News

At the combined monthly meeting of the New Castle County Volunteer Firefighters and Fire Chiefs Associations on July 11, 2013, the Chiefs Association presented their Meritorious and Heroic Firefighter of the Year Awards. Chief Thomas P. Looney, Deputy Chief Jason L. Stiebel, Captain Timothy Laird of the Talleyville Fire Company, Chief Eric Haley and Assistant Chief Robert Lynch of the Claymont Fire Company were recognized for their Heroic Actions on January 22, 2013 during a working residential fire. Brandywine Hundred Fire Company Chief Thomas Finocchiaro wrote: “As Fire Chief of Brandywine Hundred Fire Company and the Incident Commander on scene during the residential fire on January 22, 2013, I hereby confirm the written account of the incident as prepared by Chief Eric Haley of the Claymont Fire Company. I am honored to support Chief Haley’s nomination of Chief Thomas Looney, Deputy Chief Jason Stiebel, Captain Timothy Laird of the Talleyville Fire Company, Assistant Chief Robert Lynch of the Claymont Fire Company for the New Castle County Fire Chiefs Association Heroic Firefighter of the Year Award for 2013. In additions to the above mentioned firefighters, I am also including Chief Eric Haley as part of this nomination. Chief Eric Haley also demonstrated exceptional lifesaving efforts during this difficult incident and was and essential part in assisting with the rescue of the two firefighters [Kyle Sweetman and Kyle Rice] both which had fallen through a collapsed floor. Chief Haley first assisted Firefighter Sweetman out from the basement, which followed with him returning to the rapidly deteriorating dwelling with the intention of locating and rescuing Firefighter Rice. At the combined monthly meeting of the New Castle County Volunteer Firefighters and Fire Chiefs Associations on July 11, 2013, the Chiefs Association presented their Meritorious and Heroic Firefighter of the Year Awards. Firefighter / EMT Timothy Moore, Firefighter / EMT Frank Schoeffler and Firefighter / EMT David Majewski Jr. of the Good Will Fire Company, No. 1 were recognized by the Chiefs Association for their Meritorious Service on May 21, 2013 for their response to a reported vehicle explosion. Good Will Fire Company Chief Richard "Chris" Robinson wrote: "Upon arrival of Engine 18-3 the crew was advised by New Castle City Police that an explosion had occurred and they were not sure what the cause of the explosion was. At that time the crew noticed a male subject lying on his back in the front yard of the residence in need of emergency care. The crew not knowing what possible dangers they might face responded to the male’s side, where they noticed multiple traumatic wounds from head to toe on the victim. At that point the crew realized they needed to rescue this person from the area. The crew quickly bandaged the most traumatic wounds, placed him on oxygen and removed him from what was then being called The Blast Zone. The male victim was then transferred to an awaiting BLS & ALS unit. The victim was transported and treated at Christiana Hospital within the "Golden Hour". The male subject was seriously injured after what was determined by Dover Air Force Explosive Experts and the New Castle County EOD Unit, to be a 40mm shell that had exploded spraying the victim with shrapnel. He remained hospitalized for several days and was later released. Explosive experts combing the scene found 11 more unexploded 40 mm shells throughout the day. This lead to the evacuation of about 30 homes in the area through the evening. Crews remained on the scene for approximately 13 hours. All of the officers and firefighters mentioned herein are truly heroes. Each of their actions, dedication to duty and experience truly made the difference in the positive outcome of this incident. FF Haley, FF Rice, and FF Schoeffler are also Christiana Fireman.