Indian River reflects upon Calendar Year 2025….

As Calendar Year 2025 comes to a close, the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company is looking back with gratitude that the community stepped up to support our significant undertakings — with the expansion of our Long Neck fire station, procurement of new fire suppression apparatus and equipment as well as continuation of emergency response incidents within our and neighboring fire districts.

Over the past years, the fire company commenced with an ambitious fundraising capital campaign to fulfill our operational objectives, to update our Long Neck facility, to acquire superior fire suppression apparatus, and maintain our emergency incident responses. While these actual fundraising initiatives continue, the fire company has achieved major milestones towards accomplishment.

“We have known that what we wanted and needed for a number of years, that the cost was considered to be more than a substantial undertaking for our financial operations,” President Patrick Miller said. “We wanted to be realistic knowing that our apparatus replacement was paramount to our existence and that our facility need was sizable.  We wanted to facilitate a plan that would serve our growing community and organizational need for years to come,” he said, adding that fundraising would continue to be a significant undertaking for many fiscal periods ahead. Our community support has been phenomenal and continues to be a huge help.  Our corporate and community partners have been extremely generous.”

“We have been able to construct a new facility and renovate our existing building which will give us bunkrooms, better organizational quarters for our firefighters — they will now have functional area with designated purposes – sizable engine and apparatus bays, office space, radio (control) room, a kitchen, a lounge with a table they can sit at … I think it makes their life around the firehouse easier and more accommodating. Our firefighting personnel are spending a lot of time at the fire station and we want it to be as good as possible for them especially during periods of inclement weather.”

“One of the most fundamental and paramount things for the fire service … is that we were able to install automatic fire sprinklers throughout the entire building. Therefore, we can practice what we preach so to speak – fire safety and fire prevention.”

This new apparatus: Engine 80, which cost $841,000, has been in service for approximately 12 months and replaced a 2007 Engine which was sold, he said; Brush 80 was delivered and placed in service during the Summer of 2025 and costs $249,900 and replaced a 1999 Brush Truck which was sold; and the remaining unit – Squad 80, costs $914,495 was placed in service in late Summer of 2025 and replaced a 2001 Engine which was sold as well.  Additional updated apparatus equipment and tool allocations were $201,000 for these units.  These units are multi-facet and can perform functions and assignments as well as having the ability to carry personnel and large amounts of water to fires in rural areas.

Indian River’s emergency response incidents have increased approximately 28.9% over the past two calendar years.  In 2025, Indian River encountered inclement weather and environmental concerns with repeated winter storms - snowfall threats, erosion and tidal flooding concerns, and shifting sandbars which impacted water rescue response incidents.  Community development, transportation and infrastructure have assisted with this emergency incident growth and drove the need for additional fire company resources to accommodate the growing demand for emergency services.

Approximately, three years ago, Indian River commenced with two phased fund drive approach with one campaign for general operating needs and an additional campaign for apparatus and building needs.  These campaigns are in addition to our normal fundraising events (i.e., dinners, breakfasts, merchandise sales, hall and property rentals, et. al.) that are completed throughout the entire year. 

These initiatives have helped the fire company with an opportunity for community education and engagement regarding the fire company operations, fire suppression, fire prevention as well as dialogue for what the fire company needs to properly serve the community. 

All of these events and efforts will continue after the construction is completed, to fund the financial commitments that will continue for years to come.  The initiatives are good community engagement tools that greatly enhance the understanding that the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company is 100% volunteer, Miller said.

“We have a lot of corporate and community partners stepping forward and assisting with are fundraising and capital campaign efforts,” Miller said.  There are also many homeowner’s associations that have been instrumental with our fundraising efforts and we are very appreciative. “Our communities have been instrumental and extremely supportive and generous.  Everyone has stepped up,” he said.

Moving forward, all residents can expect to see fund drive mailers from the fire company twice a year. The first one will go out in or around April - May and will be seeking for capital campaign contributions and the second will go out in or around August-September and will be seeking operating fund contributions.

Construction Progress Links can be viewed at https://irvfc.com/gallery/detail/55185.

The Indian River Volunteer Fire Company is appreciative and grateful for all of the patronage and support.  Thank you.  Happy New Year.