Editorial

From the Editor’s Desk

Dennis Whittam, Editor Spring Has Sprung: Some Thoughts

I would like to take a moment to ask everyone to remember Dennis Smith. Dennis Smith was a retired FDNYfirefighter who wrote Report from Engine Co. 82 and was the founder of Firehouse Magazine, which went into publication in 1976. Firehouse Editor-inChief Peter Matthews said it best; “Dennis had the ability to share life-saving techniques to firefighters across the country and share the stories of firefighters around the world.” He impacted the fire service with his writings and with his hands on experiences as Captain of Engine 82. Dennis served during the “War Years” of the 60s and 70s, which was the busiest time in the FDNY. His writings motivated me to serve the volunteer fire service for almost 30 years and to join the staff of Fire News, which was started in 1973. Almost 50 years later Fire News continues to represent the fire service in a positive light. May Dennis Smith be remembered for his love of the fire service and making it what it is today. Dennis died on January 21, 2022.

Moving along to spring 2022; what are you doing to improve your skills to be a better first responder? Recently, the NYSAFC held the Long Island Metro Fire/EMS Expo at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. I had a smile on my face as I watched many of the attendees pack the seminar room to attend classes that were presented by many of the great names in the fire service. Thank you to those speakers, who spent time talking with our responders well after their classes were finished.

April is the month that our field training reopens at our county and state fire academies. Over the winter, most training facilities have been overhauled and set up to challenge firefighters with new evolutions to test the skills of firefighters throughout our country.

In my firehouse there is a list of the handson classes that responders must attend. The intense training is well received by most members. I encourage our chiefs to share their opinions of the evolution with the staff at the fire academy. Keep in mind that most academies will “tweak” an evolution to better serve a department that comes from a different locale. If you want to see a change in an evolution, discuss it at the firehouse kitchen and bring up your ideas at your town and county fire chiefs council where the suggestions will be brought back to the academy. Change happens with positive discussions.

In closing, I remember the recent loss of too many firefighters over the past few months. Fire News tries to honor everyone in our newspaper. This cannot happen if departments do not have an active Public Information Officer, who makes sure that Fire News has photos and a write up about the individual who has passed. I have asked many times for departments to make sure their PIOs get the word out to Fire News of all activities they would like to see in your newspaper. Yes, Fire News is your newspaper and represents your department. Please make sure we are kept abreast of what is happening in your department. You can email us with questions. The masthead on page 3 of every edition has an email address, so you can contact the newspaper with questions.

Stay safe and continue to train as if your life depends on it! - Dennis

Wilmington Residential Fire

At 0113 on March 9, 2022, Wilmington Fire units were notified of a residential structure fire on West 18th Street. Engine 5 arrived and began fire suppression efforts of a fire located on the third floor. Engine 1 assisted with a back-up line and secured a watersupply. Squad 4 completed a search of the building with Ladder1 and found no residents inside the structure. Ladder2 operated on the roof, completing vertical ventilation. The fire extended throughout the third floorand into the roof before units could fully extinguish it. No injuries were reported and command placed the situation undercontrol. The Fire Marshal’s Office was currently investigating. Approximately 35 fire and EMS personnel responded. The following units responded: Engines 3, 1, 5 and 2; Squad 4, Ladders 1 and 2; Battalions 1 and 2; FM-12; St. Francis EMS; New Castle County Paramedics; Wilmington License & Inspection; Wilmington Police; American Red Cross; and Delmarva Power. - Submitted by Matthew Marsella

Port Delmarva Travel Trailer Destroyed

Firefighters from Rehoboth Beach responded to a travel trailerfire on Henderson Drive in Port Delmarva off of Old Landing Road at approximately 1500, recently. Crews found two occupants outside the home and they were transported to Beebe Medical Centerin Lewes. Units remained on scene forapproximately 90 minutes extinguishing the blaze which consumed the residence. Lewes, Indian Fire and SCEMS assisted. The Delaware State Fire Marshall was investigating. - Submitted by Chuck Snyder

Serving Delaware’s First Responders Since 1921

DVFAOffice

Recruitment and Retention: The new coordinator for the Recruitment and Retention Program has been hired at the fire school. His name is Jeff Brown. He is the Chief of the Camden/Wyoming Fire Company. He is working on some really cool programs to help our recruitment efforts. If you have any ideas please contact Jeff.

Conference 2022: Conference 2022 will be held September 13-18, at the Chase Center in Wilmington. Rooms are available at the Westin and the Homewood Suites.

