What Happens at a "Stand by"?
 
By First Assistant Chief D. Pappas
February 5, 2015
 

As we're in the midst of a pretty brutal winter, it seems like your volunteer fire department is manned round the clock, especially during heavy storms. What happens is that if a severe winter storm is forecast, the chief will call a stand-by, and encourage any available members to come down to the firehouse and remain there anywhere from six to 24 hours. The firehouse has a fully stocked kitchen, shower facilities, and reclining seats for the members' comfort as they spend the night at the firehouse. A full backup generator ensures that the firehouse remains operational during the most severe of storms, and can serve as a warming center for the public, if the Town of Bedford requests it. The photos accompanying this story show a little bit of what goes on during a stand-by.
 
Playing cards or other games can help pass the time for the stand by crew.
Playing cards or other games can help pass the time for the stand by crew.
One of two TV lounges with reclining seats makes the stand by more tolerable.
One of two TV lounges with reclining seats makes the stand by more tolerable.
 
Trucks are repositioned in the firehouse based on how severe the storm will be. The order of response may change depending on conditions.
Trucks are repositioned in the firehouse based on how severe the storm will be. The order of response may change depending on conditions.
The black matting below the rescue truck protects the firehouse floor, especially when the tires have chains on them.
The black matting below the rescue truck protects the firehouse floor, especially when the tires have chains on them.
 
Utility 8--a four-wheel drive vehicle--is loaded up with cones, hose, barriers and a portable generator so that it can respond to virtually any incident if snow conditions slow down the other trucks.
Utility 8--a four-wheel drive vehicle--is loaded up with cones, hose, barriers and a portable generator so that it can respond to virtually any incident if snow conditions slow down the other trucks.
Engine 116 is positioned facing the rear doors so that it can roll quickly without moving around the other trucks.
Engine 116 is positioned facing the rear doors so that it can roll quickly without moving around the other trucks.
 
Heavy tire chains help our apparatus keep traction in the snow, especially on the side road and dirt roads in our town. Note the black matting which keeps the chains from cutting into the firehouse floor, which was just recently replaced.
Heavy tire chains help our apparatus keep traction in the snow, especially on the side road and dirt roads in our town. Note the black matting which keeps the chains from cutting into the firehouse floor, which was just recently replaced.