198 17th Avenue
Chronological Listing of Events and Apparatus at 17th Avenue
November 25, 1908: Fire and Police Commission purchase two lots on Seventeenth Avenue and East 26th Street purchased for Number 10 Engine
November 26 Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison
April 16, 1910: Bids for the auto apparatus which will locate at 17th Avenue Firehouse
Paterson Daily Press
Paterson Press: Courtesy Jim Eifler
July 1, 1910:
Paterson Press - Courtesy Dennis Morrison & Jim Eifler
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September 27, 1910: New FF and description of the new Engine 10 firehouse
Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison
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September 28, 1910: Changes coming to PFD due to new auto-engine of E10. Captain William Boyle of Engine 8 to command Engine 10.
Paterson Press
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October 13, 1910: E10 New Engine arrival announced
Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison
October 18, 1910: Captain Boyle goes to the New Engine 10 with its auto-engine on 17th Avenue - replacing Boyle at Engine 8 is Captain Charles Simonton
Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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October 21, 1910: Once the apparatus arrives, the new Engine 10 company will consist of Captain William Boyle, Frank Boyle form Engine 5, John Anderson of Truck 1, and new appointment Pau Wentick who will drive. The "English Way" of firefighting to go into effect.
Paterson News - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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October 25, 1910: The Firehouse at 198 17th Avenue (between East 27th and East 28th Streets) opened and housed Engine Company 10
October 25, 1910: Howe Automobile Combination Fire Engine (built in Indianapolis, IN), 750 GPM (Model AP-N) which was the first motorized (gasoline powered) apparatus used by the Paterson Fire Department. It was six-cylinder engine with 75 horse power. Notice on the rack holding the ladders, in the front has letters: Paterson No. 10 at top and bottom (over grill). Also there were torches on the sides of the ladder rack, a throwback to earlier apparatus.
Paterson Press October 25 - Courtesy Jim Eifler
Old Gooseneck of Passaic Engine Company 1 of Paterson Volunteers
Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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Photo likely taken in Westside Park -- Dayspring Collection
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October 25, 1910: Howe Automobile Combination Fire Engine (built in Indianapolis, IN), 750 GPM (Model AP-N) which was the first motorized (gasoline powered) apparatus used by the Paterson Fire Department. It was six-cylinder engine with 75 horse power. Notice on the rack holding the ladders, in the front has letters: Paterson No. 10 at top and bottom (over grill). Also there were torches on the sides of the ladder rack, a throwback to earlier apparatus.
Mayor Andrew F McBride
Commissioners Hopson, Ryan, Mallon and Weiss
William L Dill (Clerk)
Chief John Stagg
Commissioners Hopson, Ryan, Mallon and Weiss
William L Dill (Clerk)
Chief John Stagg
Paterson News - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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October 28, 1910: New auto engine tested at Westside Park and also at vacant lot by Armory and Engine 6 firehouse.
Guardian courtesy Dennis Morrison
October 29, 1910: Morning Call
Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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Westside Park Test as reported in Press Guardian - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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November 1, 1910: Test at 18th Avenue and East 24th Street
Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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November 2, 1910: Engine 10 run assignments significantly increased
Paterson Press
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November 1, 1910: New motorized Howe apparatus tested in trial
Morning Call
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In the photo below at the Firehouse: On rear step: ? and Jack Anderson. On side: Lieutenant Thomas Coyle, Driver Paul Wentick and Captain William Boyle. On other side John Bierne and ? at crank.
Outside of firehouse
In photo below L-R: Captain William Boyle, Lieutenant Thomas Coyle, John Brett, Paul Wentick, J Roach, unknown
Natoli Collection
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Lieutenant Thomas Coyle on left and Chief John Stagg at right testing hose pressure of new Howe apparatus (in 1912 Coyle became Chief Engineer) |
Note that the ladders were moved from the "roof rack" to the sides of the hose bed.
November 9, 1910: Police and Fire Board decides upon Howe Fire Engine
November 10, 1910: Test of new auto-engine. Plans are for the company to act as a flying squadron.
November 10 Guardian courtesy Dennis Morrison
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November 10 Paterson Press
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November 14 Paterson Press
At one point, (exact date ?) each Paterson company was assigned its own unique color scheme: specific colored stripes would be on every piece of equipment. Engine 10 colors were red and white.
