149 Slater Street
This firehouse at 149 Slater Street (near Jersey) was built in 1855 to house the just organized Jackson Engine Company 4 of the Volunteer Fire Department.
In 1888 the Fire Department was reorganized by a special committee consisting of Aldermen In 1888 the Fire Department was reorganized by a special committee consisting of Aldermen Macdonald, Miller and Kearney, and a partially paid department or "Call System" succeeded the volunteer system on March 20th, 1890, with four permanent men in nine engine and three hook and ladder companies, and eight call men to each. The fulltime men consisted of Captains, Engineers, Drivers and Tillermen as well as the chief, and two assistants.
Chronological Listing of Events and Apparatus at Slater Street
June 25, 1889: Aldermen decide that the former quarters of Hibernia Hose 3 on Slater Street would be converted to a stall to house the gig of Chief Engineer. Engine 4 was also quartered there
Morning Call - Courtesy Jim Eifler
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March 20, 1890: The transition from a totally volunteer department to partially paid "Call System" occurred and Jackson Engine Company Four became Engine Company 4.
Apparatus: 1883 second size Clapp and Jones Steamer in good condition. Sowerbutt hose wagon in good condition with 700' hose, 2 three gallon extinguishers and a roof ladder
Initial Roster: Engine Company 4
Captain Patrick Sweeney
Engineer Frank Costello, Drivers John Cluney and Peter Riley
Callmen: John J. Canning, Robert Dunphy, William Marshall, James Cullerton, Hugh Kennedy, William Morrison, John Marshall.
Captain Patrick Sweeney
Engineer Frank Costello, Drivers John Cluney and Peter Riley
Callmen: John J. Canning, Robert Dunphy, William Marshall, James Cullerton, Hugh Kennedy, William Morrison, John Marshall.
A page from Company journal Looks like March 28th(?) 189?
Company Journal - Early 1890s - Courtesy Jim Eifler
April 1, 1895: Chief Engineer Annual Report
Manpower Assignment for Engine 4
Manpower Assignment for Engine 4
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Badge Name Rank
37 Patrick Sweeney Captain 38 Alexander S Thoms Engineer 39 Thomas McGurk Driver 40 John J. Condon Driver 154 James Cullington Hoseman |
Badge Name Rank
42 John J. Cunning Callman 43 Robert Dumphy Callman 44 James Healey Callman 45 Charkes McGinnis Callman 46 Hugh Kennedy Callman 47 William Morrison Callman 48 John Marshall Callman |
Rare photo of a PFD Callman - William Morrison (Badge 47) of Engine 4 circa 1890-1895 - had also served as Volunteer firefighter at Jackson Engine 4 prior to 1890
Courtesy of his Great Grandson Dennis Morrison
September 19, 1892: Engineer Alexander Thoms invents a valve
Paterson News
August 27, 1895: Engine 4 incident (fight) between Captain Sweeney and Engineer Thoms
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November 10, 1895: 11:00 PM 825 Straight Street Chimney fire Incident with Horses of E4
November 11 Morning Call
November 15, 1895: Department goes fully paid - callmen eliminated
November 15, 1895: the Fully Paid Department begins:
First Manpower Assignment for Engine 4 (Badge #s)
First Manpower Assignment for Engine 4 (Badge #s)
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Captain Patrick Sweeney #40
Engineer George W. Dobson #41 John J. Condon #42 James Cullington #43 |
Michael J. Ryan #44
Engineer Michael Hanlan #45 William Laughlin #46 John Delaney #47 |
Captain Patrick Sweeney
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Photos of Captain Patrick Sweeney (formerly lo Jackson Engine 4 of Volunteer department.
He went on to become a Deputy Chief.
He went on to become a Deputy Chief.
March 20, 1890 the company used an 1883 Second Size Clapp and Jones Steam Fire Engine (that used by Jackson 4) with a Hose wagon built by Sowerbutt, that carried 700 feet of hose, and two 3-gallon extinguishers and one roof ladder.
