Delaware State Fire School Honors Chief Howard Blizzard as Lifetime Instructor

DOVER, DELAWARE - The Delaware State Fire School honored Chief Howard Blizzard of the Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Company with the prestigious title of Lifetime Instructor on November 4, 2026, recognizing decades of dedication to firefighter education.
Since the school's inception in the 1960s, thousands of first responders have served as instructors. Fewer than 100 have been inducted as Lifetime Instructors. This distinction represents the school's hall of fame, honoring exceptional educators who have devoted their careers to preparing generations of emergency responders.

Lifetime Instructor status recognizes sustained excellence, innovation, and exceptional contributions. Selection is governed by rigorous criteria:
• At least 15 continuous years of active instructional service;
• An outstanding record of service to the Delaware State Fire School and statewide fire service;
• Full retirement from active instructional service; and
• A unanimous vote of approval by every member of the current full-time senior instructional staff.

Chief Blizzard began teaching at the Delaware State Fire School on March 17, 1971, under its first director, Louis J. Amabili. He prepared generations of firefighters to protect lives and property across Delaware and throughout the nation. More than five decades later, he received the Lifetime Instructor designation from the school's sixth director, Matthew Dodds.

"Chief Blizzard has trained, mentored, and motivated generations of first responders to follow in his footsteps," said Dodds. "His decades of service have strengthened this school and the firefighters we prepare. It was an honor for all of us at the Delaware State Fire School to recognize his lasting contributions and present this well-deserved honor."

His teaching spanned basic firefighting, industrial fire brigade operations, driving and pumping operations, specialized hazards, and command-level leadership. Across these disciplines, he shared his knowledge and experience to help students develop from new recruits into capable fire service leaders.

Chief Blizzard's name will be added to the wall of honor near the school's entrance, recognizing his contributions to fire service education and securing his permanent place in the school's history.

About the Delaware State Fire School
The Delaware State Fire School provides fire, rescue, emergency medical services, and community risk reduction training. The school is also a full-time member of the State Emergency Response Team (SERT) and maintains around-the-clock readiness to respond to major incidents. With 21 full-time staff members and more than 250 part-time instructional personnel, the school supports education, professional development, operational readiness, and emergency response statewide. It operates out of three campuses across all three counties and delivers programs to hundreds of public safety agencies nationwide.