Calling it a historic milestone, Christiana Fire Company on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, installed Kevin Cowperthwait, as the company’s first ever career fire chief.
He’s been the volunteer fire chief, re-elected annually, for several years.
The company ran over 4,000 fire calls and about 13,000 EMS calls in 2025, with a full time staff of 35, 60 part-time employees, and over 100 volunteers.
The company’s operating budget is about $5 million.
Cowperthwait started his fire service career in 1981 with Pennsville Fire Company in New Jersey, rising through the ranks to become chief, and joined Christiana in 2000.
He received Christiana’s Medal of Valor award in 2013 for assisting in the rescue of a trapped occupant in an apartment fire.
~ WDEL, Mike Phillips
