Clayton is mourning the death of its fire chief, who also served as the town manager. The Clayton Fire Company released the following statement about the passing of Chief John Pridemore:

The Clayton Fire Company regrets to announce the passing of Fire Chief John M. Pridemore. Chief Pridemore was injured in a fall at the station on March 7, 2022 while conducting station clean up duties. Chief Pridemore died on March 8, 2022 at the Christiana Hospital.

Chief Pridemore joined the Clayton Fire Company in January 1991 as a regular member “stating he wanted to serve the community he lived in”.

Chief Pridemore Served the Clayton Fire Company in many offices, the most recent as fire chief from 2021 to the present. Chief Pridemore served as vice president of the fire company in 2008 and 2012 and served as president from 2009-2011, he also served as company secretary in 2007. Chief Pridemore served as a fire lieutenant in 2013 and 2014, fire captain in 2015 and 2017, 1st Assistant Chief 2016 and 2018. In 2019 and 2020 he served as Deputy Chief and was elected chief in 2021.

Chief Pridemore’s service extended beyond his community, he served as the president of the Kent County Volunteer Firefighter’s Association in 2013 and Chief Pridemore served his county in the Delaware National Guard as a military police officer. Chief Pridemore was a third degree mason with the Smyrna Lodge.

Chief Pridemore is survived by his wife Kimberly, his daughter Amanda and her significant other Jorden, and son Michael, and his granddaughter Sadie. Chief Pridemore was currently employed by the Town of Clayton as the Town Manager.

The Clayton Fire Company has been placed out of service until the services have been completed and the fire district will be covered by fire companies in Delaware and Maryland giving the Clayton members time to decompress and prepare for the services. The members of the Clayton Fire Company would like to take every company who has reached out to offer their services.

Details of his services at this time are not complete and will be sent once confirmed.

The family request any donations be made to the Clayton Fire Company PO Box 1050 Clayton, DE in Chief Pridemore’s memory.

Clayton is mourning the death of its fire chief, who also served as the town manager. The Clayton Fire Company released the following statement about the passing of Chief John Pridemore:

The Clayton Fire Company regrets to announce the passing of Fire Chief John M. Pridemore. Chief Pridemore was injured in a fall at the station on March 7, 2022 while conducting station clean up duties. Chief Pridemore died on March 8, 2022 at the Christiana Hospital.

Chief Pridemore joined the Clayton Fire Company in January 1991 as a regular member “stating he wanted to serve the community he lived in”.

Chief Pridemore Served the Clayton Fire Company in many offices, the most recent as fire chief from 2021 to the present. Chief Pridemore served as vice president of the fire company in 2008 and 2012 and served as president from 2009-2011, he also served as company secretary in 2007. Chief Pridemore served as a fire lieutenant in 2013 and 2014, fire captain in 2015 and 2017, 1st Assistant Chief 2016 and 2018. In 2019 and 2020 he served as Deputy Chief and was elected chief in 2021.

Chief Pridemore’s service extended beyond his community, he served as the president of the Kent County Volunteer Firefighter’s Association in 2013 and Chief Pridemore served his county in the Delaware National Guard as a military police officer. Chief Pridemore was a third degree mason with the Smyrna Lodge.

Chief Pridemore is survived by his wife Kimberly, his daughter Amanda and her significant other Jorden, and son Michael, and his granddaughter Sadie. Chief Pridemore was currently employed by the Town of Clayton as the Town Manager.

The Clayton Fire Company has been placed out of service until the services have been completed and the fire district will be covered by fire companies in Delaware and Maryland giving the Clayton members time to decompress and prepare for the services. The members of the Clayton Fire Company would like to take every company who has reached out to offer their services.

Details of his services at this time are not complete and will be sent once confirmed.

The family request any donations be made to the Clayton Fire Company PO Box 1050 Clayton, DE in Chief Pridemore’s memory.

KME Fire Apparatus, a subsidiary of REV Group^® and a leading manufacturer of fire apparatus, welcomed Patriot Fire, LLC as its dealer in Maryland.

Patriot Fire recently opened a brand-new state-of-the-art facility at their Gibsonville, Maryland location to provide quality service with their highly experienced team. In addition to preventative maintenance, mechanical repairs, and DOT services, Patriot Fire offers collision and body repairs, custom fabrication services, and graphics.

KME Director of Sales Chris McClung said “We are happy to welcome Patriot Fire to our KME dealer network. We are confident that the Patriot Fire team will help grow the KME brand in Maryland.”

In addition to KME, Patriot Fire, LLC is a dealer of E-ONE^® and Ferrara^™ brands within REV Fire Group.

About Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. KME^®, a subsidiary of REV Group, engineers, and custom manufactures a full range of fire apparatus for municipal, federal, and wildland/urban interface markets. Additional information on KME can be found at kmefire.com.                                         

KME Fire Apparatus, a subsidiary of REV Group^® and a leading manufacturer of fire apparatus, welcomed Patriot Fire, LLC as its dealer in Maryland.

Patriot Fire recently opened a brand-new state-of-the-art facility at their Gibsonville, Maryland location to provide quality service with their highly experienced team. In addition to preventative maintenance, mechanical repairs, and DOT services, Patriot Fire offers collision and body repairs, custom fabrication services, and graphics.

KME Director of Sales Chris McClung said “We are happy to welcome Patriot Fire to our KME dealer network. We are confident that the Patriot Fire team will help grow the KME brand in Maryland.”

In addition to KME, Patriot Fire, LLC is a dealer of E-ONE^® and Ferrara^™ brands within REV Fire Group.

About Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. KME^®, a subsidiary of REV Group, engineers, and custom manufactures a full range of fire apparatus for municipal, federal, and wildland/urban interface markets. Additional information on KME can be found at kmefire.com.