News

On Monday, February 16, a crowd of 50 plus people attended the Millville Vol Fire Co's ground breaking ceremony at our substation on Omar Road. In attendance were Bob Ricker from the Delaware Fire Prevention Commission, Millville Mayor Don Minyon, Ocean View Mayor Gordon Wood, County Councilman George Cole, Ocean View Councilman Bill Wicham, Ocean View Police Chief Ken McLaughlin, and representatives from Morton Builders and Millville By The Sea. The crowd looked on as President Clarke Droney, Deputy Chief Doug Scott, and Building Committee Chairman Graig Temple, with shovels in hand and smiles on their faces, performed the ground breaking ceremony. This is the next phase following the afternoon of December 22, 2008 when with the stroke of the pen, President Greg Tietmeyer signed the contract between the Millville Vol. Fire Company and Morton Buildings, Inc. for the construction of a new 7,300 square feet substation at 34237 Omar Rd. in Clarksville. The new substation will take the place of the renovated farm implement building that has been serving as our temporary building for the past two and a half years. The new 81 x 90 building will have two drive-through bays, as well as two additional standard bays. The interior build-out will include four bunk rooms, a lounge, a radio room, and kitchen. A second floor mezzanine level will provide over 2000 square feet for future expansion. Energy efficient climate control and lighting will be provided through geothermal heating and cooling, and compact fluorescent fixtures. The projected cost of the project is $1.2 million fully equipped with furniture, appliances, computer and phone systems. The MVFC is still seeking donations to help fund this capital improvement project in service to our community. A special thanks goes out to Past Chief Graig Temple for chairing this project since January 2007. Timeline of Events -2004 – Company purchased an approximate 7-acre parcel of land on Omar Road to serve as a site for a substation due to housing expansion of the western side of the fire and ambulance district. -Nov. 3, 2005 – Letter of Intent sent to State Fire Prevention Commission to establish a substation. -Jan. 20, 2006 – Applied for zoning change to allow a fire department. Zoning change was granted Aug. 1, 2006. -Feb. 2006 – Requested permission for a temporary substation from the Delaware Fire Prevention Commission. -March 2006 – Demolition and clean up of the substation property, leaving a single farm implement storage building on the grounds that will serve as the temporary station. -Spring 2006 – A Building Committee was established along with a separate building fund for future construction. The planning phase is actively in motion. -April 15, 2006 – Started renovations on the implement storage building to make it acceptable for housing equipment and manpower. -June 21, 2006 – First day of formal operations with equipment and personnel from the substation. -Feb. 28, 2007 – Meeting with TENG, a consulting firm specializing in firehouse construction based in Chicago, Il., to decide if construction on the substation or the main station would be the priority. -Sept. 2007 – Determined construction on the substation would be the priority. -Nov. 2007 – Contracted with Karins Engineering, of Millsboro and Newark, Consulting Engineers and Land Surveyors. -Jan. 4, 2008 – Granted permanent substation status by the Delaware Fire Prevention Commission. -Aug. 10, 2008 – Decision was made to hire Morton Buildings of Morton, IL. As the General Contractor & Builder. -Feb. 16, 2009 – Ground breaking ceremony for substation at 34237 Omar Rd. -Oct. 31, 2009 – Latest day projected for the substation to be completed. “DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS PROUDLY SERVING OUR COMMUNITY”