Veteran Clayton fire chief killed in fall
By CLAYTON — Clayton Fire Co. Fire Chief John M. Pridemore died Tuesday from injuries suffered the day before while cleaning the fire station. He was 54.
Chief Pridemore passed away at Christiana Hospital in Newark, CFC spokesman Kevin Wilson said.
Clayton fire officials reported that the chief fell approximately 25 feet, while using a scissor lift to clean the upper portion of the north engine bay windows at approximately 6:40 p.m. He fell as the scissor lift was knocked over when the bay door was opened, and his head struck the bumper of an apparatus.
Chief Pridemore had joined the fire company in January 1991, according to a news release, because “he wanted to serve the community he lived in.”
He also served Clayton in his role as the town manager.
Several of the company’s EMTs immediately rendered aid to the injured member. The Kent County Department of Public Safety paramedics, as well as two ambulances from the American Legion, also rendered care.
The Clayton Police Department also assisted and investigated the incident, Mr. Wilson said.
The county’s Critical Incident Stress Management Team was contacted and will be holding stress debriefings for members at the station. Surrounding companies from Delaware and Maryland will be covering Clayton’s fire district until 6 a.m. Friday, Mr. Wilson said.
Chief Pridemore had served in his current role since 2021. He was company vice president in 2008 and 2012 and served as president from 2009-2011.
Other roles included company secretary (in 2007), fire lieutenant (2013-14), fire captain (2015 and 2017), and first assistant chief (2016 and 2018).
In 2019 and 2020, Chief Pridemore served as deputy chief in 2019 and 2020.
Chief Pridemore served as the Kent County Volunteer Firefighter’s Association’s president in 2013 and was a military police officer in the Delaware National Guard. He was a third-degree mason with the Smyrna Lodge, according to Mr. Wilson.
Chief Pridemore is survived by his wife Kimberly, his daughter Amanda and her significant other Jorden, son Michael, and his granddaughter Sadie.
Details of his services were incomplete Tuesday night.
The family requests that any donations be made to the Clayton Fire Company PO Box 1050 Clayton, DE in Chief Pridemore’s memory.
As news of the accident spread Tuesday, fire companies and members of the public expressed their support for the injured firefighter.
By 3:15 p.m., Clayton Fire Co.’s Facebook page had received more than 560 caring comments, not only for the injured man but for his fellow members. Many of the statements came from citizens, along with other fire departments.
As the day progressed, many fire companies across the state posted supportive messages on their Facebook pages.
The neighboring Citizens’ Hose Co. of Smyrna’s statement read:
“We are still in shock and awe regarding the unfortunate event that occurred last night at our sister station, Clayton Fire Company NO.1 Inc. Station 45.
“As many of you are well aware, the towns of Smyrna and Clayton are two small towns which so frequently come together and unite, times like these are no different. We are extremely grateful to have had such a close working relationship and bond with Clayton over the years.
“We continue to pray with them, as we are one family. We ask that each of you continue to respect the privacy of the Clayton Fire Company, its members, their families and loved ones.
“This ‘job’ is actually not a job at all, but just a glorified hobby to which so many men and women devote countless hours of time and sacrifice much of their personal lives. Our Brothers and Sisters in Clayton are no different, they go above and beyond to provide the most professional of services and serve their community with the utmost pride, because after all, that’s why they do what they do. Clayton, we are one and we are with you!”
