Chief Edward L. (Skee) Bigelow (Retired) brings to you
Fire Safety Now!
Edward L. (Skee) Bigelow followed in his family’s tradition of public service. This was started in the fire service by his great grandfather Henry H. Dickey, Foreman of Hose 4 Marlboro Fire Department. Henry Dickey retired in 1887. Chief Bigelow started his career at around 14 years old, hanging out at a neighborhood station. He worked his way up to call firefighter and then was appointed a permanent firefighter. Over the years he rose through the ranks all the way to Chief.
As a fire chief he was an innovator and implemented numerous objectives to improve both fire fighter and public safety. Chief Bigelow worked with the members to develop specifications for a new fire station, fire fighter turn out gear, breathing apparatus, dive team gear and apparatus. Union members developed the specifications; the Chief went looking for the money. He worked with the police chief and emergency management coordinator to develop and implement a combined dispatch E-911 Center. This upgraded to 800 band radio communications and dispatching. This move automated the administrative functions of the department.
Very difficult decisions and budgetary directives were followed through on as well. The hard wire fire alarm system was removed from the city. A radio box system was implemented. He reduced his administrative staff, revised the off duty response procedure, and revised the Engine company and the Rescue Company response protocols. The increasing of the engine company response led to the viability of a neighborhood station staying open and the relocation and building of a new headquarters station. Chief Bigelow worked with the developers of a large mall to secure funding for an Engine and Manpower.
Budget reductions were quantified and the Chief was able to equip and train a dive team, hi angle rescue team, and fire cause and origin unit and train haz-mat technicians. Chief Bigelow’s planning and implementations produced an improved ISO score for the city.
After two fire ground cardiac related injuries, that ended the careers of two veteran firefighters, Chief Bigelow introduced the Firefighter fitness coordinator workshop to the department and area departments. Soon after, The National Firefighter Combat Challenge came to town. During one year, Chief Bigelow was a regional finalist in the Combat Challenge.
During his career he worked at the Massachusetts Fire Fighting Academy, starting as an apprentice instructor. He worked under some of the most experienced Deputy Chief Officers and other fire officers in the state. Chief Bigelow participated in all programs. He drove apparatus for training events. He built, ignited, and extinguished fires for the arson program. He eventually became a recruit class instructor and a lead instructor for the civilian Fire safety Programs.
Chief Bigelow was chosen to develop and implement a fire safety program for the staff of Community Residences, by the Massachusetts Department of Mental health. This program was developed with Chief Phil Blye, Lt. Mike Skinner, Robert Dean Hallgren, and Thomas Morris. They hired and trained a crew of instructors to train 1500 people per year. Chief Bigelow retired in 1996.
The Chief went on to consult with various residences under different catholic orders as to fire safety and fire code compliance. These included training residents on the need for fire safety and smoke alarms. Privacy issues and rural settings complicated the issue. But code compliance was for saving lives and there was much rewarding dialogue.
After the Incident of September 11, 2001, Chief Bigelow remembered the Zarex Plant Explosion in Marlborough during the 1970’s.It appeared to be a fire and then explosion, but it was a terrorist bombing of the wrong building. The fire department found this out while overhauling the evidence. A dangerous lesson learned. With September 11th forever etched in his mind, and the realization of how every bomb threat has to be taken seriously, he hit the streets and went to work for a leading edge security company in Metro Boston. He was trained to the level of a Boston Special Police Officer. He worked as a mid night patrol manager at a major city hospital and trauma center. In this role he interfaced with Boston Police, Fire and Ems on a regular basis. He was an active participant in city wide disaster drills. He practiced security and surveillance techniques for possible terrorist activity or other criminal activity. He worked with a shift of both fixed post and patrolling guards on over 500,000 square feet of medical center, research labs and leased space. They restrained patients, dispatched for all hospital related services and delivered patients to their destination from the 7 the floor helicopter pad. He was in charge of all related issues involving the safety of the campus until relieved by higher authority.
As part of his duties for the company, he trained security guards on the company’s fire safety programs. He also trained on security guard interface with the Incident Command System, particularly if victims are brought to the hospitals from a disaster.
Chief Bigelow continued his interest in fire administration and was chosen to be the interim chief of the Lancaster Massachusetts Fire Department. This job was created to provide a foundation for a new chief to build on. Tragically, a line of duty death within the department before he assumed the role changed the towns plan.
Most recently he has worked for an experienced security and investigation firm in Florida. Here he worked for three of the most knowledgeable and experienced investigators from the state, local and federal levels of law enforcement. He continued his orientation into identifying and recognizing criminal intent, behavior and the opportunity for criminal acts. He learned the principles of armed protective coverage and escorts, with an emphasis on identifying threatening situations and recognizing when to use evasive, defensive, or offensive tactics in response. Hurricane Wilma provided work for the company throughout the area. They were called into service during the hurricane and provided security and fire watch details for many weeks.
Recently, he formed his own company to provide Private Investigative Services and Public Safety Training in southwest Florida. The loss of life and property from fire has remained the same, unfortunately. Most of this is due to the fact that contents of our homes planes, hotels, schools, nightclubs, etc. burn when ignited and give off deadly products of combustion. Continued fires in our homes and places of vacation coupled with the threat of the use of fire in terrorist activity prompted the development of two new programs. These programs are designed to give yourself, family, employees and friends a chance to be a survivor should disaster strike. Most importantly they are prevention and recognition programs designed for a proactive approach to your safety.
The concept of FIRE SAFETY NOW! is based on fire awareness, prevention, recognition and identification. This program should be a prerequisite before any other fire safety training program. You learn about incipient phase fires and how to extinguish them safely. The main focus is on fire prevention and pre fire planning and evacuation principles. We know we can’t prevent all fires, knowing how to react to one can be life saving.
Our programs introduce you to principles and procedures we need to survive public safety threats and dangerous situations. Learn the basics, give yourself a chance!!
Our programs are available for delivery anywhere! We will also custom develop programs for your particular situation. Learn the basics, give yourself a chance!!