April 1897 Roster with badge #s listed in Annual Report: (new name in italics)
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Captain Patrick Sweeney #40
Engineer George W. Dobson #41 Frank Connors #42 James Cullington #43 |
James Furrey #44
Engineer Michael Halnan #45 William Laughlin #46 John Delaney #47 |
September 27, 1897: Collision with Engine 8 on Mill Street
December 8, 1898: F/F James Furrey of Engine 4 captures an opossum.
December 10 Paterson News
April 28, 1902: Issues with repairing steamer of Engine 4.
Paterson News
February 12, 1904: Report of Chief Stagg on apparatus - Engine 4
Paterson News - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
May 28, 1904: Accident with hose wagon responding to false alarm at Station 51, driver Philip Kearney and Captain Sweeney thrown from wagon.
September 29, 1905: Former volunteer FF Richard Moore
Courtesy of Dennis Morrison
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December 12, 1905: First Size Nott Steam Fire Engine
Paterson News - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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December 12, 1905: Engineer Wiley transferred to Engine 4 and Engineer Hanlon sent to Engine 7
March 1, 1906: 2nd Size Nott Steamer Test
Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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February 21, 1907:
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Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison
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February 23, 1907: Nott ordered to correct new steamer issues
Guardian courtesy Dennis Morrison
2nd size Nott Steamer - Courtesy Jim Eifler
March 14, 1907: Main and Slater Street accident between coal wagon and apparatus
Guardian courtesy Dennis Morrison
August 14, 1907: Engine 4 Nott steamer tested for officials from Middleton, NY
October 27, 1907: From the PFD series published in the Guardian
Courtesy Dennis Morrison
1908 NY Sunday World photo of men outside firehouse - Standing left to right: Thomas Cullington (hoseman), Thomas Dunn (hoseman), Stephen Walls (hoseman), John Walsh (hoseman), James Sweeney (hoseman), John Egan (hoseman), Michael Halnan (engineer), Philip Kearney (driver), Abram Hartley (driver), Sitting (L-R): William Allen (Captain), James Cluney (Lieutenant).
NY Sunday World - also 1909 Ball Book
January 20, 1908: To reach a blazing cross bar on a telegraph pole, Captain Allen and FF while dragging a ladder had to swim across, the Morris Canal at the top of Pine Street
Paterson News - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
June 18, 1909: Retired horse of Engine 4 earns to return to duty
Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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July 17 NY World - courtesy Dennis Morrison
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1909: Captain remains William Allen
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At right are the men of Engine Company 4 with the horses in doorway of quarters. L-R: John Heinzelman, Corneilus "Neil" Kennedy, John Eagan and Bill Smith
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circa 1910-1912 photo
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1910: First Size Nott Steam Fire Engine shown below at a 1910 River Street fire. Note the Captain, with white shield on helmet standing at side of apparatus
January 4, 1913: Engine 4 loses a wheel - a letter to the editpr condemns modern apparatus and longs for the days of the hand pulled apparatus
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Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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April 6, 1913: Article # 4 in the Chronicle Series on PFD
From L-R: Captain John Cluney, James Rafferty, Cornelius Kennedy, Lieutenant William Laughlin, John Heinzelman, Engineer John Condon, John Egan, Joseph Hughes (driver for second Battalion Chief Nolan), William Smith. To the rear is the hose wagon (note butt of white horse to the right)
May 9, 1913: First size Metropolitan Steam Fire Engine (former Engine 9) motorized with a Christie Front Drive Tractor and sent to Engine 4. Engine 4 horse drawn steamer sent to Engine 9 on Main Street
May 10, 1913 - Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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FF Phil Kearney is second from the right