Conference Committee: The Conference Committee is looking for someone for the Exhibitors Committee. If interested please contact the Executive Manager.

SB189: SB189 unanimously passed the Senate and should have passed the House by the time this edition is printed. This bill increases the fire service tax credit from $500 to $1000.

Grant in Aid: After our meeting with the Governor the DVFAOfficer voted to recommending increases to Grant in Aid. We have developed a plan and had a meeting with the Governor's Office. We also scheduled a meeting with the JFC Chairs. More to follow.

If you need assistance for the DVFAOffice please contact us. Wishing everyone a great Easter and hope to see you at CFSI. Take care and be safe.

Warren Jones, Executive Manager wjones@dvfassn.com 302-535-4566 (cell) 302-734-9404 (fax)

by Dan Carrier, President, DVFA I would like to send my condolences to the Pridemore family and the Clayton Fire Company on the tragic loss of Fire Chief John Pridemore. Chief Pridemore lead by example and was a true leader in the fire service and in his community. He will be sorely missed.

DVFAPresident

The Delaware Fire Service has been dealing with a lot of fatal fires in the past three months. Please, if you need help dealing with what you are seeing and dealing with, don’t be afraid to ask for help. The Delaware Fire Service has a great group of people on the critical incident stress management team that are here to help, so please don’t be afraid to call them or ask someone to contact them for you. We all need to take care of each other. Our mental health is very important to keeping us healthy and safe. We are putting the final touches on the DVFA100th anniversary parade which will be held July 9, 2022, in downtown Dover. I am hoping each company in the state will participate in the parade. This is our chance to show the citizens of the State of Delaware who the fire service is. More info to follow in the coming months. I hope to see you all there.

Once again, thank you for what you do to keep the citizens State of Delaware safe.

by Pam Ingle., President LADVFA I cannot believe that I am half way through my year as President of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Delaware Volunteer Firefighters Association. Time goes by so quickly and we should cherish every moment we have. This position is such an honor and I cherish my time to serve as your President.

I am overwhelmed to see doors are opening up and restrictions are being lifted so that some of the auxiliaries are able to get back to at least some type of normalcy. It’s been a little rough to get the energies flowing again but it seems everyone is moving forward with their food sales, bingos and events. There is a great sense of accomplishment that should be felt by everyone. At times, I know some thought there was not going to be a light at the end of the tunnel but I’m hoping we all have a sun shining over the horizon soon.

At our Annual Conference in September 2021, the LADVFAreported that a total of $517,350.63 was raised from various fundraising events in all three counties. That total could include 2020 as well since we didn’t have a conference to report at, but even at that, it is definitely something we are very proud of. I can only imagine what we can do this year if we put our minds to it. Our missions are to support our fire companies and our community. We are proud and honored to work towards this goal.

Many thanks for all the invites to everyone’s banquets and events that I have received. They are all greatly appreciated. Happy spring to everyone!

LADVFACorner

FireNews.com Fire News, April 2022, Page 7 Fatality at Pike Creek

Valley Condo Fire

An early morning fire ripped through multiple condominium units at the Mermaid Run Condos in Pine Creek Valley on March 5, 2022. Numerous phone calls were received at the 911 Centerat 0247, reporting the building was on fire. Residents of West Brigantine Court scrambled through the building banging on doors warning theirneighbors. Firefighters arrived to heavy fire through the roof of the three-story building. Reports of people trapped were also received and one person was found dead. Asecond alarm was requested bringing additional resources to the scene including the New Castle County Fireboard Mobile Command Centerand St. Francis Special Operations team. Over 50 firefighters, EMTS and paramedics responded. Mill Creek Fire Company was assisted by Aetna Hook and Ladder, Belvedere, Christiana, Cranston Heights, Elsmere, Five Points, Hockessin, Minquas, Claymont, New Castle County Paramedics and New Castle County Police. The Delaware State Fire Marshal’s Office was investigating the cause of the fire. - Submitted by Jon Stewart

Millsboro Handles Truck Fire

On January 21, 2022, Millsboro Fire was called to a commercial box truck fire. On arrival the vehicle was fully involved and crews extinguished it with no injuries.

- Submitted by Larry Gum

Page 8, Fire News, April 2022 Cover Story

Clayton Fire Company Chief John M. Pridemore Killed in the Line of Duty

The Clayton Fire Company regrets to announce the passing of Fire Chief John M. Pridemore. Chief Pridemore was injured in a fall at the station on March 7, 2022 while conducting station clean up duties. Chief Pridemore died on March 8, 2022 at the Christiana Hospital.

