The company would like to welcome its newest member.  Samuel Richard Sawyer was born Friday February 5, 2010.  Samuel is the 2nd child of Nick Sawyer and his wife Karen and will be welcomed home by big sister Samantha.  Samuel weighted in at 7lbs 5 oz. and is 20 inches long. Congratulations to Nick, Karen and Samantha.

 

Friday morning at 05:35 the station was alerted for the Ladder to assist Queen Anne's County Sta 7 Crumpton on the 2nd alarm for the structure fire at Main St & 4th St in Crumpton.  Quint 45 w/6, Capt. Lucas responded within a couple minutes.  The Command officer also requested the Tanker Task Force when he struck the 2nd alarm and upon arrival requested a 3rd alarm alarm bringing Engine 45-3, Ladder 44, Engine 44-3, Tanker 51, Engine 51-3, and Engine 56-1 from Kent County De.  Engine 45-3 w/5, Past Chief Whalen responded.  Queen Anne & Kent County Md units arrived to find a structure well involved and spreading to several others.  The crews from Quint 45 and 45-3 assisted with extinquishment and overhaul.  Engine 45-3 was directed to the draft site at Crumpton landing to fill trucks shuttling water to the scene.  Clayton had 24 members respond on the call and had an additional crew in the station.  The last Clayton unit was back in station at 08:25 am.   Other Kent County units responding were Engine 43-4 covered QAC Sta 7 (Crumpton), Engine 46-4 covered QAC Sta 6 (Sudlersville), Engine 41-3 covered Kent County Md Sta 2 (Millington).   Photo's courtesy of Nevin Steffy from Millington Md. 

On Monday evening January 25th the company gathered for a training class on “MAYDAY”. The class was taught by training advisor Ray Johnson who played a video that discussed a “MAYDAY” incident that occurred in Fairfax County Md. where Ray works.  The video interviewed those involved in the incident. The class also went over Kent County’s “MAYDAY” policy and the different points of the policy. The beginning of the class members heard Asst. Chief Robbie Brode from Sta. 50 played a tape and talked about his “MAYDAY” from December 2008 and some of the issue’s that he came across during his incident. The company would like to thank Chief Brode for taking the time to discuss his incident with us. The company had 52 members attend the class. During the class the station was dispatched for a Ladder Company along with an Engine Company from Sta 44 to assist Sta 26 (Townsend) on a house fire 124 Ponders Lane. Quint 45 w/6, Asst. Chief Lightcap and Engine 45-3 w/7, Capt Ross were on the street in less than a minute.  Units staged on their units until returned by Townsend Command.       

Bertha Hudson was awarded the first ever 2009 Ladies Auxiliary Member of the Year.  Bertha attended 10 meetings, 30 of 32 functions, attended county meetings and the annual Delaware State Fireman's Conference.  Congratulations to Bertha Hudson for her outstanding accomplishment. 

Surrounded by the past fire chiefs in attendance, James L. Cubbage Jr. was named Fire Chief Emeritus from the fire company.  Jim became only the 4th person in the 118 year history of the fire company to receive this distinguished award.  The other members are E. Reynolds Bradley (Honorary Chief Emeritus) of the Citizens Hose Co. of Smyrna, William R. Carrow, both of who are deceased and Robert E. Berghorn.  Jim was recognized not only for his 45 years of dedicated service to the Clayton Fire Company but for his dedication to the fire service on a local, state, regional, and national level.  Jim received a resolution from the company along with testaments from the Kent County Levy Court Pres. P. Brooks Banta, State Senator Bruce C. Ennis, 14th Dist.  State Representative William  Carson, 28th Dist., Governor of Delaware Jack Markell  and U.S. Senator Tom Carper.  Jim was also presented with a white helmet with a gold leaf shield with his new title on it.  Also during the presentation the company present Chief Emeritus Robert E. Berghorn with a white helmet with gold leaf shield to recognize his prior award as a Chief Emeritus.  The company would like to congratulate Jim for his award and thank him for his numerous years of dedicated service to the fire service.  

