Details at this time are still coming in, however we do know that 2 Wilmington Fire Fighter's have lost their lives last evening at a house fire located at 1700 Lakeview Ave. Upon arriving the crews found heavy fire conditions with several folks reported trapped. The fire was in a row home on the West side of Wilmington and a floor collapsed trapping many firefighter's. Several firefighter's were able to self rescue. 2 firefighter were critically injured and is at Christiana Hospital. As more information is available we will post. Please join with us the members of the Clayton Fire Company in keeping the families of the firefighters in your thoughts and prayers as well as the entire Wilmington Fire Department. "RIP brothers we will take it from here."

Today at the Delaware Emergency Management Facility located North of Smyrna Governor Jack Markell signed into legislation HB 295 naming the training area the "James E. Turner III Educational Center" in honor of Clayton Fire Company member and long time DEMA director Jamie Turner. Jamie has a long history of public service. His grandfather served as a Major with the Delaware State Police and later as Chief of Police for the Dover City Police Department, Jamie's dad also served as a Captain with the Delaware State Police. Jamie has been a member of the Clayton Fire Company since 1968 serving as secretary and Deputy Chief as well as on many committees. Jamie served as a police communications specialist with the DSP assigned to Troop 3, a senior instructor at the Delaware State Fire School, Exe Secretary of the DVFA, and as Director of DEMA beginning in 2002 until his retirement in 2015. Jamie is also recognized as a leader in the Haz Mat community. The members of the Clayton Fire Company would like to say thank you to Jamie and his entire family for dedicated service to the citizens of Delaware. During the bill signing Major Vavala of the Delaware National Guard presented Jamie with the highest award the guard can present to a civilian the Guards Distinguished Citizen award. Photo's courtesy Kevin Wilson and Joe Jones Sta 45 and Kim Wilson.

Sunday September 18 and Monday September 19 the membership paid respect to Past Chief/Past President and Life Member Robert E. Berghorn. Bob as he was known to many passed away on Sunday September 11th. His viewing was held on Sunday and on Monday his services were held. Several members of the company also served as Honor Guards during the viewings. Over 40 members attended Sundays viewing while 33 attending his services on Monday, along with members of our Ladies Auxiliary. A special Thank You to the Harrington Fire Company for covering our district for the viewing Sunday and the Little Creek Fire Company for covering on Monday for the funeral. Photo's courtesy Gene Shaner and Jerry Hull.

Thursday afternoon at 3:47 the station was dispatched for the vehicle fire Millington Rd & Daisy Rd. Command 45 w/Capt. Wes Davis, Engine 45-4 w/5, Captain Alex Carrow and Rescue 45 w/4, Past Chief Jeff LIghtcap arrived to find a passenger car fully involved. The crew from the engine placed a line in service and was assisted by the crew form the rescue for attack and overhaul. Captain Davis had the Millington Road Command. Clayton had 22 members respond on the call. Photo's courtesy Jerry Hull Sta 45.

The company is mourning the passing of Past Chief/President Robert E. Berghorn. Mr. Berghorn or Bob as he was known by many passed away at Bayhealth Hospital in Dover on Sunday September 11th after a long illness. Past Chief Berghorn Joined the company in 1945 and was completing his 71st year in the company. He received his Life Membership in 1962. Chief Berghorn held many Fire Line Offices up to and including Fire Chief. On the Administrative side of the company Past President held many offices up to and including President. He also served on numerous committee's most notably the Apparatus Replacement committee where he served as chairman for 16 years and oversaw the design of all of our current apparatus. Mr. Berghorn was awarded Fireman of the year award in 1992 and Firefighter of the year in 2004. Bob was a World War II Veteran. Mr. Berghorn was also involved with the community outside the company including; Member of the VFW Post #8801 of Clayton, American Legion Post #14 in Smyrna, The Lillian Smith Senior Center where he was president and served on the board. He was a member of the Ewell St. Paul United Methodist Church in Clayton. Bob was elected to the Town of Clayton Council in 1994 and served until 2006, he was elected Mayor from 1997 to 2006. Services are as follow: Viewing for Past Chief Robert E. Berghorn Sunday September 18 from 2pm until 4pm at the Ewell St. Paul United Methodist Church at 401 West St in Clayton. Services will be Monday September 19 at 12 noon with a view from 11am until 12 noon at Ewell St. Paul Church. Burial will be at the Denton Cemetery in Denton Md.