May 24, 1913: Apparatus out for practice runs into a ditch on Pine Street
Paterson Press - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
May 30, 1913: Station 152 at 4 PM - the new motorized apparatus makes its first run Railroad Ave and Green Street Boiler shop
Morning Call - courtesy of Dennis Morrison
August 31, 1913: Responding to Station 412 at 11:17 PM for a fire at 88 New Street, new apparatus struck a mud hole, swerved and crashed into a barn
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June 17, 1914: E4 hits pedestrian (child) while responding to fire ~ 10:00 PM at Station 243 on Straight Street
June 18 Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison
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FF John Eagan
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May 30, 1915: First run for new motorized tractor for Engine 4
Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison
1916: First size Robinson Combination Hose Wagon (former Engine Company 1 wagon)
July 1, 1916: Two Platoon System begins: (Day and Night Shift
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Day Shift
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Night Shift
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Lieutenant William Loughlan
Engineer Walter Mennel Corneilius Kennedy James Rafferty William Smth George Hausen |
Captain John Cluney
Engineer John Egan John Heinzelman William Delaney Charles Townley Robert Summers |
1918: Ball Book Roster
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Captain John Cluney
Lieutenant Michael Comer Engineer Walter Mennel John Eagan William Delaney John Heinzelmann Cornelius Kennedy |
William Smith
James Rafferty Charles Townley Robert Summers John Doherty Geroge Hanson (in US Armed Forces) |
January 1920: Commercial Truck Company Electric Tractors attached to Steamer (serial #19021) and Combination Hose and Chemical Wagon (serial # 19023)
May 4, 1922: Hart cellar pipe lost responding to fire
Paterson News - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
October 15, 1926: Ahrens Fox Model N-S-4 1000 GPM (serial #1669). This was the second Ahrens Fox Pumper purchased by Paterson at a cost of $13,500. It had solid rubber tires and a deluge gun outboard of the left side of the hosebed. It was converted to pneumatic tires in March 1932.
April 27, 1928: Fireman Edward Tribe and Marinus Baker of Engine Company 4 make the Supreme Sacrifice at the Linn Department Store at 133-135 Main Street (Station 451 at 2:33 AM - a third alarm fire).
Edward Tribe
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Marinus Baker
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Originally the apparatus had a one piece bumper which was replaced later with a two piece bumper after a collision with a bus on February 9, 1950 as seen below.
Register 1669 Not Detroit Door Opener on front running board -- Dick Adelman Photo
November 22, 1928: Re-roofing proposal
1930 Company Roster
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A Shift
Captain Joseph Greer Jess Kithcart August Schneider (Supreme Sacrifice) Samuel Hess David McGrady Joseph Recca |
B Shift
Captain John Gaynor Horace Warr Thomas Petty James Rafferty John Spruce Thomas Matthews |
February 16, 1930 - New Ahrens Fox covered with ice at Rafner Furniture 4 alarm fire
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February 17 Guardian Courtesy Dennis Morrisn
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1935: Engine Company 4 A Shift: Captain Joseph Greer, Robert Summers, Jess Kithcart, August Schneider, Sam Hess, David McGrady, Joseph Recca
1936 Ball Book Photo
1935: Engine Company 4 B Shift: Acting Captain Horace Warr, Thomas Petty, James Rafferty, John Spruce, Thomas Matthews, Frederick Haycock
1936 Ball Book Photo
January 29, 1935: Engine 4 driven by Jessie Kithcart in accident at Slater and Spruce Streets while responding to Station 415 (Dayton and Murray) at 7:50 PM
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January 30 Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison
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1940 Paterson Evening News Golden Jubilee - Engine Company 4 Roster
On August 19, 1942 the 1926 N-S-4, #1669 of Engine Company 4 collided with a car at Grand and Mill Streets while responding to a brush fire. Fireman August Schneider and Auxillary Fireman William Conklin were both thrown from the apparatus and fatally injured.
