Wilmington, DE
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A Message from Chief of Fire John Looney
Each day, our firefighters and emergency medical service personnel respond to Wilmington residents during some of their most challenging moments. Whether facing a medical emergency or a rapidly evolving fire, our teams bring professionalism, urgency, and compassion to every call.
This year, the Wilmington Fire Department proudly saw its largest and most diverse academy class in recent history – welcoming more than 40 new cadets. This milestone reflects the commitment of our training and development team to building a department that reflects and serves our community.
In 2025, the department also resumed its role as the primary provider of emergency medical services. Our firefighter/EMTs stepped up to this responsibility with determination and skill, resulting in strong performance and improved service delivery. We handled more than 14,000 EMS calls, contributing to a total of 29,859 incidents citywide.
The data outlined in this report demonstrates not only the growing demand for our services but also the expanding scope of our work. Of the 857 fires we responded to, most structure fires were contained to the room of origin. This is most true of properties equipped with working smoke detectors. This underscores the importance of our prevention efforts. Our Fire Prevention Division continued to strengthen community partnerships, delivering 35 educational programs and attending 71 community events. Through these efforts, we connected with nearly 12,000 residents. Prevention and public education remain central to our mission of protecting life and property.
The data outlined in the following report provides a comprehensive look at both the proactive and reactive approaches of each of our departments, intended to protect life, property, and the well-being of the Wilmington community.
I am immensely proud of what the Wilmington Fire Department accomplished in 2025. As we look ahead, we remain committed to meeting the needs of our community while upholding the high standards that Wilmington residents expect and deserve.
Sincerely,
Chief John Looney