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Lou joined the Lewes Fire Department on November 5, 1962 as one of the three orignial junior firefighters at the age of 16 years old. He would go on to serve in many fire line and administrative positions of the department he served 7 years as Fire Chief in 1976, 1977, 1979 and 1981-1984, he served 18 terms as Assistant Fire Chief totaling 25 years as a Chief Fire Officer for our department. He also served our department at the Admin level holding the position of Treasurer from 1970-1972, Secretary from 1975-1980 and again from 1983-1986. He assumed the Position of President in 1986 after the untimely passing of Past Fire Chief and Past President Thornton A. Shipley, he would become President again in 1989 and held the title of President until his untimely passing in 2002. From 1997-2002 he would serve as Senior Engine Captain (82-21). During his tenure as President, Chief Rickards constructed 2 new Fire Stations and purchased 15 new pieces of fire apparatus, before his passing Lou was the driving force in building Lewes/Rehoboth Station 3 which was completed in June of 2003 and also was on the Truck Committee for our 2002 85 foot Pierce Aerial Truck.
Sadly, on Sunday February 3, 2002 President and Past Chief Rickards was killed in the Line of Duty while enroute with his wife Naomi to a Delmarva Volunteer Fireman's Association Meeting in Parksley Virginia his loss was felt statewide and in the City of Lewes. Lou would be proud of how we have moved forward since his passing and would be amazed at how big our district has built up. Lou's wife Naomi continues his legacy by serving in the department alongside Grandson Michael and great nephew Christopher who have served as Fire Captains and Nephew William Buckaloo who is a Past Chief of the Department
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