The company took time Sunday evening to remember those lost in the 9/11 attacks on our country. Our department along with members of Citizens Hose Co., Cheswold, Townsend, Leipsic, Dover and Little Creek Fire Departments, American Legion Ambulance, Kent County Paramedics, Smyrna and Clayton Police Departments joined members of the Smyrna/Clayton Community at this annual event. This years guest speaker was Jimmy Hoppa from the Laurel Fire Depart. and also Morning Co-Anchor of WBOC News. The nations colors were present by the Honor Guard from First State Military Academy. The company had almost 40 members attend this years service. We must Never Forget!!! Photo's courtesy Jerry Hull Sta 45.

This weekend we stop to remember the terrible events of September 11, 2001. This year marks the 15th Anniversary of that day. On that day our nation came under attack in New York City, Washington DC and Shanksville Pa. Close to 3000 people died on that day including 343 members of the FDNY, 23 Officers of the NYPD and 37 Officers of the NY/NJ Port Authority. The company will once again take part in the Smyrna/Clayton 9/11 Memorial Service to be held on Sunday September11th at 7pm in front of the Citizens Hose Company on w. Commerce St. The guest speaker for this years event will be Jimmy Hoppa News Anchor for WBOC News. The public is invited to attend.

Finishing a busy week for the volunteers of Clayton where they responded to 14 calls since Sunday. On Friday the station was dispatched at 4:43am for a vehicle accident at S Rodney St & Wheatley's Pond Rd. Command 45 W/Chief Carrow, Rescue 45 w/5, Capt. Wes Davis and Engine 45-4 w/5, Firefighter Nate Decento made the response. Units arrived to find a 2 vehicle accident with EMS treating one patient. That patient was Transported to Smyrna/Clayton ER. Just after lunch at 12:22 the station was dispatched for the automatic fire alarm in a residence in the 500 block of E. Raddison Run in Hunting Mills. Engine 45-3 w/5, Past Chief Hurlock responded and found food on the stove and cleared. As the engine was on its way back from the AFA the station was dispatched for the residential structure fire in the 100 block of S. Bassett St. Only a few blocks away Engine 45-3 arrived in under 2 minutes and found a 2 story signal family residence with a day care with nothing evident. The crew from 45-3 secured a water supply and stretched the line. The crew from 45-3 found an active fire in the kitchen around a dish washer and cabinets around it. Engine 45-4 w/4, Firefighter Dave Ross secured the water supply to 45-3 and stretched the backup line. Ladder 44 W/ Lt. Steve Long arrived and handled the primary search. Quint 45 w/6, Capt. Alex Carrow arrived and handled the secondary search and throwing ground ladders. all searches came up negative. The fire was confined to the wall behind the dishwasher. Engine 44-3 w/4 FF Easley Pearson also made the response. The State Fire Marshals Office is investigating. There were no injuries to any civilians or firefighters. Past Chief Jeff Hurlock had the command. Clayton had 24 members respond on the call. Units responding; Engines 45-3, 45-4, 44-3, Quint 45, Ladder 44, Sta 45 & 44 Fire Police, Clayton PD, FM-19 (Billings). Photo's courtesy Joe Jones and Jerry Hull Sta 45.

Thursday just after lunch at 12:28 the station was dispatched for the engine cover to Station 51 Hartly. Hartly, Marydel and Cheswold units were working a residential structure fire. Engine 45-4 w/5, Capt. Ray Johnson made the response in a couple minutes. After just backing into Station 51 the engine was requested into the scene of the fire in the 500 block of Hartly Road. Engine 4 arrived and the crew assisted with overhaul and checking for extension. Chief Connors (51-15) had the command. Clayton had 22 members respond to the call. Photo's courtesy Firefighter Amber Johnson.

The last day of the month turned out to be a busy day for the volunteers at Clayton. The first call came in at 08:38am for a AFA in a residence the 200 block of Hollett's Corner Rd. Command 45 w/Chief Carrow, Engine 45-3 w/3, Dep. Chief Robert Davis and Quint 45 w/5, Capt. Wes Davis responded. The crew from 45-3 checked the residence and found a malfunctioning smoke detector. Just before lunch at 11:27am The station was dispatched for the engine cover to Kent County Md Sta 6 Chestertown. As the engine was waiting for a crew the station was again dispatched at 11:33am for a Cardiac Arrest in the 100 block of S. Longwood Lane. Rescue 45 w/5, Capt Wes Davis responded to the CPR while Engine 45-4 w/5, Deputy Chief Robert Davis handled the cover up to Chestertown. Engine 4 covered Chestertown while units from Kent County, Queen Anne's & Cecil County MD handled a large boat on fire in a marina in Rockhall. Once cleared and while returning to Clayton 45-4 was picked up to assist KCMD Sta 2 Millington with a AFA at the Millington Elementary School. They were returned prior to arrival. All units were back in quarters just after 2:30pm. Photo's courtesy Past Chief Kevin Wilson.