     

During the Annual Appreciation Banquet Associate Member Cheryl Hurlock was name the 2009 recipient of the William R. Carrow Memorial Award for Fireman of the Year.  Cheryl, since joining the company has continued to excel and with her never say no attitude proved to be a great asset to the company.  Cheryl is also an active member and officer of the ladies auxiliary.  Cheryl with her hard work on the fund raising committee along with other members have done an outstanding job raising funds during this trying financial times.  During 2009 Cheryl attended the following;  48 fire calls, 71 fund raising events, 81 misc events, 24 drills, 10 uniform events and 12 company meetings for a total of 292 points.  The officers and members of the fire company would like to thank Cheryl for her hard work and dedication.  

During the Annual Appreciation Banquet Life Member Roland Timmon's was recognized as the 2009 recipient of the Firefighter of the Year Award.  This years winner was recognized for his "unselfish commitment"  to the company.  Described at a silent leader who leads by his actions instead of words Roland is an inspiration to the other members both young and old.  After joining the company in 1992 Roland quickly rose up and through his hard work became a very dedicated member of the company.  During 2009 Roland attended the following; 208 fire calls, 11 fund raising functions, 43 misc points, 29 company drills, 5 uniform events, and 12 company meetings for a total of 354 points.  The officers and members would like to congratulate Roland on his award and thank him for his hard work and dedication.  

During the Annual Appreciation Banquet Junior Member Sarah Davis was recognized as the 2009 recipient of the Steven Turner Memorial Award.  The award is given in honor of Steve Turner who was a junior member of the company and died from cancer at the age of 17.  The award honors Stevie's legacy and his never give up attitude.  This years  award winner attended the following during 2009; 167 fire calls, 40 fund raising functions, 69 misc functions, 17 company drills, 1o uniform events, and 9 company meetings for a total of 348 points.  Sarah joins several members of her family and the first mother and daughter to have won this award.  The officers and members would like to congratulate Sarah on her award.    

During the Annual Appreciation Banquet the ladies auxiliary honored several members for reaching milestones for Service.  President Nancy Scotton recognized two members, Phyllis Chase and Carol Davis with their Life Membership in the auxiliary.  Both Phyllis Chase and Carol Davis were recognized for the years of dedication to the auxiliary.  The highlight of the evening, for the ladies, was President Scotton recognizing Life Member Marie Faulkner  for her 50 years of service in the auxiliary.  Marie who is still very active in the auxiliary working dinners, fund raisers, and attending meetings was presented with a special award.    The officers of the auxiliary would like to thank these ladies for their hard work and dedication during the year.

During this years Annual Appreciation Banquet Cindy S. Scott received her life membership from company President John Pridemore.  Cindy, who is an associate member, recently fulfilled all her required years of active status to receive her award.  The company would like to congratulate Cindy on receiving her life membership. 

After being postponed due to a snow storm in December the company held it's Annual Appreciation Banquet on Saturday January 16th at the William R. "Ace" Carrow Memorial Hall.  The event is held to say thank you to all the members of the fire company and the ladies auxiliary for their hard work and dedication throughout the past year.  It is also a time to recognize members who excelled during the year.  The event had representatives from our mutual aid companies, local and state officials and is our way to say thank you for their help.  This years excellent meal was catered by the Cheswold Volunteer Fire Company Auxiliary.  The officers of the fire company and it's auxiliary would like to thank all its members for their hard work and dedication during the year, we would also like to thank our mutual aid companies, local and state officials for their support this past year.  We would also like to thanks the crews for Hartly Vol. Fire Co & Wilmington Manor Fire Co. covering our district so we could enjoy the evening.        

