The final call for Tim McClanahan

Members of the Lewes Fire Department stood in silent salute Sunday afternoon in front of Station 1 as the final siren sounded for one of their own.

It was the climax of a long, sad week for local first responders who turned out by the hundreds to pay their respects to 46-year-old Tim McClanahan during a pair of weekend viewings followed by a funeral service at Cape Henlopen High School.

McClanahan died tragically in a July 11 training accident when he fell from a helicopter during a Delaware Air Rescue Team training exercise at Delaware Coastal Airport in Georgetown.

Firefighters from around the region – some standing in line for more than an hour – filed by McClanahan's flag-draped, open casket prior to the service.

As they filed by – some kneeling and others saluting – images of McClanahan and his family and friends and extended first responders' family – covered a large screen. His favorite music – including songs by Garth Brooks – filled the high school auditorium.

The Rev. William Cocco of St. Edmond Catholic Church urged the large crowd to celebrate how McClanahan lived his life. "We need to be thankful for people like Tim who serve others and thank God for the gift of his life," he said. "We can learn from his example to service and preparedness. The true calling of discipleship is to live a selfless life."

Ted Robertson, a lifelong friend and fellow 1988 Cape Henlopen High School graduate, shared memories of growing up. He also spoke to Tim's children.

"Brenden and Mollie, it's OK to be sad and angry, but you must also be proud," Robertson said. "He loved what he was doing and was always able to get through barriers."

"Tim did things worth remembering," said his brother, Brion McClanahan, who lives in Phenix City, Ala. "He had Delaware and Sussex County running through his veins. He changed and improved lives around him and has left a void that will never be filled. We have to always remember what he did for this corner of the world."

Sean McClanahan, who lives in Lewes, said his brother loved to share his knowledge using teachable moments, and he has left one behind for him.

"I've lost the opportunity to make more memories and shared experiences with my brother," he said, adding they didn't take enough time to do things together; that's something he will always regret.

He said his brother's passing should serve as a reminder to everyone to put family and friends first. "We can't get bogged down by insignificant things," he said.

The Rev. Charlie Arnold, a member of Station 82, thanked the support surrounding fire departments have provided to Lewes and the McClanahan family over the past week, including numerous stations that stood by so Lewes volunteers did not have to respond to alarms.

"The best lesson to learn from this tragedy is to keep this going forward to provide whatever a brother or sister needs," he said.

It was Arnold who, fighting back tears, explained the significance of ringing a bell at a firefighter's funeral. The bell – sounded 15 times – is a symbolic gesture used to send a firefighter home when their task is completed.

Following the funeral ceremony, McClanahan's casket was placed atop a Lewes fire truck and escorted to Station 1 by more than 100 pieces of apparatus. The entire Lewes Fire Department marched behind the truck.

At the final call service at Station 1, members of the Delaware State Police Honor Guard removed and folded the flag draping the casket. In a touching moment, the flag from the service was presented to his son, Brenden, and his Station 82 helmet was presented to his daughter, Mollie.

McClanahan started his career in volunteer emergency service in 1991 and was a past member of the Milton Fire Department and an associate member of the the Ellendale Volunteer Fire Co. He joined the Delaware Air Rescue Team in 2010 in partnership with Delaware State Police. He led the Build the Boat campaign, designed the Lewes fireboat and was instrumental in developing the Lewes Fire Department water rescue program.

In addition to his brothers, son and daughter, McClanahan is survived by his parents, Mike and Rita McClanahan, and his fiancée, Kim Holler-Baker.