About our Program

The Bedford Road Fire Department live-in program, founded in 2006 has been a foundation of recruitment and retention for the last 16 years.

The program was established to assist with the lack of volunteer coverage during the daytime hours and help with responses overnight. The live in program provides a staffed firehouse over 300 days/nights a year, cutting down on response times and adding additional personnel. The program initially was a college only program, requiring 10 credit hours a semester. In 2012, the program shifted gears to attract more members. The change meant you could be a live-in member if you attended college you would be accepted into the program no training needed, the work program required 20 work hours a week, but you had to already have either Firefighter 1 or EMT, which is where the program still currently stands today. Our program allows for dedicated individuals to get the feel of living in a fire house, gaining experience, career opportunities.

Training

Our program has set many live-ins on career paths in the fire service, with 8 of 15 previous live-ins obtaining career positions during their tenor. As with all membership, live-ins receive free Fire / EMS training through the University of Maryland, which the student receives college credits for. The program also offers, full paid tuition to members wishing to seek the paramedic program through Garrett College.

Dorms

Our program offers the live-ins privacy with full enclosed 12x12 bedrooms & Wi-Fi. A full kitchen upstairs as well as a lounge allows for schoolwork completion. The members have 2 full bathrooms, plus an additional engine bay lounge.

Requirements

Live-in members are required to sleep-in the fire house at minimum 4 nights a week, and must answer alarms 2 (EMS) & 3 (FIRE) hours prior to school or work respectively. Live-in members are required to complete daily and weekly house duties and station upkeep. (i.e. Mow grass, shovel snow)

Comments from previous live-ins

  "Being a member of a volunteer fire/rescue organization is a noble pursuit, but being a station live-in is rewarding in ways I didn’t know possible. As a live-in at Bedford Rd I experienced the fire service from a different perspective, and I supported the station by contributing to community events, public safety demonstrations, and apparatus maintenance all while saving on the cost of rent. After that experience, I chose to remain in the fire service, and now as a career firefighter, I look at how my experience shaped my career. I reflect on my time spent at Station 3 as a time where I was truly able to be a part of a community service family."        

 - Adam Carrier

Richmond Fire Department, VA

"Being a live-in member of Bedford Rd for 5 years helped me experience the fire department from the inside out. Being responsible for calls, station upkeep, daily house chores & attending as many classes as possible helped shape my career path. I was able to get more experience running calls since you are at the fire house a minimum 4 nights a week. Some days, with the fire house at the time being all volunteer, there were many instances where I would ride the seat as the officer which I was able to use to build confidence in myself and learn from mistakes. The department runs a decent amount of fire, which as an 18-year-old high school graduate got me hooked on the idea of doing this for a career, and the operational leadership helped guide me in the right direction and helped with studying for entry exams and interviews. The members of BRFD really made the program feel involved with their family events, which in return started lifelong friendships. The comraderie that comes with being a live-in at a fire station is unmatched and something you will not find anywhere else."

- Eddie Collins

Current Fire Chief BRFD

Prince Georges County Fire/EMS, MD

 We currently have 2 of 4 rooms available. If you are interested in learning more about this program contact us today!