An alarm is sounding among volunteer fire services — not only across the state but also throughout the country.
“We are talking about the need for volunteers across the state of Delaware,” said Jason McCabe, a Dagsboro Volunteer Fire Department member and training administrator for the Delaware State Fire School. “The majority of fire response in the state of Delaware is served by volunteers. And we are at an all-time low for volunteers and, at the same time, meeting an all-time-high need for emergency services.”
Millsboro Fire Co. president Ron O’Neal concurred.
“The volunteerism across the country is down. And the state of Delaware and Sussex County and everybody is feeling that pinch,” he said, noting that some companies aren’t in desperate shape yet.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, in 2020, there were 676,900 volunteer firefighters in the United States, compared to 897,750 in 1984.
While this sharp decline occurred, the country’s population grew from approximately 236 million to more than 331 million, according to the Retention and Recruitment for the Volunteer Emergency Services guide published by the U.S. Fire Administration.
It’s a trend evident in Delaware, too. The population is growing, but volunteerism has not kept pace.
For example, the Georgetown Fire Co. reports an increase in fire alarms from 579 in 2019 to 734 last year.
Seaford Volunteer Fire Department’s calls jumped from 735 in 2019 to 1,083 in 2023, with the count for this year at 842 and rising.
And the city’s emergency medical services responses increased from 3,324 in 2020 to 4,162 in 2023.
Mr. O’Neal noted a similar predicament for his company.
“Millsboro is ahead in both ambulance calls and fire calls this year. We’re looking (at), unfortunately, larger numbers than last year. I think probably everybody is going to be in that same boat, especially on the EMS side,” he said. “It has increased like crazy. With the (population) explosion in Sussex County — and it’s not just in Millsboro; it’s everywhere — we’re dealing with it the best we can.”
At the Oct. 8 Dagsboro Night Out, held during Fire Prevention Week, Mr. McCabe wore two hats — emphasizing fire prevention, safety and working smoke detectors, plus promotion of Sussex County Operation Gain Effective Members, a program for ages 10-15 that teaches about fire, rescue and emergency medical work in a safe and fun way.
“It is open for 10- to 15-year-olds to become CPR- and (automated external defibrillator)-certified, learn first aid and lifesaving skills and, at the same time, just get an exposure to what volunteer departments are all about,” he explained.
Free Operation GEM sessions are the last Sunday of each month, from 5-7 p.m.
“We are typically between the Dagsboro and Frankford or Millville fire departments,” Mr. McCabe said. “We branch out from time to time, just to take the cadets to a different area to see different firetrucks.”
Operation GEM was in high gear until 2020.
“We had 40 and 50 cadets. We almost had a 100% rate of ascension to (becoming) a member of the volunteer service in their area. (But) COVID hit, and it took an impact on everyone across the country, Operation GEM included,” Mr. McCabe added.
The effort was revived in 2023 and is recovering.
“Our most recent was a new member of the Indian River Volunteer Fire Co.,” he said. “We were tickled to see him get voted in as a member.”
Mr. McCabe also pointed out that joining a fire service is free.
“The only thing it takes is your effort … and some time,” he noted. “(But) I have missed my share of dinners.”
Such feeder programs are helpful, said Mr. O’Neal, whose reign as president of the Delaware Volunteer Firefighter’s Association ended Sept. 19 when he passed the reins to Claymont’s Tom DiCristofaro.
“We are very fortunate at Millsboro. We have a very strong junior program,” he said. “We also have picked up a number of members who have moved into the community and have retired from other fire companies, but they still want to be involved. ... They come to us with a wealth of knowledge and have been very beneficial in helping us out.”
Millsboro’s youth initiative starts at age 14 and continues to 18, when a participant can become a full member.
“You try to catch them when they are younger and hopefully keep that momentum going, as they go into their late teens,” Mr. O’Neal said. “There are a number of members that we have right now who are life members (and) have their 20 years and 25 years, who started out as a junior.”
Fire prevention is top of mind
While safety is always paramount, it is emphasized during Fire Prevention Week, which was Oct. 6-12 this year.
“We want, in the state of Delaware, to know how important it is to make sure your smoke detectors are working and make sure they are checked and realize that they don’t have a forever life,” Mr. McCabe said.
Mr. O’Neal added, “Most smoke detectors that you buy these days are 10-year smoke detectors. They do not have batteries that you can change. Basically, when it gets to that nine- or 10-year life span, you just throw them away and get a new one.”
Another tip: “It is a great idea to write the date on your smoke detector when you put it in. That way you know when it was installed,” Mr. McCabe said.
Detectors are available through the volunteer fire agencies.
“See your local fire department. Everyone in Sussex County and across the state of Delaware has a good supply of smoke detectors,” he continued. “We will be more than happy to give you one for free.”
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