Lewes Fire Department launches fundraising crusade

Lewes Fire Chief Greg Bennett is frustrated. You can hear it in his voice and see it on his face.

Bennett said the department is burning through its $4.4 million budget trying to keep up with equipment and paid staff.

The Lewes Fire Department is a nonprofit organization, not connected to the city.

“The perception is the government is paying for us, because every time you call 911, somebody shows up,” Bennett said. “What you don’t realize is that people are getting beat down, gear is getting run down. We don’t have enough people to cover the call volume, and we’re robbing Peter to pay Paul.”

Enter Bernie Edmondson. Edmondson joined the Lewes Fire Department as a volunteer back in January. He was named the first chief marketing officer in the department’s 228-year history.

Edmondson is retired from the federal government and has a background in emergency services. But he saw an immediate need and created a strategy focused on corporate donations.

“The biggest impact in Lewes is all the development. We already have a system in place for residential and small contributors, so I’m focusing on home builders,” Edmondson said.

He has been knocking on those corporate doors, pledge form in hand. Sponsorships range from $1,000 for Firefighter Level up to $250,000 or more at Chief Level. Edmondson said the campaign is already paying off.

“I’ve been able to get funding from K. Hovnanian Homes, and the Pilot Corporation gave us a $1,000 grant,” Edmondson said. He said Carl M. Freeman builders have also made a proposal.

But, he and Bennett know they will need a lot more to keep up with rising costs of equipment and vehicles.

Edmondson’s sponsorship packet contains an Adopt a Firefighter program. It has the price tag for outfitting a single firefighter with a coat, boots, pants, a helmet and other turn-out gear they need to safely go into a burning building. The price is $5,144 for each set. 

Each firefighter requires two sets. Lewes has 157 firefighters. Bennett and Edmondson said, do the math.

“That’s $10,000 for every firefighter. The gear is only allowed to be used for 10 years or until it becomes so beat up we need to replace it,” Bennett said.

Bennett said that translates into $100,000 per year just for gear.

“Pick a truck,” he said pointing to the vehicles parked at Station 2. “We could get [that one] for about $850,000. An ambulance is about $300,000. We have six, and one gets replaced every year.”

Lewes also ordered a $1.4 million ladder truck in 2023, which has yet to be built.

Earlier this year, the department sounded the alarm to Lewes Mayor and City Council.

The city currently gives them a $75,000 donation. Bennett said that does not even cover the annual cost of one employee.

The department is seeking to have the city contribute 16% of its total budget, about $610,000, because 16% of its calls are in city limits.

“I think that was a wake-up call for them,” Bennett said.

The city’s financial stewardship subcommittee has started exploring new sustainable revenue streams to better support the department. The panel is expected to discuss recommendations at its next meeting Tuesday, Oct. 22.

Councilwoman Amy Marasco, who chairs the subcommittee, said a state fire-service study, that is expected by the end of the year, could change the dynamics.

“We love the fire department. We want to make sure they are OK financially, but we want to know what that impact of that is before we make a full commitment,” Marasco said.

Gov. John Carney signed House Bill 127 this year, known as the fire protection fee bill. It allows counties to impose a fee on properties to help fund fire departments. Bennett said Sussex County is considering a $5 fee, or door tax. But he said there are many details that have to be worked out before they would see a dime.

“It’s a good idea. It’s something. But, by the time this thing takes hold, the $5 is going to be woefully insufficient,” he said.

Meanwhile, calls continue to soar. Bennett said between Oct. 1, 2023 and Sept. 30, 2024, Lewes responded to 1,083 fire calls, a new record. He said EMS responded to about 6,500 calls, about 800 more than last year. Bennett called those figures unsustainable.

“We’re looking at 20 to 21 calls a day. So, the volunteers are done. Then, eventually, the career staff will get beat,” he said. “If we have to have more paid staff, we’re going to be over $3 million just in salary.”

The Lewes Fire Department covers a 54-square-mile area stretching from Milton to Rehoboth Beach to Millsboro.

Bennett said, despite his frustration, he continues to fight for critical resources.

“My mom died last year. She was older and lived alone. I said, ‘If she calls 911 and nobody shows up to her house, I’m going to be [upset].’ Everybody’s mom should have the same level of service. So, yeah, that’s why I do this,” Bennett said. 

For more information, go to the donation link at lewesfire.com.