ABOUT THE DELAWARE FIRE SCHOOL AND IT'S HISTORY
Over five decades ago, a group of ambitious men from the Delaware Fire Service organized the
first formal training programfor the volunteer firemen. For many years, the Educational Committee
of the Delaware VolunteFiremen's Association, supported by the Department of Vocational and
Technical Education carried on a valiant and rewarding program to provide training for the
firemen in the state. They held classes in abandoned houses, in sandpits, at schools, in fire
stations, and any other location that they could find. During this time, the dream of a permanent
training center took root and grew, nourished by the ideas of many dedicated>
Actual design for the center began in November 1964 when the Delaware State Fire School was created as a State agency. With the financial backing of the State Legislature, the staff and the architect began to sort ideas to fit the needs of the fire service, and to visit other training facilities to review the good and bad points of each. Finally, a plan was developed which, interestingly enough, was not modified from the start, attesting to the original strength of the plan.
On November 12, 1966, the dream began to take shape as a reality when Governor Charles L. Terry, Jr. turned the first spade full of earth, officially starting the construction.
The original Classroom and Administration building was divided into three sections. The western end housed the office of the director, senior instructors, administrative offices, and locker facilities for the staff and students. Either a hallway or a closet separated each of the four classrooms in the center section, thus allowing for maximum soundproofing. The third section of the Administration building originally housed the cafeteria, a completely equipped kitchen, and an apparatus room. In 1970 with the addition of the warehouse the apparatus room was converted into an auditorium.
The drill grounds included a network of roadways connecting the various training areas. The Structural Fire Building serves as a multi-purpose building. The right side of the building simulates a regular 2 1/2 - story dwelling, with the left side simulating a commercial or industrial building. The Control Tower is the nerve center of the training complex. From the windows on the second floor, the visitors and safety officer have an unobstructed view of every one of the different training areas. The original construction also included a Breathing Apparatus Building that offers a special facility for training firefighters in the use of all types of breathing apparatus under actual smoke and darkness conditions.
During the mid 1970's four pole shed type classroom structures were erected on the drill grounds. These outdoor student areas are equipped with chalkboard and electricity.
During 1978 a new training area was constructed as the Flammable Gases Training Area, located between the pump house and the Liquids Training Area.
The current Classroom and Administration building bears little resemblance to the original Administrative Building. During Fiscal Year 1981, 16,200 square feet of additional administrative, classroom, and cafeteria areas were added to meet the growing and expanding needs of the Fire School. The modern facility can comfortably accommodate approximately 700 people for learning, workshops, meetings, or for any purpose in which large numbers of people assemble.
During the summer of 1984 the Flammable Liquids area was reconstructed to upgrade the original liquids training area. And the late 1980's added another addition to the west end to house the Fire Prevention Commission and their Secretary.
Throughout the 1990's many different projects were completed that added to the ability of the school to conduct and improve training. These included the construction of the Confined Space Training area and the Forcible Entry building, along with the replacement of the outdoor classrooms.
With the financial support of the State Legislature, the Fire School was able to construct two Divisions, one in Sussex County and one in New Castle County. These regional training centers allow the school to provide in-service training to our customers.
Beginning in the winter of 1996 the inside of the Administration building was repainted, and the classrooms upgraded with new audiovisual equipment and computer capabilities. The staff areas were upgraded with new furniture and computer equipment.
While the Classrooms and Administration Building are the focal point of the complex, the Drill Tower dominates the skyline. This original structure that has served many functions since the beginning was completely refurbished in the past year, ensuring that the structure would remain serviceable for another 40 years while at the same time making changes to upgrade this multi-purpose building.
The Delaware State Fire School has always continued to grow and improve. Plans are under way for the construction of a Fire Safety House, an Auditorium addition, and an addition to the Sussex Division. Today the complex of training facilities and the classrooms and administration building stand as a tribute to those dedicated men who had a dream. To a succession of governors who gave their unflagging support, to a succession of legislators who make the dream a reality, and to the thousands of firefighters for whom this center was built and is maintained.