November 24, 1910: All Engine 10 firemen drill with new auto-apparatus
Courtesy Dennis Morrison
November 25, 1910: Early morning - E10 Mishap" apparatus driven by Paul Wentink hit curb at Madison and Clay Streets while responding station (262).
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Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison
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December 6, 1910: 6:19 PM Brandes Mill on Marshall Street - a successful response for new autoengine
December 7 Guardian courtesy Dennis Morrison
December 8, 1910: Apparatus back on duty
Paterson Press
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December 9, 1910: Drive shaft issues prevents apparatus from completing a response - stalls at Madison & Leslie Streets
December 10 Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison
January 7, 1911: Apparatus underwent serious (motor overhaul) repair
Guardian courtesy Dennis Morrison
January 25, 1911: Auto Engine (E10) will respond to most fires in the city
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Paterson Press
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February 3, 1911: Engine 3 (Josiah Barton) goes to Engine 10 and Captain Samuel Simonton goes to Engine 3. This is the third captain assigned to the auto engine.
Paterson Press
February 4, 1911: Newspaper details an Engine 10 response
Chronicle February 5, 1911- Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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February 18, 1911: Problematic apparatus back in service
Paterson News - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
April 11, 1911: Accident for new apparatus
Paterson News - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
September 20, 1911: Report from Municipal Journal on motorization of PFD
February 22, 1910: Howe apparatus being overhauled.
Paterson Press
February 26, 1912: E10's Captain Josiah Barton leg breaks in in apparatus incident
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Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison
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February 26 Paterson News - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
August 25, 1912: Howe Apparatus arrives via RR and is taken to 17th Avenue Firehouse
Paterson News - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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June 18, 1912: Captain Barton returns to duty after an on-duty leg fracture
Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
September 4, 1912: Apparatus out of service since a July 4th "accident"
Paterson News - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
October 12, 1912: Guardian
Guardian - courtesy Dennis Morrison
November 16, 1912: More issues with Howe Auto-engine apparatus
Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
Second floor sleeping quarters of 17th Avenue Firehouse
May 18, 1913: Article # 11 in the Chronicle Series on PFD Companies Engine No. 10
Left to right: Front row - Captain Thomas Bush, Peter Howden, Lieutenant William Bloom. Second row: Joseph Greer, James Smith, Joseph Murphy and John Brett. Motorized Howe apparatus in background.
Photo as it appeared in the Chronicle
Photo below is clearer version but is reversed
Front: Lieutenant William Bloom, Peter Howden & Captain Thomas Bush. Rear row is John Brett, Joseph Murphy, James Smith and Joseph Greer
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August 1, 1914: Annual report of the Chief Engineer - Engine Company 10
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July 1, 1916: Two Platoon System begins: (Day and Night Shifts)
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Day Shift
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Night Shift
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Lieutenant William Bloom
John Breet James Smith Paul Schaub |
Captain Thomas Bush
Joseph Greer Peter Howden Fred Haycock |
August 5, 1916: PFD reports motorization (electric powered) of department. Engine 10 to get combination chemical and hose wagon to get a first size steamer with tractor
November 20, 1916: ~ 10 PM - Accident at Madison and 10th Avenues
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November 21 Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison
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Circa 1917 Photos
Circa 1917 photograph
Circa 1917 photographs
Second floor sleeping quarters of 17th Avenue Firehouse
December 19, 1917: Commercial Truck Company Electric Drive Combination Hose and Chemical Wagon (Serial #7100) enters service. The company also received a new Metropolitan Steam Fire Engine with a Commercial Truck Company Electric Drive (battery powered) tractor.