Tuesday morning at 07:17 the station was dispatched for the electrical hazard with wires down as a result of a traffic accident at Delaney's Church. Engine 45-4 w/4 Capt. Wes Davis responded. Just prior to arrival 45-4 was advised this would now being reported as injuries and they were adding Ambulance 64 to the response. the engine arrived to find a signal vehicle accident with a pole down. The crew form 45-4 administered care until the arrival of A-64. The injured was transported to Smyrna/Clayton ER. Capt. Davis had the Delaney's Church Command. Photo's courtesy Mike Carroll.

Sunday August 28 at 16:45 the station was dispatched for the engine to cover Station 26 Townsend. MOT departments were working a multi residential structure fire. Engine 45-4 w/7, Capt. Frank Sacco quickly made the response and short after going enroute were redirected into the fire scene for the RIT. The engine arrived to find MOT area departments on scene with multi hand lines in service for heavy fire in the rear of 3 townhouses and extending to a 4th. The engine crew established RIT until later being placed in service to assist with overhaul. Chief Bailey from Volunteer Hose Co, had the command. The engine was on scene for about 2 hours. Photo's courtesy Mike Carroll.

Saturday evening after our 2nd crab feast of the year at 9:46pm the station along with Ambulance 64, KM6, KM5, and Trooper 2 were dispatch for the accident involving a car and a motorcycle. Rescue 45 w/8, Capt. Wes Davis and Engine 45-4 w/6, Assist. Chief John Pridemore arrived to find ems crews treating the operator of the motorcycle who had serious injuries. The crew form 45-4 established a landing zone for Trooper 2. The operator of the motorcycle was airlifted to CER by Trooper 2. The 4 occupants of the car refused treatment. Rescue 45 remained on scene for til just after midnight to assist DSP with lighting for their investigation. Capt. Davis had the Command. While on this call the station also handle an assist for EMS on a traumatic injury on Millington Road. Utility 45 w/4 handled that call. Clayton had 28 members respond on the call. Units responding Rescue 45, Engine 45-4, A&B 64, KM6, KM5, Trooper 2, Sta 45 Fire Police

For the Second year in a row the fire company softball team came in 1st place in the lower bracket at the 35th Annual Seaford Vol. Fire Co. Burn Camp Softball Tournament. After starting out their Saturday morning with back to back loses the team rattled out a win Saturday night to send them to Sunday of the tournament then rattled out 4 straight wins to win their bracket. The true winners were the kids who suffer from burn injuries that the money goes towards to help with things like their annual Burn Camp. Congratulations to LIttle Creek Fire Company who again won the upper division at the tournament and our neighbors from Citizens Hose Co. who finished in 4th place in our bracket. Team members were, Coach Brian Johnson, players were Alex Carrow, DJ Correll, Dakota Correll, Jack Davis, Pete Duca, Matt Jacobs, Jake Lucas, Jeff Mangess, Dave McGuire, Ryan Owens, Kenny Rife, Frank Sacco Iv, Jason Sacco, Dan Stewart.

Friday AFTERNOON AT 16:59 THE STATION ALONG WITH AMBULANCE 64, km6 AND trooper 4 were dispatched for the traffic accident involving a motorcycle on Blackbird Forrest Rd just south of Clayton Delaney Rd. Rescue 45 w/6, Capt. Wes Davis arrived behind EMS units and assisted with patient care and securing the motorcycle. Engine 45-4 w/6, Past Chief Jeff Lightcap and Brush 45 w/3, Lt. Craig Snyder also responded. The patient was transported to KGH by Ambulance 64 with half of KM6. Clayton had 24 members respond on the call. Units responding; Rescue 45, Engine 45-4, Brush 45, B-64, KM6m KM5, Trooper 4 and Sta 45 Fire Police. Photo's courtesy Joe Jones Sta 45.