In 1906, the Corn Products Refining Company broke ground for a wet milling plant built on the prairie. By 1908, buildings were taking shape at C.P. and the company became concerned about housing for their foremen. By 1919, houses began springing up and foremen were able to purchase these homes from Corn Products Refining Company. The community was growing fast and in need of a name. Mr. Edward Thomas Bedford was the president of Corn Products at the time, and the community was given his name, which it still bears today.

As the community grew, it was obvious some form of government was needed, so in 1924, the Bedford Park Improvement Club was formed. Under this group guidance, the community grew and prospered. Even though the community had many plusses, thoughts of incorporation were in the minds of some of its leaders. All the water came from the deep wells in Corn Products, and word had it that there was danger of the wells running dry. Because of this, Bedford Park became an incorporated village in 1940.

A large source of worry to the newly formed government was fire, so shortly thereafter The Bedford Park Fire Department was founded on October 25, 1940. The men of the community rendered an all-volunteer service. The department’s equipment at that time was a two - wheeled hose cart, and in 1951 an emergency truck was purchased and a new fire station was built. In 1955, an ambulance was purchased, and a new fire engine was purchased in 1960. Also in 1960, the Bedford Park Fire Department purchased and accepted the delivery of the first Snorkel brand truck built for the fire service. It was a 75-foot aerial basket that was built on a GMC chassis. The truck was originally destined for the city of Chicago, but the Snorkel truck’s tandem axle was too big for the Chicago side streets. Chief Quinn of Chicago got together with Chief Husch of Bedford Park, and the Village of Bedford Park purchased the truck. The rest is history.

Today, the Bedford Park Fire department provides fire, rescue, emergency medical services, and hazardous material response to a predominantly industrial community with a daytime population of 45,000. Our village corporate limits begin two blocks south of Chicago’s Midway Airport, and the village borders the city of Chicago on two sides. Located within our 8.5 square mile village are 265 industrial and warehousing buildings, 6 hotels with a capacity of 882 rooms which make up the Midway Airport Hotel Complex, 15 commercial buildings, 2 large bulk chemical storage tank farms, a major rail switching yard, a major intermodal shipping facility, and a residential area that contains 236 single family dwellings. Fire department services are provided by 19 firefighters per shift from Three fire stations, separated by railroads that run throughout the village. The Bedford Park Fire department is proud of its ISO class 2 rating.

We respond automatic mutual aid to five bordering communities, and respond mutual aid to seventeen communities in the area for fire suppression and RIT assignments. We are also responsible for responding mutual aid to the city of Chicago and statewide for hazardous material and WMD incidents with a hazardous material squad. All of our personnel are trained to the hazardous material technician level, and Confined Space / Trench Rescue Awareness.

The Bedford Park Fire Department is proud of its tradition and progress. We will continue to provide the best service to our community and neighbors, because they deserve our best.