the fire department receive a year?

Station 51 (downtown Bridgeport-Main Street) receives an average of 208 fire calls and 1,444 EMS calls per year.
Station 52 (sub-station-by UHC Hospital) receives an average of 188 fire calls and 796 EMS calls per year.

Staff / Hours of Operation

Fire Chief: Phil Hart
Deputy Chief: Greg Pigg

Main Station:

131 W. Main Street
Bridgeport, WV 26330

Sub Station:

102 Health Care Boulevard
Bridgeport, WV 26330

Telephone: 304-842-8252
Fax: 304-842-8254
Emergency: Dial 9-1-1

Business Hours:
Monday - Friday 7:30 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.