ANSWERING THE CALL: PART 2

Cape Region fire departments seek members

As population increases, demand rises for volunteers

Aaron Mushrush - February 16, 2023

Cape Gazette Editor’s note: In the first part of this story, leaders from the Cape Region’s fire departments discussed the increased number of calls for service in the last few years. Read Part 1 at www.capegazette.com/node/253399 or http://irvfc.com/gallery/detail/47277 ..  

Calls for service in the Lewes fire district have risen by more than 2,000 calls in just the last two years.

While Fire Chief Aidan Gause said it’s a product of uncontrolled growth in eastern Sussex County, Lewes Fire Department Public Information Officer Glenn Marshall says the rise in property values has also negatively affected the department’s membership numbers.

A new home in the new Tower Hill community on New Road is listed for $1.75 million, Marshall said. That creates a struggle with recruitment, particularly at Station 1 on Savannah Road, because most people who volunteer cannot afford to live nearby. While still expensive, Station 2 and Station 3 are located in areas more affordable than downtown Lewes.

An increase in traffic volume has also presented challenges for volunteers commuting to the station and again when responding in the apparatuses, Marshall said. As of Feb. 1, Station 1 has one fire engine crew on duty 24 hours a day for the rest of the year. The department has added two new career positions to maintain staffing levels. Gause said the new initiative will allow for quicker response times and improve efficiency by eliminating the drive to the fire station.

“We still have a strong core of volunteers, but if we didn't marry the two, we would not be as effective,” Marshall said about the mix of career and volunteer members.

Lewes now has a 25-member career fleet that is a mix of full- and part-time staff.

In Milton, membership has remained steady, which may not be great news. President Brian Reynolds Jr. said his department has retained members for a long time, but those same members are getting older.

Milton Vice President Johnny Hopkins said he’s seen younger people move away and retirees move in. 

Reynolds said they’ve tried to attract new members, but recruitment is a double-edged sword and he doesn’t want to burn members out.

“It's hard for us to say, ‘Hey, you need to go do this, you need to go do that,’ and, on the same token, still retain that person for when we have an alarm,” Reynolds said.

Hopkins and Reynolds said they are working to develop a recruitment program and have begun mirroring practices at other agencies.

They offer ride-along programs for prospective members to test the waters and have streamlined the application and vetting process. Hopkins said getting certifications can be tough for some, and some new members who thought they wanted to volunteer realize it is not for them.

Both men said they noticed working people have a harder time. Whereas employers in the past had a better understanding and were closer to town, jobs are now farther away and requirements are more rigid. Even if they are free to respond, the commute to the fire department can be difficult with the increased traffic volume. Reynolds said there are sections of town that are congested for most of the day.

Indian River Volunteer Fire Company is dealing with many of the same problems as Milton, as the burden of response falls 100% on the aging volunteer members.

“We have a senior staff. We have not been able to really attract many younger staff members,” said President Patrick Miller.

Miller said he believes it is a hardship for younger members to devote the time and resources needed to obtain the certification required to become a member. He added that the inability for younger people to find housing is a grave concern too.

The company is coming off a four-year program aimed at recruiting and retaining membership, made possible by a grant. Miller said it was successful at getting people to sign up, but there was large turnover.

Miller said members are not required to respond to a minimum number of calls, but they do need to attend six meetings and six drills every year. He said they manage members who have responded to stressful situations by making sure they are not taking on more than they can handle.

“We're always looking for volunteers, and we're willing to work with anybody in order to provide assistance and training to assist us,” Miller said.

“We're here to assist the community, so whatever it takes to get the job done.”

Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Company leadership noticed the need to rethink its recruitment process in 2018, ahead of a spike in calls for service. The ensuing program resulted in 56 new members, with 47 of them still on board. In recognition of those efforts, the International Association of Fire Chiefs Volunteer and Combination Officers Section awarded Rehoboth at their annual conference for their recruitment and retention. Rehoboth Vice President Warren Jones said about 400-500 people from across the country attend the event. How are they able to retain members?

“We put together a morale committee, and they develop things to keep people and families interested,” Jones explained one of the initiatives.

Over the course of the last year, they have held bowling nights, sponsored a trip to Jungle Jim’s, and held an awards night during their annual banquet to recognize the efforts of volunteers. During meetings they announce members’ birthdays and provide them with cupcakes, little things that Jones says go a long way for some folks.

What has come as an unwelcome surprise, though, is the rising cost of emergency vehicles, said Jones.

In 2020, Rehoboth purchased a new truck for $600,000; it now costs $900,000. Recently, a new ambulance was purchased for $300,000; the price of a new ambulance is now $400,000.

“We just ordered a new ladder truck tower and it cost $1.9 million,” Jones said. “Two years ago, that same truck was $1.3 million.”

Half of the funding for the company comes from fundraising and donations. Associate members have assisted with fundraising, but donations can be inconsistent.

The company services 32 square miles, including Dewey Beach, Henlopen Acres, parts of John J. Williams Highway and south to the Indian River Inlet. There is no mandatory tax or donation system to directly benefit the company, but Sussex County does fund the remaining 50%. Jones said when the company solicits donations via mail, it only sees responses from 27% of the addressees.

All four fire departments are looking for more volunteers or people willing to help out any way they can.

There are tax benefits available and support systems in place for education and training. People of all ages and abilities are encouraged to apply.

Cape Region fire departments:

Lewes Fire Department Inc. – www.lewesfire.com

Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Company – www.rehobothbeachfire.com

Milton Fire Department Inc. – www.milton85.com

Indian River Volunteer Fire Company – www.irvfc.com