Thursday October, 30 2025'k

Nature: Multiple Incident Responses - Automatic Fire Alarms - Residential (Single) - Smoke detector

• 07:32

  • Address: 32564 East Fairfax Ct Captains Grant, DE 19966

  • Cross Streets: Lord Calvert Dr/Dead End

• 08:06

  • Address: 35742 East River Dr White House Beach, DE 19966

  • Cross Streets: White House Bch/Dead End

• 09:34

  • Address: 30753 Waterfront Dr Stonewater Creek, DE 19966

  • Cross Streets: Hammerhead Dr/Dead End

• 17:00

  • Address: 25136 Tanager Lane Peninsula Lakes, DE 19966

  • Cross Streets: Dowitcher Ln/Dead End

On Thursday, October 29^th, the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company responded to four automatic fire alarm sounding incidents within its fire district that were non-emergency, false and/or nuisance alarms.

• East Fairfax Court – Captains Grant incident was a living room smoke detector – false alarm with proper passcode and wishing to cancel after apparatus enroute.  Chief 80-15 on location and Tanker 80 was responding when authorized to return to its respective quarters.   

• East River Drive – White House Beach incident was classified as a faulty detector.  Emergency units (Tanker 80 and Engine 80) did arrive at the actual location, completed an exterior evaluation and commenced with an interior evaluation before returning to the quarters.  Actual communication with out-of-town property owner was coordinated.

• Waterfront Drive – Stonewater Creek incident was classified as construction going on at the incident location, dust caused the smoke detector activation and proper passcode provided wishing to cancel.  Emergency unit (Tower 80) was responding and authorized to return to its respective quarters

• Tanager Lane – Peninsula Lakes was a smoke detector activation – false alarm with proper passcode and wishing to cancel after apparatus enroute.  Tower 80 was responding and authorized to return to its respective quarters.  

The Indian River Volunteer Fire Company faces significant operational, financial, and safety challenges due to reoccuring automatic fire alarm activations that are false and considered nuisance alarms.
 

These alarms occur when systems are triggered by non-hazardous conditions, mechanical failures, maintenance issues, or environmental factors (e.g., culinary issues, steam, dust, humidity, or electrical surges).  All of which are 100% preventable.