Our History

The organization of the Bridgewater Fire Department dates back to 1844 as a volunteer fire brigade.  In 1923, after a devastating fire at the former Normal School, presently Bridgewater State University, the fire department was reorganized.

The Bridgewater Fire Department provides protection to the 28,000 residents of our community as well as the students and staff of Bridgewater State University and the inmates and staff of the Massachusetts Correctional Institution.

The BFD currently has a staff of 53 full time career Firefighters comprises of a Chief, Deputy Chief, Fire Prevention Officer, EMS Lieutenant, Training Lieutenant, Fire Prevention Officer, EMS Lieutenant, 4 shift Captains, 4 shift Lieutenants and 41 Firefighter. We currently operate with four duty groups staffing our headquarters on School Street and a Substation on Plymouth Street.

The original headquarters station was constructed in the 1860s and additions were made to the facility in 1951, 1960, and 1972.  Our substation on Plymouth Street was built in 2001.

Past Chiefs of the Department