DVFA History

In January 1921, a few firemen throughout the State of Delaware met in Milford for the purpose of discussing ways and means of organizing a State Association. At this meeting the Carlisle Fire Company of Milford was authorized to take the necessary steps to form a State Association. Notices were sent to all Volunteer Fire Companies throughout the State, asking them to send two delegates to a meeting at Milford, Delaware on February 24, 1921.

The following companies sent the following delegates:

Mr. Charles E. Varney of Carlisle Fire Company was made temporary Chairman and called the meeting to order. The following resolution was adopted:

“Resolved, that we, the delegates of the Volunteer Fire Companies in the State of Delaware, in convention assembled in order to form a more perfect organization, establish harmony, insure prosperity and success, obtain and compile statistics concerning the practical working of various apparatus, cultivate fraternal fellowship among the companies and promote the best interest of the Volunteer Firemen of Delaware, do hereby form an organization to be known as the Delaware State Volunteer Firemen’s Association.”

With the delegates from the nine companies present, Officers were elected and by-laws adopted.

The first regular convention was held July 1, 1921, as the guest of the Laurel Fire Department, with thirteen companies being represented. The Association has continued to hold conventions regularly each year with the exception of years 1942, 1943 & 1944 when gatherings were restricted by the war to executive meetings. Today, all 60 Volunteer Fire Companies in the State and 1 Associate Organization are members of the Delaware Volunteer Firemen’s Association.

On December 30, 1930, the Mutual Relief Association was organized and incorporated as a part of the State Firemen’s Association with a membership of 18 companies. This organization has grown to the present strength of 58 fire companies, and it is hoped that soon all the companies will be enrolled in the Mutual Relief Association. On January 20, 1974, the Mutual Relief Association severed all ties with the Delaware Volunteer Firemen’s Association. A new and separate corporation was formed and is now known as “Delaware Volunteer Firemen’s & Ladies Auxiliary Mutual Relief Association, Inc.”

The Volunteer Firefighters of the State can feel with great satisfaction that they have made the resolution, which was adopted at the first meeting, a true reality.

LADVFA History

The Ladies Auxiliary of the Delaware Volunteer Firemen’s Association has come a long way since its inception on September 9, 1937. The first meeting was held at Robbin’s Hose in Dover. The late Nan Laws Woods served as our first State President. On November 3, 1937, auxiliaries from Brandywine Hundred, Claymont, Christiana, Elsmere, Five Points, Hockessin, Minquas, Harrington, Selbyville, Seaford and Lewes met to establish and adopt the Constitution and By-Laws. Mr. Woods presented a gavel made and donated by Mr. Samuel Kaufman of Richardson Park to the Delaware Firemen’s Auxiliary Association. Dues were set at $1.00, and the first financial report read as follows: Receipts – $13.00, Record Book – $3.75, Treasurer’s Book – $ .75, & Postage – $ .23

One year later the ladies had earned $5,000.00, one half of which was given to the firemen.

Currently there are 56 auxiliaries in the State Association, 19 from New Castle, 17 from Kent and 20 from Sussex. The State Auxiliaries contribute to burn centers, scholarship funds for the firefighters, help burned out families with clothing, food and financial support, and they help each of their communities with many other worthy causes.

During the war years, a lot of auxiliary time was spent helping servicemen by doing Red Cross work, sending Christmas packages to soldiers and purchasing bonds. Because of the war, no record was found for a 1943 convention.

The fund raising of our organization changes with the times. Serving banquets, wedding receptions and public dinners have always been a mainstay. In years past, we manned carnival booths or had blanket clubs. Today, we sponsor dances, penny parties, craft shows and assist with bingo and casino nights.

During alarms, the auxiliaries assist our firemen by serving meals or snacks while our company is fighting fires or assisting with some other emergency. We reap our rewards by knowing we are providing an invaluable service to our firemen. Other rewards have come to us in the form of a pension plan and worker’s compensation insurance.

The support and assistance we render to our firemen is reciprocated with their support and assistance to us as we work together for the good of all Delawareans.