May 14, 2022

DEPUTY CHIEF EMERITUS JOHN P. FOX

VIEWING AND FUNERAL SERVICES

FINAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR ATTENDANCE

AND PARTICIPATION

AETNA HOSE HOOK AND LADDER STATION 8 OGLETOWN ROAD

1. The public Viewing for Chief Fox will begin at 0930 hours. Parking for civilian vehicles will be in the Station 8 parking lot. Personnel will be present to direct vehicles to specific parking spaces. There is overflow parking available, to which vehicles will be directed, if necessary, from the rear lot at Station 8. Be prepared to inform parking personnel if you will be participating in the Procession to the Gravesite.

2. Apparatus and uniform personnel are to arrive between 0900 hours and 1100 hours. Apparatus is to enter the Station 8 lot from Ogletown Road, and personnel will be present to direct apparatus to the procession line-up area. Please do not arrive after 1100 hours.

3. At 1115 hours, all uniformed personnel shall assemble in the Engine Bay at the rear of Station 8 for a briefing on troop movements during and after the services.

4. Between their time of arrival and 1115 hours, uniformed personnel may pay their respects in the viewing line, but must attend the 1115 briefing.

5. At 1145 all uniformed personnel will assemble and proceed into the church where a pass by of the casket will occur and personnel will be directed to their seats for the service.

6. At the conclusion of the services, uniformed personnel will be directed outside and re-assembled. The casket will be removed and placed onto Engine 21-2 after which the procession to All Saints Cemetery will commence.

7. Once at the cemetery, personnel will be directed to the proper location for the graveside service.

8. Details on the service and burial will be provided at the 1115 briefing.

EVERYONE IS REQUESTED TO FOLLOW THE ABOVE INSTRUCTIONS IN ORDER TO PROVIDE THE APPROPRIATE HONOR TO JOHN AND THE FOX FAMILY.

Questions may be directed to Chief Dennis Godek at 302-530-2878.

July 1, 2021

Aetna Hose, Hook & Ladder Company

has exciting things on the horizon.

The company is launching a new campaign to revamp their brand, raise community awareness and recruit more volunteers to its ranks.

"The last year has been challenging for operations, including recruitment and retention,” said Chief A.J. Schall. “With already shrinking numbers, a year of ‘pauses’ will only lead to more issues down the road. With the grants we received, we have a unique opportunity to concentrate on the health and wellness of current members, and refine our communication and outreach for years to come."

To meet its public relations and advertising needs, Aetna is working with a pair of locally-based PR agencies. Together, they will get the new brand and messaging out through a variety of avenues, including:

• Feature stories in local news outlets

• Traditional and digital mail pieces

• Social media posts and targeted ads

• Community engagement at events

One of the companies Aetna has partnered with is Aloysius Butler & Clark, an ad agency with three offices across the mid-Atlantic, including its founding location in Wilmington, Delaware. The organization – more commonly known as AB&C – will create a new brand for Aetna that best reflects the culture and community of our fire company.

“As a full-service brand marketing ad agency founded in Wilmington 50 years ago, we have worked with a variety of clients throughout the First State,” said David Brond, AB&C’s Vice President of Strategy and Planning.

“We are truly privileged to work with Aetna and their partners to enhance the visibility of the essential fire and emergency services their dedicated volunteer and career personnel provide every day to protect and preserve the lives, property and environment of the greater Newark community.”

The other company is the Communication Solutions Group, headquartered in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania. Their work with Aetna will involve enhanced volunteer recruitment efforts, bringing particular attention to Aetna’s Live-In Program, which plays an important role in the company and the neighboring University of Delaware campus.

Read the rest of our Summer 2021 Newsletter HERE

March 31, 2021

We're hiring part-time Emergency Medical Technicians, check out the posting for details!

August 28, 2020

Aetna Hose, Hook & Ladder Company will officially cease fire suppression response operations from its Ogletown Road Station on August 30, 2020. Fire Station 8 was originally placed in service in 1963 to better service the eastern side of the fire district. Over the past decade increased development and congestion as well as declining volunteerism have severely impacted the Departments ability to staff the station on a routine basis.

A 2019 Standard of Cover Consultants report noted that Aetna could improve overall response operations by consolidating stations and focusing on staffing of three stations as opposed to four.

“With limited funding options available, we must look at a model that can efficiently maintain a minimum fire and EMS response level 24/7 to our entire district” stated Fire Chief Drew Bowerson. “We believe the consolidation of two stations as well as upgrades to other aging facilities will assist the Department in continuing to provide Newark and the surrounding community with the level of service that they have come to expect” added President Dan Seador.

Aetna’s Strategic Plan is focused on developing an organization and updating facilities to meet the needs of a combination fire department that requires both volunteer, part-time and full time staff to operate on a shift basis at stations. The Department’s plan currently calls for over $12 million dollars in capital expenditures over the next five years between facilities and apparatus to accomplish these goals.

An Aetna Basic Life Support ambulance and a New Castle County Paramedic unit will continue operations out of the station for the next several months.