Firefighter Years of Service – Honorable Mention

Chief Emeritus Irvin W. Moore

In March 2023, the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company will be reaching its 70^th Anniversary Milestone and wishes to continue to identify and acknowledge the volunteer fire company personnel that assisted Indian River with achieving these milestones.

As you may be aware from our historical commentary, many community residents were concerned about the travel time and distance hat nearby fire companies incurred between the nearest towns of Millsboro and Lewes to mitigate an emergency incident in the Oak Orchard – Long Neck area.

Many of these community members were desirous to be volunteer firemen, donated their time, money, and resources to form the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company in March 1953.  The fire meeting of the proposed organization was held at the old Indian River Hotel, a very popular entertainment place located on the waterfront in Oak Orchard at the time.  

During this time period in March 1953, this formation committee filed information with the Delaware Secretary of State to be recognized as a legal entity within the State of Delaware.  Granville Hastings was elected the fire chief and Raymond Trice was elected the fire company president.  Thereafter, regular meetings were held at various gathering places in the immediate area until station was constructed. 

However, many personalities assisted with getting Indian River to where it is today and we would like to recognize the longest serving member of the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company with this Honorable Mention and brief history commemorating his tenure.

Applying for membership and joining in September 1954, as an inaugural group of junior members and being extremely active over the new few decades by serving in a variety of offices, committees, and positions to help out when needed.  These tasks  included but not limited to Second Assistant Chief, Assistant Chief Engineer, Chief Engineer, and ultimately Chief serving six terms during the years of 1972 thru 1977.  Being awarded a Life Membership for his dedicated and diligence service in the 1980’s and in December 1998 being awarded the Chief Emeritus title which was intended to recognize these outstanding membership achievements.

The Indian River Volunteer Fire Company would like to recognize our longest service member who has been affiliated with our organization for the past 68 years of its 70 years of existence!

Therefore, we take this opportunity to recognize Irvin W. Moore for his volunteerism and insight while serving with the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company as well as thanking him for his years of service.