Bedford County Fire Department

03/16/2026

Up to date Church Storm Shelter Open / Closed Status can be found on our website anytime at: https://www.bedfordtnema.com/shelters-open-closed

01/26/2026

There are multiple instances of vehicles sliding off area roadways this evening. As temperatures have fallen many roads have become iced over. If possible, please refrain from travel until conditions improve.

01/25/2026

* ROADS WILL BE TREACHEROUS MONDAY AND TUESDAY
* Bedford County non-emergency government offices will be closed Monday due to expected slick roads. A decision for Tuesday will be announced on Monday.
* As previously announced, Convenience Centers will remain closed Monday. A decision for Tuesday will be announced on Monday.
* Bedford County Financial Management Committee will not meet Tuesday as scheduled but will postpone its meeting by one week, and will meet a week later, on Tuesday, Feb. 3, at 4:15 p.m. in Suite 110 of Bedford County Business Complex, 200 Dover Street in Shelbyville.
* Always call 9-1-1 in case of an emergency
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Bedford County Highway Superintendent Mark Clanton said the bitter cold which will move in tonight will make county roads "almost impassible ... solid sheets of ice" on Monday and Tuesday, and urged citizens to stay off the roads both days.

Even county emergency services will be affected, and response times will be slower than normal as ambulance, fire, and sheriff's department crews navigate the treacherous road conditions.

Citzens are urged to follow all safety procedures regarding auxiliary heaters or other technologies to avoid the risk of fire.

The initial wave of precipitation has passed, but wind and rain tonight could conceivably affect ice-covered trees as the bitter cold sets in, and could create additional power outages.

There have been flooding problems today at locations that are susceptible to water running over the pavement. Bedford County Highway Department crews have been following the situation. Clanton said that the northwestern portion of the county has seen the greatest impact so far.

01/23/2026

In preparation for the approaching winter storm, BCFD respectfully advises residents of essential safety precautions to safeguard themselves and their families. NEVER operate generators indoors. ALWAYS position generators and equipment outdoors to ensure proper ventilation of exhaust. NEVER utilize ovens as a heating source for homes. ALWAYS switch off unattended portable heaters (gas and electric) when leaving rooms or sleeping. ALWAYS maintain a safe distance of at least 3 feet between combustible materials and heat sources, including gas fireplaces and heaters. ALWAYS install and regularly test smoke alarms and CO detectors to verify they are properly functioning.

01/20/2026

A railroad derailment near Wartrace has resulted in the evacuation of about 50 homes and may create traffic problems in the Wartrace area throughout the day today.
The derailment, which happened at about 7 a.m. today, involved four cars carrying denatured alcohol. There were no leaks. CSX Transportation, which operates the railroad line, is handling cleanup efforts, but representatives of Bedford County Emergency Medical Services, Bedford County Emergency Management Agency, Bedford County Sheriff's Office, Bedford County Fire Department, Wartrace Fire Department, Tennessee Emergency Management Agency and Tennessee Department of Health are on the scene.
No further evacuations are expected, and those who were evacuated should be able to return to their homes later today. No injuries have been reported; two bedridden people in the evacuation area had to be transported to safety.
The derailment happened on the side line and the main CSX line which runs through Bell Buckle, Wartrace and Normandy is clear. However, due to the work being done at the derailment site, trains on the main line will be traveling much more slowly than usual, which could result in longer-than-expected wait times at railroad crossings. Officials are urging those who do not have to be in the area to avoid it today due to traffic issues.
Bugscuffle Road remains closed due to the accident.
School buses may take alternate routes, resulting in some children being dropped off later than usual.
Denatured alcohol is ethanol, the alcohol in alcoholic beverages, which has been specially treated to make it undrinkable, so that it can be used for other purposes, for example as a fuel or solvent.

12/02/2025

PSA- On Wednesday, December 3rd, 2025, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation will be conducting Post Blast Investigation training at the Tennessee Fire and Codes Enforcement Academy. Residents nearby TFACA may hear a series of small explosions between 11 AM and 12 PM. Residents are advised to not report explosions to 911.

10/31/2025

We will be passing out candy tonight till 8:00. Bring the kids. 104 Prince street.

08/18/2025

Our Department as well as every other departments throughout the country want to make sure you (our citizens) are equipped with smoke detectors. Here is the reason WHY!
40 years ago, you had 17 minutes to escape a house fire. Today, you might have just 3.

Why? One word: Synthetics.

Back then, homes were built with solid wood and filled with natural materials like cotton, wool, and real leather. Fires in those homes spread slowly, buying precious time to wake up, react, and get out.

But today, nearly everything in our homes – from sofas and carpets to mattresses, curtains, and even coffee tables – is made from synthetic, petroleum-based materials. These ignite faster, burn hotter, and release far more toxic gases. What once took over 15 minutes to become deadly can now engulf a room in under three.

In a dramatic test by Underwriters Laboratories, two side-by-side rooms – one furnished like the 1970s, the other in modern style – were set on fire. The vintage room burned slowly, taking over 30 minutes to be fully consumed. The modern one? Just three minutes. That’s all the time you’d have to understand what’s happening, alert others, and escape.

And it’s not just about speed. It’s about what’s burning. Modern fires produce more poisonous smoke – including carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide – which can incapacitate you before flames even get close. In fact, smoke inhalation, not burns, is the leading cause of death in house fires.

That’s why working smoke alarms and a practiced escape plan are more crucial than ever. Install alarms on every level of your home and inside every bedroom. Test them monthly, replace the batteries regularly, and swap out alarms every 10 years. Make sure everyone in your household knows two ways out of every room, where to meet outside, and what to do when the alarm sounds. And practice it – don’t just talk about it.

We may not be able to change the materials in our homes. But we can change how we prepare. And when every second counts, preparation is what gives you a fighting chance.

Learn more:
“Newer Homes and Furniture Burn Faster, Giving You Less Time to Escape” by Jeff Rossen and Josh Davis. Today, 16 Oct. 2017

07/09/2025

Investigators are seeking information regarding the fire that occurred on Bullock Road on June 24, 2025. Tips can be reported to the Arson Hotline at 800-762-3017, and callers can remain anonymous.

07/04/2025

Happy 4th of July to everyone!
Please remember to be safe during your festivities and in case of an emergency dial 911

While consumer fireworks are a mainstay of holiday celebrations, they can have tragic, unintended consequences. Across the U.S., consumer fireworks were responsible for 11 deaths and an estimated 14,700 injuries in 2024, according to a new report by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. In 2024, Tennessee fire departments responded to 195 fires started by fireworks that caused an estimated $1,595,735 in direct property damages.

If consumer fireworks are legal where you live in Tennessee and you decide to set them off on your own, be sure to follow these important safety tips: https://www.tn.gov/commerce/news/2025/7/2/celebrate-the-4th-of-july-with-fire-safety.html