Chief Pridemore joined the Clayton Fire Company in January 1991 as a regular member “stating he wanted to serve the community he lived in”. Chief Pridemore Served the Clayton Fire Company in many offices, the most recent as fire chief from 2021 to the present. Chief Pridemore served as vice president of the fire company in 2008 and 2012 and served as president from 2009-2011, he also served as company secretary in 2007. Chief Pridemore served as a fire lieutenant in 2013 and 2014, fire captain in 2015 and 2017, 1st Assistant Chief 2016 and 2018. In 2019 and 2020 he served as Deputy Chief and was elected chief in 2021.

Chief Pridemore’s service extended beyond his community, he served as the president of the Kent County Volunteer Firefighter’s Association in 2013 and Chief Pridemore served his county in the Delaware National Guard as a military police officer. Chief Pridemore was a third degree mason with the Smyrna Lodge.

Chief Pridemore is survived by his wife Kimberly, his daughter Amanda and her significant other Jorden, and son Michael, and his granddaughter Sadie. Chief Pridemore was currently employed by the Town of Clayton as the Town Manager.

Funeral services were held on March 15, 2022 in the William R. “Ace” Carrow Memorial Hall at the Clayton Fire Company. The family request any donations be made to the Clayton Fire Company PO Box 1050 Clayton, DE in Chief Pridemore’s memory. - Submitted by Kevin L. Wilson PIO, Headshot photo by Gene Shaner

Looking Back

Selbyville Restaurant 2015

- Submitted by Michael Lowe, photo by Barbara Walls

PepperRidge 2015

- DFSN photos by Dave Wilson

Lexington Farms 2015

- Submitted by Tim Murray, photo by Amy Murray

FireNews.com Fire News, April 2022, Page 11 Fatality at Omar

Road Fire

On January 2, 2022, at 1849, Sussex County dispatched Millville VolunteerFire Company fora garage fire in the 34000 block of Omar Road. In addition to Millville, Bethany Beach, Roxana, Frankford, Selbyville, and Dagsboro responded. Additional support units consisted of ambulances from Millville, Bethany Beach, Roxana, Sussex County Paramedic Units 100 and 105, and Fire Marshals 4 and 17. There were more than 32 pieces of apparatus at the fire. Assistant Chief Walt Johnson confirmed a working fire with a subject trapped on the second floor. This building appeared to be a large garage orutility building with living quarters directly above. The deceased was located within minutes of the first arriving units. - Submitted by Anthony Petralia

5 Rescued from Little Creek Blaze

On February 6, 2022, at 1212, Little Creek, Dover, Leipsic, Magnolia, CamdenWyoming, DoverAFB, and Kent County Department of Public Safety EMS were dispatched to a structure fire in the 300 block of Main Street in Little Creek. Crews encountered a two-story home on fire with heavy fire on the first floor. Aresident who jumped from the second flooron arrival of the firefighters advised that a child was trapped on the second floor. As the jumperwas being treated, a Little Creek firefighterentered the second-floorwindow and located and removed child, who was transferred to EMS. Firefighters from Little Creek, Dover, Leipsic and Camden-Wyoming located two other victims and removed them and turned them overto EMS. Atotal of five victims were transported to Bayhealth Kent Campus. DoverPolice escorted of the ambulances to the hospital. It took 82 firefighters a little overan hourto bring the fire undercontrol. - Submitted by Barry Laise

Fatality at DoverBlaze

Crews recently operated at the scene of a fatal fire in Dover. - Submitted by Mike Steindl

n January 27, 2022, at 1836, the Laurel Fire Department, along with Blades and Sussex County EMS were dispatched for a fire that had been feared for over 100 years: a building fire at the Rigbie Apartments on North Central Avenue.

Once a hotel in the middle of the community in recent years it had deteriorated and was being used as an apartment building containing 16 apartments, 11 of which were occupied.

First responding units arrived to find fire visible and upgraded the call to a second alarm, bringing Delmar, Sharptown and Seaford to the scene. Search efforts revealed all had been evacuated from the structure and an interior attack was initiated. Upon entry it was determined that the fire had extended up the walls of the balloon construction. Interior crews of Division 2 advised command they feared for the integrity of the floor. Athird alarm was requested adding Bridgeville and Gumboro, and evac tones activated.

