LEWES, Del. — 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, Coast TV 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.
“If 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,” 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’s warning.
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