Sunday April, 12 2026 @ 01:17

Nature: Service Call – Fire – Assist Delaware State Police - Search

Location: Sea Esta 2 Motel

Address:  100 Rudder Rd Sea Farers Village, DE 19966

On Sunday April 12^th, the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company was alerted to assist the Delaware State Police with a missing person search in the Long Neck area. 

Emergency response units from Indian River included Utility 80-11 and UTV-2 and Utilty 80-8 with UTV-1 from the Oak Orchard facility and Incident Command 80, Rescue 80, and Brush 80 from the Long Neck facility responded to the designated staging location on Rudder Road in Long Neck.

Emergency response personnel were provided assignments with grid coordinates to search for a 19-year old person wearing dark blue t-shirt, blue jeans, no shoes, and glasses.  Specific instructions were to stop and contact the State Police Command.

When a fire company assists the State Police in locating a missing person with special needs (such as cognitive impairment, autism, or dementia), several structured elements are involved:

1. Coordination and Command Structure which includes:

• Incident Command System (ICS): Fire departments integrate with police leadership through ICS to maintain clear lines of authority. Fire personnel act under the direction of the Police Officer in Charge (OIC), unless local regulations allow autonomous operation.

• Pre-incident Communication: Fire and police agencies ideally coordinate protocols in advance, clarifying roles, communication channels, and staging areas.

• Joint Decision Making: Decisions about the search area, resource deployment, and safety procedures are collaboratively determined to avoid duplication or unsafe overlap.

The fire company typically provides search manpower, logistical support, scene safety, traffic control, and medical first attention, all coordinated under a joint command structure, with emphasis on clear communication, responder safety, and specialized search tools.  These multi-agency responses ensure rapid, organized, and a safe location.

The person was located and the designated protocols were followed.

All emergency response apparatus was authorized to return to their designated stations.