During the regular monthly meeting in January two members were recognized for responding to the most alarms and obtaining the most points during 2009.  Both recipients received awards to honor their accomplishments,

President Pridemore honored Firefighter Dave Carroll for obtaining the most points for the year.  During 2009 Dave attended; 222 fire calls, 45 fund raising events, 111 misc events, 34 in service drills, 11 uniformed functions, and 11 company meetings for a total of 490 points.

Chief Carrow honored Fire Policeman Wally Hudson for responding to the most calls during the year.  During 2009 Wally responded to 224 fire calls.   

Taking advantage of the recent cold spill members come together on Saturday Jan. 9 for a ice water refresher class.  Members first discussed different tactics used in ice water rescue, after a short class inside the members went to a pond at Olde Country Farms development for the outside portion.  With the temperatures at a balmy 25 degrees the members were put through several practical exercises.   The class was taught by Chief Lightcap who is also a Delaware State Fire School Water Rescue Instructor.  The company had 42 members take part in the class. 

ON WEDNESDAY MORNING SEVERAL MEMBERS ALONG WITH QUINT 45 PARTICIPATED IN A DEPLOYMENT CEREMONY FOR THE DELAWARE NATIONAL GUARD EMBEDDED TRAINING TEAM (ETT) AND THE 160TH ENGINEERING COMPANY. THE DEPLOYMENT CEREMONY WAS HELD AT THE NATIONAL GUARD READINESS CENTER IN SMYRNA AND WAS TO HONOR THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO WERE BEING DEPLOYED ON JANUARY 18TH.   MANY FAMILY, FRIENDS AND FELLOW SOLDIERS ATTENDED TODAYS CEREMONY. QUINT 45 ASSISTED LADDER 44 AND ITS CREW WITH A CROSSED LADDER ARCH TO DISPLAY THE AMERICAN FLAG FOR ALL THAT ATTENDED TO DRIVE UNDER WHEN ARRIVING AT THE CEREMONY. THE OFFICERS AND MEMBERS OF THE CLAYTON FIRE COMPANY WOULD LIKE TO JOIN THE OFFICERS AND MEMBERS OF THE CITIZENS HOSE CO. IN THANKING THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE ETT, THE 160TH ENGINEERING CO. AND ALL OUR MEN AND WOMEN WHO SERVE IN OUR ARMED FORCES AROUND THE WORLD TO KEEP US SAFE.  WE WOULD LIKE TO WISH THEM ALL A SAFE AND QUICK RETURN TO THEIR FAMILIES.     

Sunday morning at 03:41 Sta 45 for the Engine and Sta 44 for the Ladder Co. and Tanker were dispatched on the upgrade to assist NCC Sta 26 Townsend on the working barn fire at 724 Caldwell Corner Rd.  The initial alarm was Sta 26, Ladder Co. 1 & 27, and Tanker Co. 4 & 24, Kent County Md Sta 3 for the engine.  Rescue 26 arrived to find a large barn well off.  Ladder 44, Engine 44-3 and Tanker 44 were already on the street after clearing up from a Chimney fire and quickly made the response.  Engine 45-3 w/6, Asst. Chief Lightcap arrived to find 1st alarm companies with 2 hand lines, a portable monitor and ladder pipe from Tower 27 in service.  Crews worked several hours in wind chill's of around zero to bring the fire under control.  Water was shuttled to the scene from hydrants in Townsend.  Chief Martinez 26-8 had Townsend Command.  Engine 45-3 was back in quarters at 07:15.  Sta 45 had 27 firefighters respond on the call and had an additional crew in the station.  While on the scene of this call units were dispatched to Grears Corner Rd & Green Giant Rd in 1 & 27's local for a structure fire.  Units arrived to find a vacant 2 1/2 story house fully involved.  Since the structure was slated for demo units on that scene set up exposure lines and allowed the structure to burn.  Deputy Chief Watts Deputy 27 had the Grears Corner Rd Command.  Several units from the first scene responded to the second call.