Wednesday January, 3 2024

Nature: Fire Chief Hayden Klingler Retires

Location: Station #1 – Oak Orchard

On Wednesday, January 3^rd, Chief Hayden Klingler stepped down from his role as Fire Chief on January 3, and will serve as Chief Engineer of the department to fulfill the duties associated with apparatus repair and maintenance.

Chief Klingler has led the department since January 2019 and has been with the Delaware Fire Service for the better part of five decades. Hayden joined the Delaware Fire Service in 1968 via the Holloway Terrace Fire Company where he served 10 years before joining the Christiana Fire Company in 1978 serving 27 years.  In 2005, Hayden joined the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company.

As Indian River’s Fire Chief, he has helped lead the community through many emergencies and completed many jobs and assignments.

“It has been an honor to lead and serve alongside many exceptional individuals within the Delaware Fire Service over the past 55 years with specific emphasis as Fire Chief in Indian River for the past 5 years. The experiences gained and the relationships forged will forever be cherished. I look forward to seeing Indian River continue to thrive and set benchmarks in community service,” Chief Klingler said.

Chief-Elect Steven Deery, Jr. identified that “…Chief Klingler has been a dedicated public servant who has helped our community both in times of crisis and in times of celebration.”

Therefore, the Board of Directors of the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company offers thanks to Chief Klingler for his commitment to our community and to wish him the best as he heads into next task within the volunteer fire service.

Chief-Elect Steven C. Deery, Jr. will assume the Fire Chief’s responsibilities and continue to manage day-to-day fire operations of the department effective immediately.

Chief Klingler ended by saying he is, “thankful, humbled, and blessed,” and wants to acknowledge everyone for their past support.