71 Wayne Avenue
The firehouse at 71 Wayne Avenue (corner of Liberty Street) was built in 1876 to house Lafayette Engine Company 8 (originally organized in 1872) of the Volunteer Fire Department.
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.
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 the Events and Apparatus at Wayne Avenue
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1887: As PFD put horses in firehouses, paid FF (drivers) were needed. John Ellis who served at Lafayette Engine 8 of Volunteer Department was appointed as paid fireman in 1887 as the first driver of Engine 8. He later retired 1914 |
John Ellis in 1907 photo at Engine 8
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March 20, 1890: The transition from a totally volunteer department to partially paid occurred and at that time Lafayette Steam Fire Engine Company Eight became Engine Company 8. The company remained at 71 Wayne Avenue firehouse.
March 20, 1890: The company used the apparatus of Lafayette Company 8, 1874 Harrell and Hayes Steam Fire Engine with a Walker Hose Wagon.
Initial Roster:
Captain William Boyle,
Engineer Thomas Donahue, Drivers John Ellis and Robert Wright
Callmen: Adam Banghart, John Nagle, James Dunkerly, Jas. C. Matthews Jr., John W. LaRue, Chris. Rafferty, Kerrin Keys, James McMullen
Captain William Boyle,
Engineer Thomas Donahue, Drivers John Ellis and Robert Wright
Callmen: Adam Banghart, John Nagle, James Dunkerly, Jas. C. Matthews Jr., John W. LaRue, Chris. Rafferty, Kerrin Keys, James McMullen
March 19, 1890: Engineer Donahue receives gift from previous employer
March 19 Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison
The inaugural Company Journal of Engine Company 8 from March 1890. For specific entries see history overview page.
July 23, 1890: The department purchases its first new apparatus, A Third size Silsby Steam Fire Engine (Serial # 974). Hose wagon built by Post and Doremus carried 700 feet of hose, two 3-gallon extinguishers and a roof ladder.
August 24, 1890: First run of the new steam fire engine was at Box 62 at 3:04 AM for a General alarm at Thrift and Son's Lumbar Yard on Straight Street near Cedar Street
Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
July 1, 1892: Fire department committee votes to build addition at the rear of Wayne Avenue firehouse
July 2 Morning Call
August 29, 1892: Fire Committee meeting: Engine 8 edition discussed - the addition will be used as a new stable
August 30 Morning Call
Demarcation between original firehouse and new stables to the rear
April 1, 1895: Chief Engineer Annual Report
Manpower Assignment for Engine 8
Manpower Assignment for Engine 8
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Badge Name Rank
85 William Boyle Captain 86 Thomas Donohue Engineer 87 John Ellis Driver 88 RobertWright Driver 89 John Cluney Hoseman |
Badge Name Rank
90 John Nagle Callman 91 James Dunkerly Callman 93 James W. Larue Callman 94 Kerin Keys Callman 95 James McMullin Callman 96 Chris. J. Rafferty Callman |
Apparatus: 1890 3rd size Silsby Steamer in good condition. Post and Doremus hose wagon in good condition with 700' hose, 2 three gallon extinguishers and 1 roof ladder
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 8 color was brown.
July 17, 1891: Fire Committee meeting - sleeping issues at quarters discussed
July 18 Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison
November 15, 1895: Department goes fully paid - callmen eliminated
November 15, 1895: the Fully Paid Department begins:
First Manpower Assignment for Engine 8 (Badge #s)
First Manpower Assignment for Engine 8 (Badge #s)
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Captain William Boyle #80
Engineer Frank Blakely #81 Hoseman Robert Wright #82 Driver John Ellis #83 |
Hoseman James McMullin #84
Hoseman Frank Shane #87 Driver John Gorman #88 Hoseman Samuel Miller #89 (detailed as Assistant Chief Driver) |
Captain William Boyle
February 12, 1904: Report of Chief Stagg on apparatus - Engine 8
Paterson News - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
December 12, 1905: First Size Nott Steam Fire Engine (Serial # 633) with a Robinson Combination Hose Wagon.
Photo below is of the restored apparatus. Full story of the restoration is on the Notable Events page.
1907 Journal entry: documenting an order from Chief John Stagg
October 27, 1907: From the PFD series published in the Guardian
Courtesy Dennis Morrison
1908: NY Sunday World photo of men standing outside firehouse - Standing left to right: James Thomas (driver of engine), James McMulllen (hoseman), John Condon (hoseman), William Farrell (engineer), Charles Firstbrook (hoseman), William Milnes (driver of wagon).
Sitting (L-R): Thomas Halliwell (Lieutenant), William Boyle (Captain).
Sitting (L-R): Thomas Halliwell (Lieutenant), William Boyle (Captain).
NY Sunday World - also 1909 Ball Book
December 1909: Journal of Municipal & Public Works - Chief Stagg report of E8 Nott Steamer
1909: Captain is William Boyle
October 18, 1910: Captain Boyle goes to the new Engine 10 with its auto-engine on 17th Avenue and is replaced by Captain Charles Simonton (of the Chemical 1 Company)
Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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April 1913: Christie Front Drive Tractor planned for attachment to the Nott steamer
May 4, 1913: Article # 9 in the Chronicle Series on PFD Companies
Left to right: Front row - Captain William Boyle, James Thomas, John Ellis. William Lieutenant Robert Wright. Rear row - James McMullin, Harry Lister, Engineer William Farrell and Louis Hassard. To the rear is horse drawn hose wagon (Note ladder on top).
