EMS Service Dropped for Delaware Town

MILLVILLE, Del.-- Population growth and an influx of calls contributed to Millville Volunteer Fire Company's decision to discontinue ambulance service to the Bethany Beach area.

The discontinuation takes effect January 2009 and applies only to the Bethany Beach Fire District, from the Delaware-Maryland line to the inlet bridge, and includes Bethany Beach, South Bethany and Fenwick Island.

"We are interested in providing a quality ambulance service to all of our citizens currently served. However, this is becoming increasingly more difficult due to increased demands for service," said Douglas Scott, assistant chief for the company.

Millville's ambulance crew answered 1,806 calls for service last year, 544 in the Bethany Beach fire district, according to spokesman Bob Powell.

Powell added that the number of calls handled by the Millville Ambulance Service increases every year, sometimes by as many as 100 calls.

"With all of the development currently under way, and plans on the books for much more, we need to make sure that the citizens of the Millville Fire District receive adequate ambulance coverage," Scott said.

Bethany Beach Volunteer Fire Company has not made any decisions yet on how to handle ambulance service in the future, according to Michael Wilgus, past president and chair of the committee overseeing the ambulance situation.

Fire companies are only required to submit a 120-day notification for discontinuation of ambulance service to an area, so Wilgus says Bethany Beach has plenty of time to plan before 2009 rolls around.

"It's a good indication of how helpful they're going to be in this situation," Wilgus said. "We have a very good relationship with the Millville Fire Company."

The matter is currently being reviewed by the Delaware State Fire Prevention Commission, a seven-member commission appointed by the governor to oversee fire and ambulance services in the state. The commission will review the discontinuation and work with Bethany Beach on an appropriate substitute for ambulance service.

Wilgus says it's too early to say what will happen – whether Bethany Beach would explore contracting ambulance service or launching its own crew – and will have to wait for the fire commission's report before proceeding.

"We're going to let the situation develop ... and get involved when it's time to get involved," he said. "We're open to discussion. We just have to wait to hear from the commission and let it go through [the proper avenues]."

"We want to give the Delaware State Fire Prevention Commission plenty of lead time in finding an alternate ambulance provider for this area. We are trying to look forward, trying to look out for what is best for the community as a whole," Scott said. "I am confident that the commission, town and county government leaders, and the citizens of his area will come up with a solution that will provide better coverage than exists today."

For several years, Millville has placed an ambulance crew in Bethany Beach during the summer months in an attempt to lessen response times, especially to the Fenwick Island area. The program will continue through 2007 and 2008.

Millville provides emergency medical services for 38 square miles, including Millville, Ocean View, Bethany Beach, South Bethany, Fenwick Island, Middlesex Beach, Delaware State Seashore Park and all other unincorporated areas and developments along Route 1 from the Indian River Inlet south to the Maryland State line.

Millville's ambulance company includes four ambulances, six career employees, 15 seasonal employees and numerous volunteers.

Republished with permission of The Daily Times.