Delaware Historical Fire Society

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Delaware Historical Fire Society Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Delaware Historical Fire Society, Nonprofit Organization, PO Box 7096, 3911 Concord Pike, Wilmington, DE.

The Delaware Historical Fire Society preserves and celebrates Delaware’s firefighting legacy by restoring and sharing historic apparatus, equipment, and memorabilia—ensuring the fire service’s story lives on for future generations.

10/12/2026

Indian River’s Apparatus – Circa 1954

In 1954, the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company in Oak Orchard, Delaware, was operating three vintage fire apparatus that had been acquired in 1953:

1942 Chevrolet truck – purchased in August 1953 with $300 down and $35 per month for 30 months, totaling $1,350

1926 Reo fire truck – acquired in May 1953 from the Rehoboth Beach Fire Company

1946 Dodge water wagon – bought in April 1953 from C.D. Sapp, equipped with a water tank purchased from Pure Oil Company

Illustrated herewith is a photograph of these units.

Source: This information was obtained via the personal files and records of Leon W. Hall.

10/08/2026

Due to the impending storm and poor weather forecasted for this Sunday October 11, the Delmar Antique Fire Apparatus Association and the Sudlersville Volunteer Fire Company have rescheduled the DAFAA Fall Muster to Sunday October 25th. Thank you for your understanding with this matter. If you have any questions, please contact us at dafaamuster(at)gmail(dot)com.

10/06/2026

1968 Maxim Tanker
Ex. Ellendale, DE

🐢

Taking advantage of a little sunshine to juice up Ms. Maxine for next weekends muster is Suddlersville, Maryland put on ...
10/03/2026

Taking advantage of a little sunshine to juice up Ms. Maxine for next weekends muster is Suddlersville, Maryland put on by the DelMar Antique Fire Apparatus Association.

🚒 Two Great Events — One Busy Sunday! 🚒We’re keeping a close eye on the weather and hoping Mother Nature cooperates this...
10/01/2026

🚒 Two Great Events — One Busy Sunday! 🚒

We’re keeping a close eye on the weather and hoping Mother Nature cooperates this weekend! 🤞🌤️

If conditions allow, the Delaware Historical Fire Society is hoping to attend both of these great events this Sunday, October 4th!

🚗 Talleyville Fire Company – 20th Annual Car Show
📍 5500 Brandywine Parkway, Wilmington, DE
🕙 10:00 AM – 1:30 PM

🔥 Philadelphia Fire Department – Fire Apparatus Muster
📍 Delaware Avenue, between Callowhill & Spring Garden Streets
🕘 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

We’re hoping to get some of our historic apparatus out on the road and make appearances at both events!

🌧️ Our plans will depend on the weather, so stay tuned to our page for updates as Sunday gets closer.

10/01/2026



For today's "Throwback Thursday", we look back on the dedication of the first paramedic unit in New Castle County. The dedication ceremony took place in January of 1976 at Rodney Square in the City of Wilmington. Retired paramedics, current paramedics, New Castle County officials, fire service leaders, EMS agency partners, educators, and first responders will gather tomorrow evening at the Chase Center on the Riverfront in the City of Wilmington to celebrate 50 years of incredible service.

Cranston Heights Fire Company1923 U.S. Fire Apparatus – 350 GPM PumperThis 350 GPM pumper was purchased by the Cranston ...
09/30/2026

Cranston Heights Fire Company

1923 U.S. Fire Apparatus – 350 GPM Pumper

This 350 GPM pumper was purchased by the Cranston Heights Fire Company in 1923. It was the company’s second piece of motorized fire apparatus, following the purchase of a Ford in the early 1920s.

The 1923 U.S. Fire Apparatus pumper also began a tradition that continues more than a century later. It was Cranston Heights’ first white fire apparatus, establishing the distinctive color that the company has continued to use on its apparatus ever since.

The U.S. Fire Apparatus Company was located in Wilmington, Delaware, making this engine an especially significant piece of Delaware fire service history.

Built in Delaware and placed into service with a Delaware fire company, this 1923 pumper represents an important chapter in the early motorization of the Cranston Heights Fire Company and the history of fire apparatus manufacturing in the First State.

Question for our followers, what chassis was this built on?

University of Delaware Colburn Hall (now Lane Hall) Dormitory Fire - January 14, 1968In the early morning hours, fire sw...
09/28/2026

University of Delaware Colburn Hall (now Lane Hall) Dormitory Fire - January 14, 1968

In the early morning hours, fire swept through the lounge of Colburn Hall at the University of Delaware. About 145 male residents were forced out into the cold rain.

The blaze gutted the lounge and caused an estimated $75,000 in damage. Crews from Aetna Hose, Hook & Ladder, Christiana, Mill Creek, Cranston Heights and Hockessin all responded. Aetna's chief said the lounge was "fully involved" when the first engine arrived.

One student cut his wrist on a window while escaping the smoke-filled lounge. Fire doors kept the flames out of the student rooms, and everyone else got out safely.

Parked out front is Ladder 9, a 1951 American LaFrance 75' Aerial.

Volunteer Hose Company of Middletown - Late 80's / Early 90'sEngine 27-5, a 1973 Ward LaFrance from the Volunteer Hose C...
09/27/2026

Volunteer Hose Company of Middletown - Late 80's / Early 90's

Engine 27-5, a 1973 Ward LaFrance from the Volunteer Hose Company of Middletown, pumps flood water out of the Middletown Trace Apartments parking lot. Mud and ice from melting snow had clogged the storm drains, and 27-5 pumped nonstop for 8 hours to clear the lot.

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PO Box 7096, 3911 Concord Pike
Wilmington, DE
19803

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