History - Bethany Beach Fire Company

Howard Bramhall was acting Chariman of the organizational meeting that approved the forming of the Fire Company and conducted the meeting until Officers were elected.

First Fire Engine "Old Kate" American L. France purchased for $300 byt the Town of Bethany Beach from Selbyville Fire Company in order to help get Bethany's Fire Company Started.

First State Convention Delegates: William F. Wilgus, Jr. and T.G. Walston. Alternates : John Hargadine and Nelson Pepper.

First Fund Drive In July 1948 - Collected $390.

First response to a Fire Call in the fall of 1948.

First "By-Laws" adopted came from Dagsboro Fire Company. Used until own were made up and approved.

First siren donated by Ralph Gates of Chester, PA, February 1949.

Second Engine purchased April 11, 1949 from Millsboro Fire Company for $3,000.

Special meeting called December 2, 1949 for a vote to buy property of present location consisting of five lots and a used building of $5,000 from Phil Short, Sr. with $500 down and $500 annually at 5% interest. Approved. Prior to having their own building, all meetings were held at members homes.

Third Fire Engine purchased GMC via a motion by William F. Wilgus, Jr. approved by Horace Littleton, from Hahn Fire Company, Hamburg, PA, January 1952 - price $12,500.

Dedication speech by George Bissett, September 13, 1952.

First Bingo - March 1957.

Purchased Rescue Truck, June 1962 - $3,250

Purchased 2 1/4 lots in 1962, located next to our original 5 making a total of 7 1/2 lots at present location

At the meeting of August 12, 1963 it was approved that the Company meet the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month.

Purchased Ford Engine, September 27, 1965. Price equipped except radio - $22,500.

Purchased in 1968 International Beach Rescue Truck - $3,700.

Signed contract with Sutphen Fire Equipment Co., August 14, 1972 to purchase Model TS - 85 foot Telescopic Aerial Platform Fire truck for $124,111.50. Signing : Don WIlgus, Paul McCabe, Al Roger and WIllis Matthews.

At meeting of May 13, 1974 Fire Company via a motion by Hal Barber seconded by Horace Littleton approved by membership awarded contract for new edition to our building to D.F. Quillen - $66,500.

June 22, 1974 took delivery of Sutphens Aerial Tower 70-7.

August 30, 1975 new addition to building dedication and Housing of Sutphen.

September 13, 1976 authority to purchase new pumper 70-9.

December 13, 1976 resolved boundary dispute with Millville Fire Company.

February 1977, obtained generator, trailer and four-wheel drive vehicle from Civil Defense.

November 14, 1977 authority granted to relocate kitchen to provied space for recreation room.

February 1978 new pummper 70-9 arrived.

September 6, 1978 authorized interior walls to be renovated and painted.

September 28, 1978 recreation room completed, purchase of color TV and set up of pool table.

June 1978 celebrated our 30th Anniversary.

December 1979 Ordered new 1980 Ford rescue truck, from Swab Wagon Company - $70,428.50.

December 1979 Discussed possible sub-station at Fenwick Island.

November 1980 Purchased lots 21 and 23 block 108 from the Ewell family.

December 1980 Discussed leasing Ewell family property to Beebe Hospital.

April 1981 Four engine bay overhead doors replaced - $5,100.

March 1982 Ordered new Ford 15 passenger van - $13,565.68.

March 1983 Paid off balance of mortgage on Ewell property.

February 1983 Made an agreement with Beebe Hospital to lease Ewell Property from us.

July 1983 Engine 70-3 overhauled cost $3,900.

July 1984 Purchased new Motorola radio for chief $1,624.

September 1984 911 service was put into effect.

August 1985 Purchased 26 new pagers for top responders.

August 17, 1985 First fire company Casino Night (very successful).

April 1986 Purchased new kitchen equipment $24,660.

August 1986 Purchased new base station radio system $3,691.49.

July 26, 1987 Dedication of Station 2 in Fenwick Island.

October 1987 70-1 New Pierce Arrow Pumper $158,447.

May 1988 Purchased new Ford clubwagon van $15,635.

June 1988 Purchased new Ford 4x4 utility truck $16,138.58.

June Celebrated 40th Anniversary.

June 1989 70-2 new Pierce Pumpter $180,403.75.

June 1989 Major renovations done on fire house $73,149.

September 1990 Co-host of 70th Annual Firemens Convention & 53rd Annual Ladies Auxiliary Convention.

April 1991 First female firefighter.

October 1991 accepted from Station 88 Selbyville Vol. Fire Co. 4x4 Military vehicle 70-12.

March 1992 Jr. firefighter program started. Purchased 1992 Pierce Lance Pumpter 70-3 - $278,725.

April 1993 Purchased new air compressor system.

Purchased 70-8 1969 Kaiser 2 1/2 ton truck $5,100.

1994 Purchased new Ford Crown Victoria command car 70-15 - $20,523.11. New building added to house generator.

1995 Purchased new cascade system to be mounted in Station 1 - $36,000.

September 1996 Purchased new 1996 Pierce Quantum Rescue Pumper 70-6 $475,324.69.

January 1996 70-1- van turned over to fire police for traffic control.

October 1996 Made offer to purchase Bennett property, Kent Avenue.

1997 Ladies Auxiliary ordered new 1998 Roughneck 19 ft. boat with 40 HP Mercury motor.

June 20, 1998 Celebrated our 50th Anniversary, June 18, 1948 - June 18, 1998.

Put in service Marine 70, 1998 Roughnec 19 ft. boat with 40 HP Mercury motor.

1952 GMC 70-2 donated back to fire company by C.E. Rupert Smith.