Indian River Turns 60!

In 1953, various residents of the Oak Orchard-Long Neck area became concerned about the traveling distance that other fire companies incurred while traveling from the nearest towns of Millsboro, Rehoboth and Lewes. This traveling distance required substantial response times for fire apparatus and other emergency service personnel during periods of need. This extended wait period at the scene of unfortunate incident was the motivating criteria for the local residents to pursue the formation of a new fire company to serve Oak Orchard, Riverdale, Rosedale and Long Neck communities.

Many community members, desirous to be volunteer firemen, donated their time, money and resources to form this volunteer fire company. The first meeting of the proposed organization was held at the Indian River Hotel, a very popular entertainment place located on the waterfront in Oak Orchard at the time. Thereafter, regular meetings were held at various gathering places in the immediate area of Oak Orchard. In March of 1953, a formation committee filed information with the Delaware Secretary of State to be recognized as a legal corporate entity within the State of Delaware. The required filing fees of $21 were paid and this was the first check ever written by the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company, Inc. Granville Hastings was elected our first fire chief and Raymond Trice was elected our fire company president.

     While meeting at Short's Garage on River Road, a fire broke out in a nearby residence and the persons in attendance formed a bucket brigade and retrieved water from the Indian River bay. This fire was extinguished without any assistance from nearby fire companies.

 In March, 2013, the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company will celebrate its 60th Anniversary and wishes to acknowledge the dedicated and diligent cadre of volunteers who contribute their most precious resource - their time to respond to emergencies and other incidents in our designated territory of the fire district.  These firefighters respond to many types of incidents including fire suppression, fire prevention, vehicle and vessel mishaps, tidal flooding conditions, building collapse and medical assist incidents as well as many others. These firefighters undergo many hours of intense training in order to accommodate the demands of an emergency incident. 

Indian River is built upon many attributes that we believe is an integral part of our membership in the volunteer fire service. These attributes are integrity, stability, continuity, independence and excellence. These attributes are paramount to our continued existence!

Indian River is proud of its historical heritage and intends this commemorate this 60th Anniversary to recognize our community and acknowledge our gratitude and appreciation to our residential communities and their residents, our volunteers and their families, our friends and their neighbors, our corporate partners, as well as our neighboring volunteer fire companies and their families for extending tremendous amount of support and hospitality while shaping our past and creating our future.

Additional information regarding the historical milestone can be read via the attached link http://www.irvfc.com/history.cfm and highlighted below.

 Apparatus Acquisitions:

In April of 1953, the fire company exercised a $50 option to acquire land from Margaret Phillips for $700 and approved the acquisition of a 1946 Dodge truck from C. D. Sapp to operate as a water wagon with the water tank being purchased from the Pure Oil Company for $1. This was the first piece of apparatus acquired and operated by the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company. The second fire truck, a 1926 Reo Fire Truck, was acquired from Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Company for $2 in May 1953. The third truck, a 1942 Chevrolet Truck, was financed in August 1953 by offering $300 down and $35 per month for 30 months. By 2013, the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company housed and operated four Class A Engine/Pumpers; two vessels; two brush trucks; three utility vehicles; one 6,000 gallon tanker; a rescue unit; a ladder truck; a command vehicle; and a chief's car.

Facility Construction and Acquisition:

In 1953 and 1954, the formation committee held meetings at Curt Spicer's Store, immediately south of the current location in Oak Orchard. The first building used to house a fire truck was located on River Road across from Jack Birl's residence nearby the marshy area between Oak Orchard and Riverdale. The building was a wooded garage that was relocated to this location.

 In 2013, the volunteer service maintains a multi-faced operation with a significant amount of real estate holdings and facilities to provide the most proficient volunteer fire service organization to the residents and patrons of the Indian River fire district.