Delaware Firefighters Head to North Carolina to Help Hurricane Relief Efforts

WBOC TV Story by Madeline Overturf

DOVER, Del.- Over a dozen Delaware fire companies will spend the next week in North Carolina to assist fellow first responders in the aftermath of Hurricane Florence.

According to the Delaware Emergency Management Agency, 42 Delaware firefighters deployed Saturday morning. Fire companies from across the state responded to be part of the Delaware Structural Firefighting Task Force. Organizer Tucker Dempsey says the crews will be filling in at North Carolina fire stations, ready to serve in any way necessary.

"Maybe there is a fire company and all their members are worn out," Dempsey tells WBOC. "The idea was that they were going to go fill in at other peoples' fire houses and run calls for them."

Dempsey says the team was able to deploy in less than 12 hours after they were notified. The Delaware Structural Firefighting Task Force is scheduled for five full days of coverage in North Carolina, with two days of travel (one on each end). Dempsey says the firefighters will receive a federal per diem rate for their service, but for many it's about helping their surrounding states as part of a "mutual aid network."

"If a hurricane hits here we are certainly going to expect other states to do the same thing," he says.

Additional links and information can be viewed via the following;

The Delaware Structural Firefighting Task Force includes 42 firefighters from:

Citizens Hose Company

Cheswold Fire Company

Leipsic Volunteer Fire Company

Little Creek Volunteer Fire Company

Hartly Volunteer Fire Department

Felton Community Fire Company

Aetna Hose, Hook & Ladder

Hockessin Fire Company

Christiana Fire Company

Dagsboro Volunteer Fire Department

Frankford Volunteer Fire Department

Bridgeville Volunteer Fire Company

Lewes Fire Department

Video Links: 

http://www.wboc.com/clip/14626000/delaware-firefighters-head-to-north-carolina

News Article Links:

http://www.wboc.com/story/39097674/delaware-firefighters-head-to-north-carolina-to-help-hurricane-relief-efforts

https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/2018/09/15/delaware-firefighters-deploy-north-carolina-wake-florence/1316706002/ 

http://www.wrde.com/news-article/8502.htm

Information Status Update:

Delaware Firefighters Serving in Fayetteville, Morehead City After Florence

Story by Madeleine Overturf

MOREHEAD CITY, N.C.-- The 42 Delaware firefighters who deployed to serve North Carolina areas impacted by Hurricane Florence are now running calls for their fellow first responders.

On Sunday, the Dagsboro and Frankford volunteer fire companies reported they were in the Fayetteville area on standby.  Firefighters from Lewes are stationed in Morehead City and spent Sunday going door to door to check on evacuated homes and any who chose to stay.

Captain Chris Colpo tells WBOC the crews secured utilities at vacant homes, turning off the power to prevent potential fires or other emergencies. Colpo says their Saturday arrival provided the first break to the Morehead City firefighters who had been on shift since Tuesday.

"They are just awesome people," he tells WBOC. "They woke up and got right out of bed and offered us their beds in the middle of sleep."

Pictures from the Lewes Fire Department show downed trees, destroyed fences, and even docks and boats that have run aground. Colpo says some North Carolina firefighters are now heading to check on their families and any potential damage to their own homes since the Lewes firefighters will now cover calls for them. Colpo says Lewes has already responded to a reported working house fire (which was extinguished ahead of arrival) and also rescued a stray dog.

All the Delaware firefighters in North Carolina are part of the Delaware Structural Firefighting Task Force. The volunteers are scheduled to be there for the rest of the week.

http://www.wboc.com/story/39100647/delaware-firefighters-serving-in-fayetteville-morehead-city-after-florence

https://youtu.be/c89Jf6qLvQo