1944 Annual Report Roster
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A Shift
Captain Joseph L. Devenport David McGrady James McKelvey John Sisco |
B Shift
Captain Joseph Carr John Spruce Charles McGee George Peppinghaus |
1949 Ball Book photo of Engine Company 4 "A Shift" Captain Joseph (Lester) Devenport, Richard Walmsley, Ernest Biggs and Francis Dalton
1949 Ball Book photo of Engine Company 4 "B Shift" Captain George Peppinghaus, Earl Plavier, Michael Weiss and John Cartwright
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Engine 4's Dalmatian was called Fritz. On his collar he wore a special badge engraved with his and the Company's name. This made the Dal "official" to accompany the men as they worked. Pictured at right on the seat of the Ahrens Fox is the Dalmatian called Princess who was purchased after Frtiz passed away.
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February 9 1950: Main Street & 21st Avenue - 11:53 PM - Engine 4, driven by F/F Joseph Bauer responding to a car fire strikes bus which crashes into a tavern at Slater and Marshall Street killing a man at the bar. Other F/F (Frank Dalton & Ernie Biggs) injured
February 11 Paterson Evening News courtesy Dennis Morrison
Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison
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Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison
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Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison
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February 11 Paterson Evening News courtesy Dennis Morrison
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After the accident a new 2 piece bumper was added (note 1951 photo below)
July 15, 1950: Paterson Evening News lists early 1950 Rosters of Engine 4
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May 3, 1951: In next 2 photos Engine 4 in action at the a North 10th Street Crayon Factory 4 Alarm Fire (apparatus photographed from each side is parked at corner of Clinton and North 11th Streets).
January 1952: Received a 1930 Ahrens Fox Model H-P-4 1000 GPM (Serial # 2312) which was formerly that of Engine Company 1. The Ahrens Fox agent Frank Griesser donated a windshield which was installed, making this pumper (#2312) the only Paterson Fox pumper to have a windshield (seen below). In June of 1952 the Fox pumper (#1669) became a spare.
Apparatus parked on Temple Street outside of Verps Bakery
February 14, 1953 21st Avenue Wire Factory General Alarm Fire Captain (Acting BC) Joseph Dayspring (of E1 at that time) at right without helmet
March 1953: A new 1953 Seagrave 750 GPM (Serial # G3790). Had a 150 gallon booster tank. It was received in Paterson on February 5, 1953. The cost was $15,754 (1/2 of the cost paid by Civil defense).
July 24, 1953: ENGINE COMPANY 4 - From the Morning Call Series of PFD Companies. For more details on the Volunteer Era CLICK HERE
Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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July 24 Morning Call and 1954 Ball Book
1954 Ball Book photo: A and B shifts of Engine Company 4: Top L-R: Captain Harold Kane, Tommy Watterson, Earl H. Plavier, Captain John Cartwright, William Willocks. Bottom L-R: Battalion Chief & Drill Master Solomon Reines, Ernie Biggs, Joe Bauer, John H.Thompson, Frank Dalton. 1953 Seagrave in rear.
January 23, 1958: Received a 1957 FWD Special 1000 GPM pumper (Serial #D80293) pictured below. The next two photos are late 1950s. Engine 4 went out of service in 1962 and initially became a spare apparatus. A plywood riot roof seen in 3rd photo below was installed in 1968.
November 12, 1960: 9:01 AM Engine 4 driven by F/F Thomas Alala has accident at Spring & Jackson Streets
Paterson News
Below is a 1961 photo of the watch desk of the Slater Street firehouse. Left to right are Walt Nicklaus, Ernie Biggs and Vic Diddio.
1961: - Pumping out cellar at Monnella's Shoe Repair at 21st Avenue and Trenton Avenue. F/F Vic Diddio and Captain Harold Schoonmaker
Vic Diddio Collection
The Slater Street firehouse was closed on July 2, 1962 and then demolished to make room for Route 80 as it was constructed in Paterson. Engine Company 4 went out of service at that time.
November 13, 1963: Mayor announces that the city to sell two and lease one of the older firehouses. The unused quarters of Engine 4 on Slater Street will be one.
Morning Call