Bridgeville Fire Company praised for recent tornado response efforts with special visit

BRIDGEVILLE, Del. – “Lots of trees down and through houses, power polls down everywhere, just mass destruction,” Butler said.

Those were the words Bridgeville Volunteer Fire Company Assistant Chief Brian Butler used to describe the aftermath of the deadly tornado that tore through Sussex County Saturday.

Butler was one of the first responders who sprung to action that evening. “As we arrived on scene, we heard the radios going nuts at that point. We knew then we had a catastrophic storm come through,” Butler said.

“We divided and conquered. That’s what we did.”

U.S. Senator Tom Carper taking a visit to the fire station Tuesday morning to praise those brave men and women for their efforts. “They risk their lives getting out of their beds at the middle of the night, in bad weather, and going out and try to help people. We take that for granted but I’m grateful and just here to say thanks,” Senator Carper said.

“We mourn the loss of the death of the one gentleman who passed away.”

Bridgeville Fire Company President Matt Smith tells us the department had most of the resources to respond to the incident immediately. “The electric companies, the more advanced rescue companies, and the people who helped put everything back together showed up in force,” Smith said.

As they continue helping the community recover, Smith says their team may be small but they’re mighty. “Sometimes the training that you did 20 years ago, a little light comes on and you remember that and now it’s time to use those things you learned and try and help as many people as you can.”

The Bridgeville Fire Department tells us they’re still accepting donations to support families who have been displaced from their homes or for community groups to aide in clean up efforts.

Senator Tom Carper is the co-chair of the Congressional Fire Caucus. He tells us they provide support and resources for departments and will continue to advocate for Delaware.