Perhaps paraphrasing Henry Hill’s famous opening line from the movie “Goodfellas” could best sum up the story of Bryon Burton: “As far back as I could remember, I always wanted to be a fire fighter.”
Burton, at age 30, was elected chief of the Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Company, thought to be the youngest in the department’s history. He comes from a long line of firefighters, including his grandfather and father.
“We actually used to live down the street from the firehouse,” Burton said. “When dad left, I would run down the street to watch the trucks go out.”
Burton was elected chief in January, running unopposed, something he described as a “pretty cool feeling.”
Burton described his rise up the ranks.
“I was lieutenant for two years, I was a captain for one year and been assistant chief every two years until now,” he said.
Burton took over the position from Harry Miller, who decided not to run again but still serves as the 1st Assistant Chief. Former Chief and current Deputy Chief Jeff Blizzard recommended Burton for the job.
“I took a shot at it. I have two young kids, they’re still young, so I told my wife I figured I better do it now while I got the opportunity. So I went for it,” Burton said.
During a fire, Burton oversees the operation, letting the officer-in-charge run the scene. Burton said his job was made easier by having two former chiefs in Miller and Blizzard under him. The job of chief also includes, as Burton said, “a lot of paperwork.”
Burton described what it is like to coordinate a large-scale firefighting operation, like the March fire at Irish Eyes in Lewes.
“There’s a lot going on, the adrenaline is flowing,” Burton said “Sometimes it’s hard but you got to try to keep a level head and make sure all the right things are being done and watch out for the safety of the other guys.”
The Rehoboth fire department shares a close relationship with its counterpart in Lewes’s Station 3, which operates as a joint station between the two cities.
“Right now, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, we’re on what they call dual response with Lewes,” Burton said. “Any time they have a working fire, we’re going. Any time we have a working fire, they’re coming.”
Burton has been a resident of the Rehoboth area all his life; his mother and sister are part of the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary.
He lived just outside of town until he was 11 and then lived in the Midway area for about 10 years before settling down in Beachfield.
In addition to his job as chief, Burton also manages a Super Fresh foods and also co-owns a landscaping business with fellow officer Don Mitchell Jr.
For more information on the Rehoboth Volunteer Fire Company visit www.rehobothbeachfire.com.
Contact Ryan Mavity at ryanm@capegazette.com
