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
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, KerrinKeys, 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, KerrinKeys, James McMullen
The inaugaral 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.
Hose wagon and men outside quarters
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.
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
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
Men and Hose wagon of E8 - note scaling ladder on top
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
1909: Captain William Boyle
April 1913: Christie Front Drive Tractor attached to the Nott steamer
January 1916: A new Christie Front Drive Tractor attached to a new Continental Boiler from Ahrens Fox (shown below)
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 |
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)
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 |
December 20, 1930: 1927 Ahrens Fox Model N-S-4, 1000 GPM (Serial # 3311). Apparatus had a dual bumper and pneumatic tires. Received a new transmission in 1942.
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
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
1954 Ball book photo: Left: Front to back - Sabias Recca, Captaiin 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: Captain Reginald Ripley, Joseph Guerrieri, Allan De Ritter, Captain Joseph J. Carr, William McMaster, Armondo S. Botti, Sabias Recca, Henry Kettmann.
1967: Men of Engine 8 in quarters with 1953 Seagrave pumper: Robert Gabriel, Ludwig Lentino, Arthur Salmanowitz, Bruce Greenough, Captain Warren Gallagher, Captain Anthony Laraia, Anthony Ziza, John Cetrano.
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
