State Representative Jeff Hilovsky hosts "Meet & Greet" Reception for Frist First Responders and Elected Officials @ Indian River

On Monday evening, March 11^th, Delaware House of Representative Jeff Hilovsky, 4^th District requested a “Meet & Greet” Event for the first responder entities within his election district which included:  Millsboro (83) Volunteer Fire Company, Georgetown (77) Volunteer Fire Company, Indian River (80) Volunteer Fire Company, Mid Sussex (91) Rescue Squad, and Georgetown (93) American Legion Ambulance.  Other invited elected officials included Delaware State Senators Brian Pettyjohn and Gerald Hocker, and House of Representatives Richard Collins and Valerie Jones Giltner.  The event was held at the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company and attended by the following first responder representatives:

• Millsboro – Ron O’Neal President of Millsboro and President of the Delaware Volunteer Firefighters Association and Jay Myers, EMS Supervisor

• Mid Sussex Rescue Squad – Nick Brittingham, EMS Supervisor

• Indian River – Patrick Miller, President; Steven Deery, Chief; Richard Zwiebel Assistant Chief; and Joseph Thompson, Member of Indian River and President of Sussex County Volunteer Firefighters Association.

The intent of the meeting was to discuss emerging issues and concerns of the first responders within this representative election district as well as collaboration to promote working relationships to foster support for the greater good. Topics included impact of growth and development within our region and how its impacting emergency services, recruitment and retention initiatives, sustainable funding for the fire and EMS services, impacts of recent legislative initiatives and regulations.

Similar meetings have been held in nearby fire districts to identify similar concerns and can be viewed at https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=334341406175713&set=a.112067551736434

Illustrated herewith are photographs of this collaborative effort.