Community Leaders Unite to Ensure
Sustainable Fire and Emergency Services
in Lewes Area

In response to mounting fire/rescue calls and emergency medical services (EMS) costs, the Lewes Fire Department (LFD) and the Greater Lewes Foundation (GLF) announce the creation of a dedicated fundraising foundation. This collaborative initiative aims to enhance existing funding appeals and to secure new funding sources to support the growing demand for fire response and high-quality emergency care in the Lewes area.

“The Fire Department has long been self-sufficient through its appeals and auxiliary support,” said Fire Chief Robbie Stephens. “However, the high costs to provide Fire/rescue call response and EMS services to the expanding Lewes service area require a greater level of public support.”

The newly established Lewes Fire Department Foundation will be a dedicated Fund with the GLF, guided by a separate board of community leaders and supported by GLF. The Foundation’s leadership includes Chair Bill Huntley, retired CEO of Scientific Games, and Vice Chair Keith Parsell, owner and CEO of Parsell’s Funeral Homes. The Board of Advisors features Rick Bell (chair and founder, Harvard Business Systems), Bernie Edmondson (LFD, Chief Marketing Officer), Jim Ford (GLF board member and a former Lewes Mayor), Ernie Lopez (retired state Senator, now with the University of Delaware), Frank Payton (owner of Techno Goober), Bryan Pepper (former owner of Pep-Up fuels and treasurer of LFD), and Steve Smyk (former state representative, now Chief Deputy, Sussex County Sheriff’s office). Each of these board members brings valuable expertise and commitment to this cause, Huntley said.

Staff for the Foundation will be provided by Mike Rawl, and Susan Hyde of GLF. The inaugural board meeting was held on January 16^th, marking the official launch of the Foundation’s efforts.

Joe Stewart, chair of GLF, emphasized the importance of the initiative: “The Greater Lewes Foundation continually seeks important ways to be of help to Lewes and its residents. Nothing can be more critical than continuing the consistent, quality emergency care provided by the Lewes Fire Department.”

Financial pressures are intensifying for the Fire Department. “Due to rapidly rising Fire and EMS costs, 2026 will be the first year the Fire Department is unable to set aside a reserve, typically $1.5 to $2 million, for ongoing capital expenses including vehicles and personnel equipment,” explained Foundation Treasurer Bryan Pepper. “Our current reserve funds are earmarked for replacement vehicles already on order, and without more support, we will be facing a deficit starting at year-end.”

The department’s need for fire trucks and ambulances is ongoing, aging equipment must be replaced and additional ambulances added to the fleet to meet the demands of the nearly 2,500 people moving to this area annually.

The subsequently increasing demand is significant. In 2025, the Department responded to 1,211 fire/rescue calls and 6,721 emergency calls, a total of 7,932, and this number is expected to continue to climb in the years ahead.