Report highlights struggles and strengths in Sussex County volunteer fire departments

By Madeleine Overturf, WRDE News

GEORGETOWN, Del. —An interim evaluation of the volunteer fire service in Sussex County is offering a deep look at the financial sustainability of the system, highlighting both the value and the mounting challenges it faces.

The analysis, conducted by FACETS Consulting, is focusing on revenues, expenditures and long-term sustainability of the service. The analysis explored critical areas such as each company’s revenue drivers, the number of volunteer hours contributed, call volumes, infrastructure condition, and other components that varied department to department.

At Tuesday's Sussex County Council meeting, Kevin Roche with FACETS Consulting provided an update on what they had examined thus far, but not the specifics of what was uncovered. He noted the value the volunteer service holds from a governmental standpoint.

“The volunteer fire and EMS service are the best bargain local government has had in the last 200 years or more in this country,” Roche told Sussex County Council. "They take on quite a bit of a burden that's provided by local governments in many places."

Roche says a draft report in full detail, which will be presented to County Council by the end of May, is 544 pages long.

Rising Costs, Fewer Volunteers, and Growing Demand

The report identifies several key challenges:

• Volunteer numbers are dropping, a trend seen across all departments.

• Apparatus and fleet costs are surging, creating strain on already tight budgets.

• Demand for EMS is increasing, as more people rely on ambulance services.

Study Comes amid Recent Pleas for Help

Those findings have been vocalized by local fire departments recently:

• Just last month the Lewes Fire Department said it will be forced to dissolve its ambulance service if it does not receive more money.

• The Indian River Volunteer Fire Company says it is strained due to rapid growth.

• Bethany Beach's fire service posted a series of Facebook ads saying it is short in both money and volunteers.

Disparities in Departments

According to Roche's report, fire station locations and service areas in Sussex County have grown organically, with no unified strategic plan. He also said the monetary standing of each department differs dramatically.

"The financial condition of the companies varies widely across the county," Roche said. "There are departments that have no debt [and] significant reserves. And then there are companies that are really living hand-to-mouth."

For years, fire departments have told CoastTV that current funding is not keeping up with demand caused by population growth. What's more, the funding structure has also been criticized as it distributes money evenly across departments, regardless of their district size and call volume.

Roche said departments also face a demographic gap, with many older members and younger recruits but fewer volunteers in mid-life who are balancing careers and families. Roche said this is a concern across the board in the Sussex County volunteer fire service.

No National Standard, But a New Framework Proposed

According to Roche, there is no nationally accepted standard for evaluating the financial health of fire companies. To address this, the report introduces 13 evaluation factors- based on a financial monitoring handbook in Pennsylvania--intended to bring more consistency to future assessments. Roche said among the 13 factors are revenue expenses, cash position, debt, and the solvency of the company.

This FACETS report is one of three as each of Delaware's counties is conducting a financial review.

Next Steps

The draft report, spanning 544 pages, will be distributed to individual fire companies for review and comment. A revised draft is expected by May 1, with feedback due by May 15. The final report is scheduled for May 31, with a presentation to Sussex County Council planned for June.

Additional information may be viewed at:

1. WRDE News - https://www.coasttv.com/news/volunteer-fire-service-report/video_cb1abdc9-8260-5494-ac88-c0fce5c6990a.html