UPDATED: Gov Meyer Signs Several Measures Supporting Delaware Firefighters

September 9, 2025/Mari Lou

Gov Meyer at bill signing at Brandywine Hundred Fire Company in Wilmington / Image courtesy Delaware.gov

UPDATED – 09/09/25 – Legislation that support firefighters in Delaware have been signed by Governor Mike Meyer on Tuesday. House Bill 171 updates the Delaware Volunteerism Act to specify that high school students can complete their community service requirements and earn up to one elective credit by volunteering with their local fire departments. The other measure in Senate Bill 28 will provide $7000 in funeral expense coverage for deceased members of volunteer fire companies, ladies’ auxiliaries, volunteer ambulance and rescue companies.

Gov. Meyer also signed Senate Bill 86, which allows funding and donations to the Delaware Volunteer Fire Service Revolving Loan Fund to be made by any person, charitable organization and counties of the State and House Bill 124 which increases the maximum amount of fees that the State Fire Marshal can charge to reflect the increasing cost of services.

Additional information from the Governor’s office: 

“Volunteer firefighters save lives every day,” said Governor Matt Meyer. “As state leaders, it is critical that we create meaningful incentives to bring new volunteers into these essential roles and honor those who serve. These bills are an investment in public safety, in teaching the next generation, and in the dedicated Delawareans who answer the call when we need them most.”
 
A 2021 Delaware General Assembly Volunteer Firefighter Recruitment and Retention Task Force report found that there is a shortage of volunteer firefighters in the state. From 2009 to 2019, the Delaware State Fire School class size dropped from 408 to 189. Societal changes, like the cost of living, have directly contributed to this decline.
 
The report also found that in the last 30 years, emergency calls have tripled statewide.

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ORIGINAL STORY – 09/08/25 – On Tuesday, Delaware Governor Matt Meyer is expected to sign two bipartisan bills that support Delaware firefighters. The signing ceremony will take place in Wilmington. The Governor will sign Senate Bill 28, which relates to funeral expenses of a deceased member of a volunteer fire company, ladies auxiliary or volunteer ambulance and rescue. House Bill 171 updates the Delaware Volunteerism Act to specify that high school students may complete their community service with local fire departments to obtain up to 1 elective credit. Both measures were passed in the General Assembly with unanimous votes.

 

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