March 11, 1914: Liberty Street and Wayne Avenue Fire Horse electrocuted at Engine 8
March 12 Paterson News courtesy Dennis Morrison
May 20, 1914: Call for full motorization by Fire and Police Commission
Morning Call - Courtesy Jim Eifler
January 1916: A new Christie Front Drive Tractor attached to a new Continental Boiler from Ahrens Fox (shown below)
Match 16, 1916: Second class engine pumps 750 GPM
Evening News - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
May 24, 1916: Joseph Greer made Lieutenant at Engine 8
Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison
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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Captain Josiah Barton
Engineer James McMullen Charles Firstbrook Louis Sassar John Davenport (Supreme Sacrifice) |
Lieutenant Thomas Haliwell
Engineer John Bowden Edward Tuohey Harry Lester Edward Walsh |
July 4, 1916: Retirement of Hoseman Robert Wright
Evening News - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
August 5, 1916: PFD reports motorization (electric powered) of department. Engine 8 to get combination chemical and hose wagon to get a tractor for steamer
1918 Ball Book Roster
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Captain Josiah Barton
Lieutenant Thomas Halliwell Engineer John Bowden James McMullen Charles Firstbrook Peter Sanford |
John Summers
Harry Lister Edward Touhey John Devenport (in US Armed Services) Edward Walsh (in US Armed Services) |
1919: Received a Mack Combination Chemical and Hose Wagon (formerly of Engine Company 1)
December 2, 1922: Accident involving Engine 8 at Totowa and Wayne Avenue while responding to Station 344 at :26 AM
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Evening News - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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July 6, 1923: Apparatus accident on Spruce Street bridge
July 6 Paterson Evening News
December 20, 1927: New Ahrens Fox Model N-S-4, 1000 GPM (Serial # 3311). Apparatus had a dual bumper and pneumatic tires. Received a new transmission in 1942.
January 13, 1928: Last response of Engine 8 Captain Joseph Barton - Returning from Station 514 (Cross and Passaic Streets) which was sounded at 10:18 AM
Press Guardian
Press Guardian - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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Press Guardian - Dennis Morrison
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January 13, 1928 - Paterson News
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Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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Funeral Clip
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1930 Company Roster
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A Shift
Captain Thomas Hunt Christopher Garrity Joseph Grayson Charles Firstbrook Leo Kane Charles Bobrowski |
B Shift
Acting Captain Carl Rose Edward Tuohy Arthur Lutz Harry Dews Charles Gall Frank Corr |
1935: Men of Engine Company 8 A shift: Captain Thomas Hunt, Christopher Garrity, Joseph Grayson, Charles Firstbrook, Leo Kane. Standing on Liberty Street side of firehouse
1936 Ball Book Photo
1935: Men of Engine Company 8 B shift: Captain Carl Rose, M O'Rourke, Edward Tuohy, A Lutz, Harry Dews, Charles Gall. Standing on Liberty Street side of firehouse
1936 Ball Book Photo
1940 Paterson Evening News Golden Jubilee - Engine Company 8 Roster
Dayspring Collection
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1944 Annual Report Roster
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A Shift
Captain John Hess Leo Kane Christopher Garrity Frank Di Barri |
B Shift
Captain Edward Heitzman Carl Rose Arthur Lutz Frank Carr |
1949 Ball book photo of Engine Company 8 "A Shift" Captain John Hess, Henry Westphal, Frank Brocco and Leo Kane
1949 Ball book photo of Engine Company 8 "B Shift" Captain Ed Heitzman, Frank Corr, Michael Hader and William Blakeley
July 15, 1950: Paterson Evening News lists early 1950 Rosters of Engine 8
1952: Firehouse remodeled under Mayor Lester F. Titus
March 1953: A new 1953 Seagrave 750 GPM Model 400 B (Serial # G3794). Had a 150 gallon booster tank. It was received February 5, 1953. The cost was $15,754 (1/2 of the cost paid by Civil defense). Below are the specifications and the equipment carried
August 21, 1953: ENGINE COMPANY 8 - From the Morning Call Series of PFD Companies. For more details on the Volunteer Era CLICK HERE
August 21, 1953 Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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Morning Call August 21, 1953 and 1954 FMBA Ball Book
Left: Front to back - Sabias Recca, Captain Edward Heitzman, Michael Hader, Fallous Baker, William Blakely. Right side: Front to back - Leo Kane, Reginald Ripley, Captain John Hess, Alfred Micozzi
Mid 1950s fire scene: Morningside Florist fire at West Broadway and Katz Avenue
Hancock Collection
Engine 8 on Cumberland Avenue
1967: Men of Engine 8 in quarters with 1953 Seagrave pumper: Front L-R: Captain Reginald Ripley, Joseph Guerrieri, Allan De Ritter, Captain Joseph J. Carr. Rear L-R: William McMaster, Armondo S. Botti, Sabias Recca, Henry Kettmann.
Courtesy J Behnke & Sellitto Family
1967: Men of Engine 8 in quarters with 1953 Seagrave pumper: In front L-R: Robert Gabriel, Ludwig Lentino, Arthur Salmanowitz, Bruce Greenough, Captain William Gallagher, Captain Anthony Laraia. Up top L-R: Francis J Murray, Anthony Ziza, John Cetrano.
Courtesy J Behnke & Sellitto Family
Post-1968 photo of Engine 8 Seagrave (with riot-roof) with FF Hand Kettman in front
March 26, 1970: Received a 1953 Seagrave 750 GPM (Serial#G3791), formerly of Engine company 6.
Running Board of Engine Company 8 at 71 Wayne Avenue
July 7 1971: Engine Company 8 relocates to its new quarters at the Hillcrest Firehouse at 221 Union Avenue.
71 Wayne Ave quarters later used as Ambulance Headquarters
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Years after closing
