Firefighter's legacy lives on in new 'fast and nimble' fire boat

The Norwalk Fire Department held a ceremony commissioning their new Fire Boat Marine Unit 238, the Robert Bedell at Veterans Memorial Park on Monday, Nov. 26, 2012 in Norwalk, Conn. Looking on was the family of firefighter Bedell who served the Department with distinction from 1975 until his untimely death in 2004, wife Linda Bedell, daughter Melisa Bedell, Suzanne Bedell with Kyla (granddaugher), Mason (grandson, in carriage) Matthew Bedell, Robert Bedell (grandson) and son Keith Badell. Photo: Cathy Zuraw

Common Council Member Michelle Maggio and Linda Bedell, wife of Firefighter Robert Bedell stand on the deck of the new Fire Boat Marine Unit 238 at Veterans Memorial Park on Monday, Nov. 26, 2012 in Norwalk, Conn. The vessel was named the Robert Bedell in honor of firefighter Bedell who served the Department with distinction from 1975 until his untimely death in 2004. Photo: Cathy Zuraw

Reid Maggio sits at the wheel of the newly commissioned Fire Boat Marine Unit 238, the Robert Bedell. The ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park on Monday, Nov. 26, 2012 in Norwalk, Conn. named the vessel in honor of firefighter Bedell who served the Department with distinction from 1975 until his untimely death in 2004. Photo: Cathy Zuraw

Lt Tim Morrissette speaks at the Norwalk Fire Department ceremony commissioning their new Fire Boat Marine Unit 238 at Veterans Memorial Park on Monday, Nov. 26, 2012 in Norwalk, Conn. The vessel was named the Robert Bedell in honor of firefighter Bedell who served the Department with distinction from 1975 until his untimely death in 2004. Photo: Cathy Zuraw

Linda Bedell, wife of Firefighter Robert Bedell stands on the deck of the new Fire Boat Marine Unit 238 at Veterans Memorial Park on Monday, Nov. 26, 2012 in Norwalk, Conn. The vessel was named the Robert Bedell in honor of firefighter Bedell who served the Department with distinction from 1975 until his untimely death in 2004. Photo: Cathy Zuraw

Mayor Richard Moccia with Fire Chief Denis McCarthy at the Norwalk Fire Department ceremony commissioning their new Fire Boat Marine Unit 238 at Veterans Memorial Park on Monday, Nov. 26, 2012 in Norwalk, Conn. The vessel was named the Robert Bedell in honor of firefighter Bedell who served the Department with distinction from 1975 until his untimely death in 2004. Photo: Cathy Zuraw

Mayor Richard Moccia with Fire Chief Denis McCarthy, Congressman Jim Himes at the Norwalk Fire Department ceremony commissioning their new Fire Boat Marine Unit 238 at Veterans Memorial Park on Monday, Nov. 26, 2012 in Norwalk, Conn. The vessel was named the Robert Bedell in honor of firefighter Bedell who served the Department with distinction from 1975 until his untimely death in 2004. Photo: Cathy Zuraw

Monsignor William Scheyd, the Norwalk Fire Department Chaplain delivers the invocation at the ceremony commissioning Norwalk's new Fire Boat Marine Unit 238 at Veterans Memorial Park on Monday, Nov. 26, 2012 in Norwalk, Conn. Also taking part, left to right, Chairwoman of the Fire Commission Carol Andreoli, Mayor Richard Moccia, Fire Chief Denis McCarthy, Congressman Jim Himes and State Representative Gail Lavielle. The vessel was named the Robert Bedell in honor of firefighter Bedell who served the Department with distinction from 1975 until his untimely death in 2004. Photo: Cathy Zuraw

Norwalk Fire Chief Denis McCarthy opens the ceremony commissioning the department's new Fire Boat Marine Unit 238 at Veterans Memorial Park on Monday, Nov. 26, 2012 in Norwalk, Conn. The vessel was named the Robert Bedell in honor of firefighter Bedell who served the Department with distinction from 1975 until his untimely death in 2004. Photo: Cathy Zuraw

Norwalk Fire Department held a ceremony commissioning their new Fire Boat Marine Unit 238 at Veterans Memorial Park on Monday, Nov. 26, 2012 in Norwalk, Conn. The vessel was named the Robert Bedell in honor of firefighter Bedell who served the Department with distinction from 1975 until his untimely death in 2004. Photo: Cathy Zuraw

Common Council Member Michelle Maggio and her husband Fire Captain Jon Maggio with their children, Reid, Chase and Kaitlyn watch the Norwalk Fire Department ceremony commissioning their new Fire Boat Marine Unit 238 at Veterans Memorial Park on Monday, Nov. 26, 2012 in Norwalk, Conn. The vessel was named the Robert Bedell in honor of firefighter Bedell who served the Department with distinction from 1975 until his untimely death in 2004. Photo: Cathy Zuraw

Scot Graham USCG Captain Retired and Liaison to the Region 1 Marine Operations Group speaks at the Norwalk Fire Department ceremony commissioning their new Fire Boat Marine Unit 238 at Veterans Memorial Park on Monday, Nov. 26, 2012 in Norwalk, Conn. The vessel was named the Robert Bedell in honor of firefighter Bedell who served the Department with distinction from 1975 until his untimely death in 2004. Photo: Cathy Zuraw

Norwalk Fire Boat MU 238 flows 2,500 gallons per minute from three deck guns at the commissioning ceremony Monday. Photo: Contributed Photo