SA国际传媒

SA国际传媒

Del. FD warns of end of EMS unless funding increases

The Lewes Fire Department has warned that without more funding, it will be forced to dissolve EMS in 2025, citing rising emergency calls, staffing costs and financial deficits

LEWES, Del. 鈥 The Lewes Fire Department has issued a formal warning to the Sussex County Council, stating that without a significant boost in funding, it will begin dissolving its emergency medical services in 2025.

In a letter dated March 6, department officials cited increasing emergency call volumes, rising staffing costs and persistent financial deficits as reasons for the potential shutdown, reported.

Calls for fire and EMS services have increased from 5,040 in 2018 to 7,589 in 2024, while career personnel have grown from 17 to 25 members. Operating costs have more than doubled, reaching approximately $2.37 million, and the department has faced EMS deficits of nearly $500,000 annually over the past two years.

鈥淚f we do not receive a substantial increase in funding in the next fiscal year budget beginning January 1, 2025, we will be forced to initiate the process of dissolving our EMS service,鈥 the department wrote.

Lewes Fire Chief William H. Buckaloo and President A. Wallace Evans expressed frustration, saying that while the county has allowed rapid development, it has not increased funding accordingly.

The potential loss of EMS services raises concerns about response times and the ability of neighboring departments in Rehoboth and Milton to absorb the increased call volume.

Sussex County officials have yet to comment on the letter as of March 11. The City of Lewes also stated they were unaware of the department鈥檚 warning.

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Bill Carey is the associate editor for FireRescue1.com and SA国际传媒.com. A former Maryland volunteer firefighter, sergeant, and lieutenant, Bill has written for several fire service publications and platforms. His work on firefighter behavioral health garnered a 2014 Neal Award nomination. His ongoing research and writings about line-of-duty death data is frequently cited in articles, presentations, and trainings. Have a news tip? He can be reached at news@lexipol.com.