On April 12, 2010, Bill Wanamaker, Fire Chief for the Sussex Fire Department, was the guest speaker. Bill is a third-generation fireman- his father was involved with the fire department, and his son is now a member. There is a 40 member force...
They are paid when they are called out, and all other hours volunteered. Last year they had a total of 3550 volunteer hours and 2200 of these hours spent in training. There is one paid firefighter at the station. They had approximately 199 calls last year (2009).
Sussex Fire Department holds recruitment each spring. They hold their training for Level One from January to March. There is a total of 220 hours of training for a new firefighter. They are called out to assist with floods, medical, hazardous materials, and smells in buildings. They provide tours for Guides, Scouts and youth programs and hold fire drills at seniors complexes twice per year. There is a fire program in the schools for children in Kindergarten through Grade 3. All their gear regularly tested. Each call they receive must be documented and the information submitted to the Fire Marshall’s office.
The Sussex Fire Department is planning on building a training tower in the Industrial Park. This facility will be used by other fire departments in the area as well.
Sussex Fire Department holds recruitment each spring. They hold their training for Level One from January to March. There is a total of 220 hours of training for a new firefighter. They are called out to assist with floods, medical, hazardous materials, and smells in buildings. They provide tours for Guides, Scouts and youth programs and hold fire drills at seniors complexes twice per year. There is a fire program in the schools for children in Kindergarten through Grade 3. All their gear regularly tested. Each call they receive must be documented and the information submitted to the Fire Marshall’s office.
The Sussex Fire Department is planning on building a training tower in the Industrial Park. This facility will be used by other fire departments in the area as well.
The life expectancy of a fire truck is 25 years.