January 1, 2024

The Bethany Beach Volunteer Fire Company has just completed its 15^th year of providing emergency medical services to the citizens and visitors of the Bethany Beach Fire District and surrounding communities. Our call volume remains consistent, with our ambulance service answering over 1,000 calls for service a year. We have explored, and continue to explore and implement every possible advancement the State of Delaware Emergency Medical Services Protocols allow. We are very proud of our ability to answer your call for help, delivering the competent and compassionate care your family expects and deserves.

 The busy summer months place additional stress on our EMS delivery system. We hire additional Firefighter/EMT’s to staff additional ambulances to meet our increased call demands. Station 70 now operates two ambulances 24/7 and a third ambulance during the summer to ensure an adequate number of ambulances are available to respond to calls for service.

The Bethany Beach Volunteer Fire Company needs your help in meeting this financial need.  Operational costs such as medical supplies, fuel, and maintenance has increased. Due to the cost of operations, we are increasing the subscription cost for the first time since 2014. The cost to purchase an ambulance subscription is now $60 per household. Additionally, the ambulance subscription will only cover the subscriber and their immediate family. Again, we need your financial support so we can continue to provide the very best EMS service for our community. If you are willing and able, please consider an additional donation (beyond your $60 subscription) to the EMS service.

Participation has another benefit beyond supporting this critical community need. The average cost of an ambulance transport to area hospitals is $1,200 and insurance typically covers only half that amount. We then bill the patient for the difference. Ambulance subscribers, including immediate family, will not be invoiced for any amount not covered by insurance.  Please join us, the community contributors, contributing home owner associations, and current subscribers in making this undertaking as economical and equitable as possible.

Check with your neighbors and encourage their participation. If they did not receive a subscription packet, please have them contact the fire station. If you have any questions or wish additional information please do not hesitate to contact EMS Chief Phil Brackin at [email protected]. Please remember to fill out all indicated required fields on the Ambulance Subscription Form or we will not be able to apply coverage.

Best wishes for a safe 2024,

Phil Brackin               Brian Martin                    Tyler Hickman           Jack Martin

EMS Chief                 President                        Fire Chief                  Treasurer

If your property lies within the boundaries of the Incorporated Towns of Bethany Beach, South Bethany, Fenwick Island, or the communities of Sea Colony, Middlesex Beach, Bethany Village, Breakwater Beach, Cotton Patch, The Cove, Gulls Nest, Heron Bay, Kings Grant, Ocean Breezes, Ocean Ridge, Ocean Village, Pelicans Pouch, Queens Quest, The Preserve, Sea Break, SeaDel, South Shore, Sussex Shores or Watermark you may disregard this solicitation- you are already enrolled.