Courtesy Dennis Morrison
Emblem on front is Commercial Truck Company of Philadelphia"
1918 Ball Book Roster
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Captain Thomas Bush
Lieutenant William Bloom Lieutenant Joseph Greer William Milnes John Brett Peter Howden James Smith |
Frederick Haycock
Marinus Baker (Supreme Sacrifice) Paul Schaub John Millington (Killed in action US Armed Forces) Robert Simpson (in US Armed Forces) Joseph Rushton (in US Armed Forces) |
February 14, 1918: Apparatus accident with firefighter injuries
Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
October 12, 1923: FF Peter Howden struck by auto during inspection at Market and East 25th
Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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Peter Howden in a later pho as Captain of Engine 6
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1926 photo of the hose wagon and men of Engine 10
Late 1920s: 1917 Metropolitan Steam Fire Engine of Company 10 steamer working at a fire on Broadway and East 33rd Street. Battery (Electric) powered
1928 Parade -- Dayspring Collection
1929: City of Paterson Manual lists Captains of Engine 10 as: Thomas Bush and vacant
1930 Company Roster
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A Shift
Acting Captain Stuart Summers Walter Pitkethly William Walsh Ferdinand Miller John Brett John Whalen |
B Shift
Acting Captain Joseph Rushton Harold LaRue William Lynch Jr. William Evans Andrew Green John Brown |
January 7 1931: Engine 10 received a 1913 First Size Continental Steam Fire Engine formerly used by Engine Company 3 (which initially had a Christie Front Drive tractor and then reconverted to horse drawn after an accident in 1915). Ultimately it received a Commercial Truck Company Electric Tractor in 1917 (Serial #7091). Its use at Engine 10 was short lived due to an accident (see below) and by acquisition of a new Ahrens Fox pumper in July 1931. This is the last steam fire engine that saw service in Paterson.
January 8, 1931: As mentioned, just after being acquired Engine 10's Steamer crashed into a pole at 4:45 PM at Park Avenue and east 26th Street. The accident happened when E10 driver Edward Haycock swerved to avoid a collision with a taxicab. The front of the apparatus was smashed and fireman Andrew Green was hurled from the rear of the steamer. Company was responding to Station 212 at East 18th and Lafayette Streets.
January 9 Morning Call
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Dayspring Collection
July 16, 1931: 1931 Ahrens Fox Model N-T-4 1000 GPM pumper (Serial #3401), shown below later in its career when it was assigned to Engine Company 3. For a thorough discussion of this apparatus see Ahrens Fox page.
1935: Men of Engine Company 10 A Shift: Acting Captain Stewart Summers, Walter Pitkethly, Wiliam Walsh, Ferdinand Miller, John Brett, John Whalen
1935: Men of Engine Company 10 B Shift: Captain Thomas Bush, Harold LaRue, Joseph Rushton, William Lynch Jr., William Evans, Andrew Green
1936 Ball Book Photo
1937: 1926 Ahrens Fox N-S-4 1000 GPM pumper (Serial #1668) formerly used by Engine Company 5 (note single front bumper).
E 10 Fox apparatus now with deluge gun. Richard Edelman photo
Richard Edelman photo
December 17, 1937: F/F Ferd Miller (a Purple Heart Recipient) helps children of needy
Paterson News
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March 16, 1938: On March 12 5 Paterson Firefighters died at the Quackenbush Warehouse fire. On March 16 the funeral cortege of F/F Rodesky is below passing the quarters of Engine 10 on 17th Avenue
March 16 Paterson News
1940 Paterson Evening News Golden Jubilee - Engine Company 10 Roster
Dayspring Collection
February 3, 1942: Manhattan Hotel 3rd Alarm - Market at Clark Street scene
1944 Annual Report Roster
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A Shift
Captain Peter Howden Johm Brett Walter Pitkethly Ferdinand Miller |
B Shift
Captain James Chaplain John Brown Joseph Rushton Harold LaRue William Evans |
Sometime after November 1948: Engine Company 10 1926 Ahrens Fox in bay at 17th Avenue house. Behind the pumper is the restored 1863 Jeffers Steam Fire Engine used by Washington Engine 3 of the Volunteer Company in Paterson.
Left to right: FF Jim Durkin, FF driver Ralph Miller, Captain Gerard Dugan and FF Adolph Guzik.
1949 Ball book photo of Engine Company 10 "A Shift" Captain Gerard Dugan, Eugene Mariani, Ferdinand Miller and Walter Pikethly
1949 Ball book photo of Engine Company 10 "B Shift" Captain Joseph Semas, Joe Leitner, William Evans and Harold LaRue
December 13, 1949: Santa's workshop at Engine 10 - F/F Ferd Miller (a Purple Heart Recipient)
Paterson News
Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
July 15, 1950: Paterson Evening News lists early 1950 Rosters of Engine 10
December 9, 1956: E10 has accident Broadway and East 33rd while responding to incident
December 11 Paterson News
March 1953: A new 1953 Seagrave 750 GPM pumper (Serial G3795) Model 400B entered service. It had a 150 gallon booster tank. It was in received in Paterson (with 5 others) on February 5, 1953. The cost was $15,754 (1/2 of the cost paid by Civil defense). Had a 150 gallon booster tank.