Aerials were put in service from Laurel, Sharptown, Seaford, Delmar and Greenwood. Adraft site was established at three locations as the town water system could not keep up.

An outpouring of care from the citizens of Laurel assisted the fire department with care of those who were displaced. Ashelter was established at Laurel Fire Departments banquet hall. 55 residents were evacuated according to Incident Commander Givens.

Firefighters remained on the scene for 10 hours; the historic old structure was a total loss. - Submitted by Michael Lowe

Laurel Faces A“Once in a 100 Years” Blaze

NCC Paramedics Treat 2 in Arundel

On January 11, 2022, at 1102, multiple New Castle County Paramedic units responded to assist Mill Creek Fire Company fora house fire with possible entrapment in the 1200 block of Elderon Drive in Arundel. One occupant was transported by Mill Creek Ambulance in serious condition. Asecond bystander who assisted in removing the occupant was treated and transported in stable condition with smoke inhalation. - Submitted by Abigail Haas

Page 14, Fire News, April 2022

LadderAssist to Mill Creek

On January 11, 2022, about 1100, Five Points Ladder17 assisted Mill Creek Fire Company in the Arundel development. Ladder17, which was returning from a coverassignment in Newark, arrived as the first-due special service and was assigned to ventilate the roof overthe fire. Ground ladders were also placed around the house foregress of the interiorcrews. - Submitted by Charles Hayes

East ReamerAve. House Fire

On February 26, 2022, around 1930, Ladder16 was dispatched to assist Station 17 on an apartment fire in the unit block of East ReamerAvenue. Units arrived to find smoke showing from the second floor. Ladder16 arrived as the first-due special and began searching the fire apartment. Fire was found in the kitchen and dining area, and searches proved negative. - Submitted by Mark Facciolo and Charles Hayes; photo courtesy of Frank Martin, Jr.

1 Dead at Wilmington Blaze

Wilmington Fire Units responded to East 17th Street shortly aftermidnight on March 12, 2022. Crews were met with heavy fire and smoke conditions on the first floorof a two-story, middle-of-the-row, singlefamily dwelling. Engine 3 began suppression efforts on the first floorwhile Squad 4 began searching the residence. Ladder1 assisted with the search and started ventilating the building. Engine 2 provided backup lines to assist, while Ladder2 completed vertical ventilation. Aresident was found inside the structure by search teams on the first floorand transported to Christiana Hospital, but was pronounced deceased. No injuries to firefighters were reported, and the cause of the fire was investigated by the Wilmington Fire Marshal’s Office.

3-FloorFire in Dewey Beach

Rehoboth Beach VolunteerFire Company firefighters, assisted by Lewes and Bethany Beach, responded to a multi-residential fire on Bayard Avenue in Dewey Beach on February 19, 2022 at approximately 1930. Units arrived to find fire showing from three floors of the structure. A residential sprinklersystem confined the fire to Unit Aof the four-unit building with moderate damage to the exteriorof the structure. No injuries were reported as the occupants had exited the structure priorto arrival of fire crews. Fire units were on the scene forovertwo hours extinguishing the blaze. The Delaware State Fire Marshal was investigating. Thanks to all who assisted us with stand-by and SCEMS formedics at the scene. - Submitted by Chuck Snyder

Hockessin, Aetna Handle CarFire

Hockessin and Aetna Hose, Hook and LadderCompany were dispatched to a vehicle fire threatening a structure in Hillstream on February 2, 2022. Tanker19, Deputy 19 and Squad 9 arrived to find a vehicle on fire in the driveway with flames against the vinyl siding of the house. The incident was upgraded to a full structure fire response, bringing mutual aid from area companies. The Cshift crew from Tanker19 split with one crew checking the home and the otherquickly extinguishing the vehicle fire, removing the threat to the house. Squad 9’s crew assisted with overhaul and did a secondary search of the house. Deputy 19 had command and Deputy 16 secured the watersupply. Avondale covered. - Submitted by Mark Felicetti; photos by DC John Guzzo

Marydel Assists

On January 21, 2022, Marydel Station 56 forthe Tankerand Engine responded to assist Kent County (MD) on a working structure fire. Tanker56 underthe command of Chief Short responded to assist. Engine 56-1 underthe command of 1st Assistant Chief Bredin was directed to cover Chestertown Station 6. - Submitted by Mike Bredin, 1st AC

