Tuesday, March 11, 2025

Nature:  WMDT TV Features Indian River Renovation & Construction – Long Neck Facility Initiative

Address:  25375 Banks Road, Long Neck, Delaware

https://www.wmdt.com/2025/03/indian-river-volunteer-fire-company-in-need-of-funds-for-new-facility/?fbclid=IwY2xjawI9q0JleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHWRVgU3_gGcKzjg5C3K4IJO9GzWw6WIm_oinC8ghB-nlycM7PAVqI5YvKQ_aem_mMRGVSwj3nl-uwduZeR_SA

Blake Lipton, WMDT News

MILLSBORO, Del. – In the past five years, the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company has experienced a significant increase in demand and with the expanding area it serves, the fire company is looking at an expansion of its own.

“Our fire district in Sussex County is one of the larger growing fire districts in the county,” said Patrick Miller, President of the Indian River Fire Company. “We have a large number of developments and retirement communities, as well as residents that are relocating here because of the low property taxes and the amenities that are offered.”

With a growing need in the surrounding community, the Indian River Fire Company is looking to replace its station on Banks Road with a new facility.

“It will be four additional drive through bays as well as facilities, training room, meeting room, bunk room, an upstairs, it will have a second floor that can better accommodate the needs of the firefighters here at the station,” said Miller.

Miller said the previous building was built in 1972. In order to build the new $3.5 million building, the Indian River Fire Company will need help from businesses and residents in the area.

“We’re asking for the community cooperation and collaboration with raising funds in order to pay for the construction,” said Miller. “We live in an unincorporated, rural area, so we have no ability to assess taxes, we have no town or municipality that would be supporting us or contributing to that.”

In addition to not being connected to a town or municipality, another problem for the fire department is the lack of space needed for its equipment and fire trucks.

“We have two engines, a boat and a field piece in here which you can see is cramped,” said Charles Johnston, Firefighter with the Indian River Fire Company.

Johnston said he’s excited for the new facility.

“The growth of the traffic and the people, the accidents that we have is increasing ten-fold, so the expansion is going to be well appreciated and needed,” he said.

A groundbreaking ceremony for the new facility is scheduled for this Friday at 10 a.m. Construction is expected to take 10 months

Additional information may be obtained by viewing the following websites:

Indian River’s Renovation & Construction Project Initiative –

• https://irvfc.com/gallery/detail/53381 and

• https://www.wboc.com/news/indian-river-volunteer-fire-company-seeks-community-support-for-expansion/article_29e249ba-fdf1-11ef-aef2-c3caa6afe623.html

• Indian River Commences with Capital Campaign Initiative –

• https://irvfc.com/gallery/detail/53199?ss=1

Indian River Approves Capital Campaign Initiative Commencing in February 2025 –

• https://irvfc.com/messageCenter/detail?id=53196

Indian River Groundbreaking Event for Station 2 – Renovation & Construction Project –

• https://irvfc.com/messageCenter/detail?id=53392.