Station 33 - Delaware Air Guard Fire Department

09/29/2026

On Monday, September 29, at approximately 1531, New Castle County Fireboard received multiple calls for an apartment on fire in Box 3210, Galloway Court Apartments

Engine 28 (Wilmington Manor) arrived as the 1st due engine to find a 2 story apartment with fire showing. Rescue 33 responded and their crew attached to Engine 28, assisting with the hose line and overhaul.

Due to extension to the roofline initially, a second alarm assignment was requested by command.

33 crews were committed to the scene for 2 hours.

09/26/2026

8 members of The Delaware Air National Guard Fire Department trained alongside our partners from the 142nd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron at New Castle Airbase.

Our members continue to increase the depth of their medical skills and earned certification in Tactical Combat Casualty Care - Tier 3, Combat Medic / Corpsman.

Members successfully performed multiple new medical interventions such as cricothyroidotomies, IV insertions, prehospital blood transfusions, and administration of several new medications.

These life saving measures prove invaluable, especially in deployed and austere environments

Thank you to the 142nd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron for hosting the course and field training exercises.

ready. Always there

09/13/2026

On Saturday, September 12, the Delaware Air National Guard Fire Department conducted one of its required Annual Live Structural Burn Days at Gloucester County Fire Academy

These live burns give the Full-time State employees and the Delaware Air National Guard Firefighters a chance to train and work together

Topics such as Fire Behavior, Vent Enter Search, Firefighter packaging, and Handline management were covered by the Senior Cadre to 38 members of the team.

A special thank you to the instructors of the Gloucester County Fire Academy for their help in making a long day of work successful and use of their brand new Class A Burn Building.

08/22/2026

The Delaware Air National Guard Fire Department would like to announce the retirement of Assistant Chief William Trautmann.

Bill joined the department as a firefighter in 2002, after leaving the Active Duty and held that position for years before serving as a Station Captain, and then as Assistant Chief of both Operations and Fire Prevention.

Assistant Chief Trautman’s career stands as a testament to his steadfast commitment to public safety, emergency readiness, and the protection of both military and civilian assets and personnel.

His retirement marks the conclusion of an incredibly impactful chapter of service and his legacy in the department will continue for years to come.

Thank you for your exemplary service, Assistant Chief Trautmann.

08/20/2026

Delaware Air National Guard Fire Departments Senior Airman Thomas Barrett is a Patrolman First Class with the Millsboro Police Department in Sussex County, Delaware.

SrA Barrett, along with 2 other members of his department laid the wreath down today at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia is a sacred monument dedicated to unidentified American service members. Created in 1921, it holds the remains of unknown soldiers from World War I, World War II, and the Korean War, and is continuously guarded 24/7 by elite Army sentinels

Stay tuned for more stories about our members and plenty of updates about department

06/10/2026

At approximately 0044 hours, 9 June, New Castle County units were dispatched to the 100 block of Oakmont Ave, Box 2302, for a Residential Structure Fire

With an additional working fire just several blocks away, also in 23s local, cover units and some that were released from the previous fire made the response to find smoke showing from a 2 story single family residence.

During the operation, Rescue 33 was placed in service on the 1st floor to assist in opening up.

23-8C had Oakmont Command.

05/14/2026

We are saddened to announce the passing of Staff Sergeant (Retired) Al Akeroyd.

Al was the kind of person who left an impression on everyone he met. He had a big heart, a sharp sense of humor, and stories that could keep a room laughing for hours. More importantly, he was a brother, mentor, and friend to many throughout the Delaware Air National Guard Fire Department and the 166th Civil Engineering Squadron.

SSgt Akeroyd proudly served as a firefighter with the Delaware Air National Guard Fire Department. From November 2019 through April 2020, he deployed to Baghdad, Iraq, where he served as an Air Advisor training Iraqi firefighters. During that deployment, he endured repeated rocket and mortar attacks while continuing to carry out his mission in support of the Iraqi military. For his actions and service under combat conditions, he was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal with “C” Device.

Prior to joining the Delaware Air National Guard, Al served as a Scout Sniper in the United States Marine Corps. He carried that same dedication, toughness, and loyalty throughout his career and into everyday life.

Al will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege to know and serve alongside him. Please keep his family, friends, and brothers and sisters in uniform in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

Alfred Stuart Akeroyd Jr., 45, of Palestine, passed away unexpectedly at his home on May 5, 2026. Born on April 25, 1981, in Abington, he was the son of Alfred Akeroyd Sr. and the late Dorothy McGowan. Alfred proudly served his country in the United States Marine Corps and later

04/21/2026

Members of the 166th Airlift Wing, the Delaware Air National Guard Fire Department, and various first responders from the surrounding community attended an outstanding presentation led by Captain Michael Puglisi of the District of Columbia Fire and EMS Department, focused on the initial response to the Potomac River mid-air collision that occurred in January of 2025.

Captain Puglisi walked through the initial responding companies’ perspective during a complex, high-risk incident, breaking down decision-making in those critical first moments. The discussion emphasized command presence, rapid size-up, operational priorities, and the realities of coordinating across multiple agencies under pressure.

Key takeaways included:
• Establishing control early and communicating clear intent
• Prioritizing life safety in a dynamic, multi-casualty environment
• Maintaining adaptability as the incident evolves
• The importance of interagency coordination and unified command

Training like this sharpens our ability to operate effectively when the stakes are highest. We appreciate Captain Puglisi taking the time to share real-world experience and lessons learned.

Note: Michael Puglisi is the Captain of the Fire Boat for Washington DC Fire and EMS and was the inital Incident Commander of the fatal tragedy that took place with involving a Commercial Airliner and an Army Blackhawk

Captain Puglisi is also a veteran and former Military Fire Chief of the Delaware Air National Guard Fire Department.

04/17/2026

Rescue 33 made the response

04/14/2026

Day 3 of the TCCC Combat Lifesaver Course

The Delaware Air National Guard Fire Department, along with the 436th CES/Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) and 512th CES Air Force Reserve EOD out of Dover Air Force Base
focused on critical, life-saving interventions.

Training emphasized the recognition and management of tension pneumothorax with needle decompression, as well as proper application of aortic tourniquets for severe hemorrhage control.

The day consisted of repetitive, hands-on scenarios to build proficiency, speed, and confidence under pressure. Emphasis was placed on rapid assessment, decisive action, and correct technique in high-acuity situations.

Essential training for deployed environments