Milton Fire Department plans its future

As work continues enlarging the Milton Fire Department firehouse, the department is amping up a capital campaign to expand to meet the area’s growing population base.

The department has launched a $4.6 million capital campaign aimed at expanding its firefighting capabilities and has already raised $2.6 million, but is now looking at outside funding for the additional $2 million. On Jan. 6, department officials asked Milton Town Council for $150,000, and announced they were also seeking $250,000 from the state, in addition to looking for private donations.

Representing the department, Mike Rawl, president of Horizon Philanthropic Services, said if the department raises the additional $2 million, it would reduce the department’s loan burden by 50 percent, or $11,000 per year. With the additional money, Rawl said the department plans to purchase new equipment to replace engines that have been in service for more than 20 years. 

Rawl said, “The fire department needs to expand because of the population growth in our region. The number of people living here, both full-time and second homes, have tripled. The fire and emergency calls have grown.”

Rawl said the department’s District 85 covers 100 square miles; the department regularly assists eight neighboring districts.

 “It’s one of the largest districts in Sussex County,” he said, noting it bridges the coastal and inland areas.

The centerpiece of the department’s expansion is the renovation of the 50-year-old fire station on Front Street. After considering land outside town, the department estimated buying land and building a new station would cost $10 million. Since most firefighters live within 11 miles of downtown Milton, it was deemed more prudent and cost-efficient to expand the existing building.

Rawl said besides providing larger space for equipment, the renovated station will offer meeting rooms, locker rooms, bedrooms and living space that will ensure the department can be ready 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 

Rawl said additional amenities will also help with another major undertaking: recruiting and maintaining new volunteers. 

With the new volunteers comes the need for new equipment, which will not come cheap. Rawl said replacing the 1986 tanker pumping vehicle would cost more than $600,000. A new rescue truck is estimated to cost $400,000, he said.

“These are all custom made,” Rawl said of the vehicles. “They have to be ordered. They have to put 50 percent down. If we get some relief on the loans we can put that money toward that.”

Rawl said the capital campaign is scheduled to run through November. Fundraising will include a Fireman’s Fest put on by Dogfish Head at Hudson Fields in May and advertising on Draper Media platforms. 

“Our objective with the campaign is to give every individual and business in the Milton area the opportunity to participate,” he said.