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September 4, 1953: ENGINE COMPANY 10 - From the Morning Call Series of PFD Companies.
Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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September 4, 1953 and 1954 FMBA Ball Book
Back row L-R: Ernest Wildermuth, Willbert Mariani, David Pickels, Captain Joseph Semas, Harold LaRue. Front row L-R: Ferd Miller, Jim Durkin, Eugene Mariani, Aldolph P Guzik and Captain Gerard Dugan. 1953 Seagrave in background.
Photos outside of Engine 10
Deputy Chief Les Devenport and Captain Gerard Dugan at right (outside E10 quarters)
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Gerard Dugan at right outside quarters
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Circa 1960's era photo
July 7, 1961: Arsonist, an PFD Auxiliary FF at Engine 10 arrested
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June 28, 1963: Engine 10 in accident at Park Avenue and East 26th Street
June 30 Paterson News
1967: Men of Engine 10 with 1953 Seagrave: In front L-R: Captain Harry Asher, Captain Harry Davatellis, John J. Breeze, Herbert J. Stride. Middle row L-R: Edward Allen, Richard Warner, and Thomas E. Hughes. Up top Francis Bergen and Alfred A. Weiss. Note to the rear of the apparatus one can partially see the 1863 Jeffers Steam Fire Engine which was stored at 17th Avenue FH prior to its relocation at the Paterson Museum.
Courtesy J Behnke & Sellitto Family
1967: Men of Engine 10 with 1953 Seagrave: Front row L-R: Captain Walter F. McMahon, Captain Joseph R. Semas, George Maloney, Henry S. Kocian, Harold P. Tuohey Jr. Up top Jack Nargiso, Arthur Nardin, Hubert Donnellan.
Courtesy J Behnke & Sellitto Family
November 18, 1968: Engine 10 at Eastside Park
Courtesy Tonya Kirkham
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January 7 1969: Engine Company 10 and Truck 1 sustained serious damage in a collision at Park Avenue and Summer Street. Engine 10 was responding west on Park Avenue to a two alarm fire at 178 Market Street while Truck 1 heading north on Summer Street was relocating to Headquarters after responding to a false alarm at Straight and Essex Streets.
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Dayspring Collection
Dayspring Collection
Parkin Collection
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November 1969: 1957 FWD Special 1000 GPM pumper (Serial # D80291) formerly used by Engine Company 5
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FF Richie Warner
Tippy Nicolazzo carrying hose and Captain Warren Gallagher near apparatus
Captain Warren Gallagher
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Al Weiss at foot of ladder
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FF Steve Sarappo
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FF Harold Tuohey at left and Steve Sarappo on tight
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June 25, 1971: 1969 Seagrave 1250 GPM (Serial # R4478) formerly used by Engine Company 5. See below with ambulance 93 in January 1972 photo
Engine 10 Todd Hollritt photo - enhanced by Bruce Griff
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Ambulance 93 Todd Hollritt photo
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January 15, 1972: East 29th & 17th Avenue Street fatal accident between car and E10 apparatus returning to quarters. Driver was Rich Warner and Captain Warren Gallagher - both injured
January 18, Paterson News courtesy Dennis Morrison
Captain Gallagher ate right - 1974 fire
Circa 1978 - L-R: Ray Fitzpatrick, Stan Arbus, Vince DeStefano of Tour 3 and EMT Michael "Bandaid" Mincey
Don Giaquinto photo
Tom Geisler & Gary Giese.
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John Harris, Captain Randy Reid & Ernie Scerbak.
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January 30, 1978: 1975 Hahn 1250 GPM pumper (Serial HCP528127621) painted yellow and formerly used by Engine Company 5. The dedication plaque on front of the cab was in memory of Assistant Chief Richard Walmsley.
October 1979: The 17th Avenue Firehouse closed and Engine Company 10 relocated to the new Fire Headquarters at 850 Madison Avenue.
June 2023: PFD address was 198 17th Ave - not 196 as on Church photo below
Courtesy Edward Conklin
October 13, 2023: Todd Hollritt photo