Page 16, Fire News, April 2022

Warehouse Fire in Bethel

On March 4, 2022, at 0230, Laurel, Blades, Seaford and Sussex County EMS were alerted foran outbuilding on fire on Aand K Lane, in the town of Bethel. Laurel Fire Chief Jeff Hill responded as 81 Command. He was advised that calls were reporting a large three-bay garage was involved with several exposures. Command upgraded to a second alarm, bringing Sharptown and Delmar. Engine 81-4 was first on scene with Assistant Chief Mike Lowe being assigned operations officer. Engine/Tanker71-2 from Blades established a watersupply along with E/T87-9 from Seaford. Seaford DC Matt Read was assigned sectorofficeron the C side. Crews made an attack with a 2-½ inch line and pulled an 1-¾ line to protect exposures to a mobile home. Additional tankers were requested from Bridgeville and Georgetown. The Delaware State Fire Marshal was investigating.

- Submitted by Michael Lowe

Blades Garage Fire

The Blades VolunteerFire Company, along with mutual aid crews, were alerted fora house fire on East 6th Street in Blades. Units found an attached garage with fire on the alpha side of garage. - Submitted by Jason Hudson, Fire Chief

Apartment Fire in District

Around 1935 on February 26, 2022, Engine 17 was alerted to an automatic fire alarm in the unit block of East ReamerAvenue at the Middleboro Crest Apartment Complex. As E-17 was responding, the alarm was upgraded to a multi residential structure fire adding additional companies to the response. E-17 arrived, dropping theirown supply line and reported smoke showing from the building adjacent to the original address. Engine -17’s crew located the fire in the second floorapartment and quickly extinguished it. Ladder16 (Elsmere) arrived as first-st special and provided searches along with R-14 (Cranston Heights), 2. There were no injuries reported and units were on scene fora couple hours. Companies responding were Five Points, Elsmere, Minquas, Belvedere, Cranston Heights, Mill Creek and Wilmington Manor. Companies providing cover-up coverage were Christiana and Hockessin.

Barbecue Fire in Seaford

Shortly before noon on January 14, 2022, the Seaford Volunteer Fire Department was alerted fora BBQ grill on fire. Command 87, Engine 875, Tower87 and Tanker87 made the response and arrived to find smoke showing from a reardeck. The engine crew knocked the fire down while the laddercrew checked forextension. Crews operated foraround 20 minutes. - Submitted by Robin Andino, Career Lt. SVFD

Gallo Road Stove Fire

Stations 47, 50, 78 and KM8 were alerted fora house fire on Gallo Road. Crews advised the fire was contained to the stove and held the assignment to Rescue 47 and Engine 50-4. - Submitted by Tom Williams

Harrington Assists Greensboro with House Fire

On January 24, 2022, at 1321, the Harrington Fire Company was alerted for the tankercompany assist to Greensboro Fire Company (Caroline County, MD Station 600) with a working house fire on Knife Box Road in the area of Punch Hall Road. Units arrived to find a two-story single-family dwelling fully involved with one resident suffering from second- and third-degree burns. Units placed a masterstream and several hose lines into service. Engine/Tanker 50-2 supplied units and assisted in the watershuttle. Denton, Ridgley, Goldsboro and Farmington also assisted along with Caroline County EMS. The burned subject was airlifted by Maryland State Police Aviation to a local burn centerin critical condition. The incident commanderwas Greensboro Fire Company Chief Jimmy Harvey. - Submitted by Earl Brode

FireNews.com

Fire News, April 2022, Page 17 Paramedics Treat Multiple Patients at Talleyville Fire

On January 8, 2022, at 1404, multiple New Castle County Paramedics were dispatched to assist Talleyville Fire Company fora house fire in the unit block of Bradley Drive in the Brookstone community. Paramedics transported two occupants to a local hospital in stable condition. Athird occupant was treated on scene and refused transport. Afirefighterworking to extinguish the blaze was treated on scene forinjuries, was also not transported. - Submitted by Abigail Haas; photo courtesy of John Jankowski

Camden Fire Stopped

On February 21, 2022, Camden, Dover, Magnolia and Felton were alerted fora residential structure fire west of Camden. Squad and Command 41 arrived to find a single-story residence with fire showing. Squad 41 and Engine 41 crews got wateron the fire while mutual aid crews performed searches and ventilation. Units operated forroughly 30 minutes to bring the fire under control.

- Submitted by Robin Andino, Career Lt. Seaford VFD