Emergency Preparedness & First Responders
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Bloomfield Center Fire Department
The Bloomfield Center Fire Department was founded in 1926. The District has three Fire Commissioners, all of whom volunteer their time, to hold these positions. The Fire District employs (3) full time and (8) part time Fire Dispatchers to cover its Communications Office, a Fire Marshal, an Assistant to the Chief, a District Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer / District Clerk, and a Business Office Clerk.
Blue Hills Fire Department
Founded in 1926, the Blue Hills Fire Department is a combination department consisting of over thirty volunteers and five career full-time firefighters. Thedepartment also includes a Fire Marshal’s office that provides fire prevention, suppression, and rescue services to 12,000 of the 21,000 residents.
BHFD is considered as District 3 on the East side of Bloomfield. The district consists of three fire houses.
Bloomfield Volunteer Ambulence
The Bloomfield Volunteer Ambulance Fund, Inc. is a 501(c) 3 organization, incorporated in 1977 with the help of local businesses. The businesses recognized the need to improve emergency medical services to the residents and visitors of the Town of Bloomfield, Connecticut.
The purpose of the Bloomfield Volunteer Ambulance Fund, Inc. is to raise funds for the sole benefit of the Bloomfield Volunteer Ambulance which is managed by the Bloomfield Connecticut Police Department.
Bloomfield Fire Department's Public Safety Guide
Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms monthly. Replace batteries twice a year and replace any smoke alarm that is 10 years old or older. Create and practice a fire escape plan. Every household member should know at least two ways out of each room. Establish an outside meeting place and practice the plan at least twice a year. Keep a fire extinguisher in your home that is up to date, and know how to use it effectively. Please place it in a visible, easy-to-reach area, such as near a door frame. Remember the acronym PASS:
- Pull the pin
- Aim low at the base of the fire
- Squeeze the handle slowly and sweep the nozzle side to side
- Store flammable materials safely Keep all matches and lighters in a high, locked cabinet away from children. Before leaving your home, do a sweep to check for lit candles, ensure the oven is off, and confirm doors are locked.
Backup Power Basics
Operate generators outside only, in a well-ventilated area. Place the generator at least 20 feet away from your home and keep it away from doors, windows, and vents to prevent carbon monoxide from entering the home.
Set up the generator on a dry surface, such as a tarp or board, to keep it from moisture. Aim the exhaust fumes away from your house.
Generator-related CO deaths occurred in 2020 alone, making generators the leading cause of consumer product CO fatalities.
From Stovetop to Table: Stay Safe
Cooking is a leading cause of home fires. Never leave food unattended on the stovetop. If you must leave the kitchen, even for a moment, turn off the burner.
Avoid wearing loose, dangling sleeves when cooking, as they can easily catch fire.
If you are baking or roasting, use a timer to remind yourself that the oven is on.
If a small grease fire starts in a pan, slide a lid over it to smother the flames. Turn off the burner and leave the lid on until the pan has cooled. Never use water to put out a grease fire.
Safe & Warm All Season Have your furnace, fireplace, chimney, and vents professionally inspected and cleaned at least once a year. This prevents the buildup of dangerous creosote and other hazards.
Keep all portable and space heaters at least three feet away from flammable materials, such as curtains, bedding, and furniture. Never place clothing or other items on a space heater.
Plug space heaters directly into a wall outlet. Never use an extension cord or power strip, as this can overload the circuit.
Always turn off space heaters when you leave a room or go to bed.
Use a sturdy metal or glass screen to prevent sparks from flying out of your fireplace. Place cooled ashes into a tightly covered metal container and move it outdoors at least 10 feet away from your home.
Never use ovens for heat. Ovens are not designed for home heating and pose both a fire and carbon monoxide hazard.
Staying Safe in Bloomfield: A Closer Look at Emergency Preparedness and Police Communications
Public safety in Bloomfield is built on two essential pillars: a strong emergency preparedness network and a dedicated, highly trained Police Communications Unit. Together, these services ensure that residents receive accurate, timely information and rapid response during critical moments—whether it’s a town-wide emergency or a single call for help.
Bloomfield Alerts: Stay Informed When It Matters Most
Emergency communication has evolved, and Bloomfield is committed to keeping pace. As more households transition away from landlines, the Town’s emergency alert system ensures every resident can stay informed through the method that works best for them—text message, email, pager, or even voice mail during extreme situations.
The Bloomfield Alerts system is designed for both emergency and significant non-emergency notifications.
Emergency alerts may include:
- Evacuation notices
- Shelter-in-place advisories
- Boil water orders
- Hazard-specific warnings requiring quick action
Non-emergency alerts may include:
- Major transportation issues
- Ongoing police or fire activity posing a community impact
By registering your address and preferred contact methods, alerts can be geographically tailored, ensuring you receive only information that is relevant to your neighborhood. While the service is free, standard text messaging rates may apply.
Residents who prefer SMS-only alerts can simply text BloomfieldCT to 38276, and a mobile app is also available for added convenience.
Inside the Communications Unit: The Heart of Police Response
Behind every emergency call is a team of civilian dispatch professionals working around the clock. Bloomfield’s Communications Unit, staffed by seven trained dispatchers and supervised by the Professional Standards Division Sergeant, operates 24/7 as the first link between the public and public safety services.
Dispatchers handle far more than emergency communications. They serve as a community touchpoint, providing:
- Directions and general inquiries
- Lost and found assistance
- Safety advice
- Coordination for police, fire, and other community services
When to Call 911—and When Not To
Using 911 responsibly helps ensure the fastest response when it truly matters. You should call 911 to:
- Stop a crime in progress
- Report a fire
- Save a life
For all other concerns that still require police assistance, residents should use the non-emergency line: 860-242-5501. Proper use of the non-emergency number keeps 911 lines open for life-threatening situations, where seconds can make all the difference.
What Happens When You Call? The Critical Role of Dispatchers
When you dial for help, your call becomes part of one of the most crucial functions in the entire public safety system. Dispatchers are responsible for:
- Listening carefully to the caller
- Asking the right questions to identify what’s really happening
- Assessing and prioritizing the situation
- Making fast decisions on how to field and route the call
- Coordinating multiple police units
- Communicating clearly with both officers and residents
The decisions dispatchers make often shape the entire police response. They work under immense pressure—balancing speed, accuracy, and clarity to ensure that officers are sent to the highest-priority, most life-threatening calls first.
Prepared, Connected, and Committed to Public Safety
Bloomfield’s emergency preparedness efforts and Police Communications Unit work together to protect residents with a system rooted in speed, accuracy, and community trust. Whether it’s through receiving timely emergency alerts or speaking with a dispatcher during a stressful moment, residents can be confident that Bloomfield is always prepared to respond.
If you haven’t already, consider signing up for Bloomfield Alerts today—your family’s safety may depend on it.