Indian River Bestows Chief Emeritus Title – Steven R. Hawkins

The Indian River Volunteer Fire Company is pleased to announce the bestowing of “Chief Emeritus” title to Steven R. Hawkins.

Chief Emeritus status is an honorary title for retired chief officers recognizing the type of meritorious service they provided to the community, fire service profession, and their local fire district. 

This nominee joined the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company in 1990 hailing from the Lewisberry Community Fire Company in Lewisberry, Pennsylvania outside of Harrisburg, where he was a member serving since 1966 and held many positions such as firefighter, EMT, Ambulance Captain, Assistant Chief up through the ranks of Chief and was elected as the Emergency Management Coordinator for the Borough of Lewisberry.

After relocating to Delaware in 1990, this nominee immediately joined the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company.

Since joining Indian River, this individual has devoted endless hours of dedication and diligence to our fire district and community.  This nominee has become an instrumental resource for our newer officers and members to pursue for guidance.

This member has a membership record filled with exemplary commendations and recognitions for some heroic firefighter actions during a horrific vehicle accident on John J. Williams Highway between Oak Orchard Road and Layton Davis Road. These commendations include:

• Induction into the Volunteer Fire Service Hall of Farm of the Del-Mar-VA Volunteer Firemen’s Association in May, 1999;

• Awarded Heroic Firefighter of the Year by the Sussex County Fire Chiefs Association in October, 1999;

• Award Life Membership in the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company in October, 1999;

• Awarded Heroic Firefighter of the Year by the Delaware State Fire Chiefs Association in November, 1999;

• Awarded Honorable Mention Recognition by the Eastern Division of the International Association of Fire Chiefs;

• Recognized by the Sussex County Council proclaiming and honoring December 1, 1998 as a day to honor this nominee;

• Awarded Heroic Firefighter of the Year – 1999 by the Delaware Volunteer Firemen’s Association; and

• Induced into the Delaware Volunteer Firemen’s Association – Hall of Fame in October 2000.

This nominee’s tenure with the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company has been multi-faceted and includes the following elected and appointed positions:  Firefighter, Engineer, Captain, Safety Officer, Second Assistant Chief, First Assistant Chief, Deputy Chief, Chief, Board of Director as well as many other leadership and advisory roles.

Therefore, based upon a nomination and recommendation to Chief Steven C. Deery, Jr. and President Patrick Miller, we hereby appoint and announce that Steven R. Hawkins shall be Chief Emeritus of the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company affective April 27^th, 2024.

Chief Emeritus Steven Hawkins was presented the following items:

• Distinctive Chief Emeritus Helmet & Fire Officer Frontal Shield;

• Distinctive Chief Emeritus License Plate;

• Distinctive Maltese Cross and Brass Bugle Chief Emeritus Recognition Plague;

• Delaware House of Representatives Tribute presented by the Honorable Jeff Hilovsky, 4th District Representative, and

• Delaware State Senate Tribute presented by the Honorable Gerald Hocker, 20th District Senator.

Please join us in recognizing and acknowledging Chief Emeritus Steven R. Hawkins for these achievements. 

This Chief Emeritus Title represents the third person to be awarded such distinction within the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company.  In previous times, Irvin W. Moore and Maurice A. "Snooty" Mosley each received such distinction.