CHIEF GIGS

Early in its history firemen ran to fires and hand pulled apparatus. Starting 1884 horses and drivers (paid) were introduced and during the transformation to a paid department in 1890 all apparatus including the vehicles used to transport Chief Engineers were horse drawn. The term "GIG" originally referred to a light two-wheeled carriage pulled by one horse. However, the term has withstood time and continues to be applied to motorized vehicles used to transport Chiefs.

1890: Initial Chief's Driver: David Murray
1894: Drivers: Chief - George Pfitzenmeyer;
Assistant Chief - William Stannard & Samuel Miller
Supply Wagon - George Singerland

Chief John Stagg and driver George Pfitzenmeier in their gig in from of the 10 Hotel Street (Later renamed Hamilton Street) Headquarters (early 1900 photo). Notice Dietz Fire King Lantern at rear.

November 25, 1895: Station 24 5:30 PM 353-355 Market Street Kitchen fire
Assistant Chief Gilmore's Gig, driven by Fireman John LaRue had accident on Main Street as it was going to pick him up

November 26 Morning Call

February 11, 1897: 10:00 PM Accident with Chief Stagg's gig (returning from false alarm)

February 12 Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison

September 18, 1897: Axle snaps on Chief Stagg's gig and Chief had to leap off

Paterson News

April 22, 1898: Chief Stagg's Horse, "Frank" ethuanized

April 25 Morning Call

March 10, 1899: ~ 4 PM Chief Stagg's gig, responding to Tyler Street fire held up by train

March 11 Paterson News courtesy Dennis Morrison

May 6, 1899: Responding to Grand and Marshall, wheel of Chief Stagg's gig snaps off expelling the Chief

May 8 News Clip

April 16, 1903: 256 Hamilton Avenue. Chief Stagg's gig strikes mail box and upsets expelling Chief and Driver at Broadway and Paterson Street while responding.

April 17 Paterson News

June 25, 1903: 89:35 PM - Responding to station 363 Assistant Chief Mill's Gig and Hose wagon of Engine 6 collide at Broadway and Carroll Street - gig driver injured

June 26 Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison

March 28, 1905: 742 6:30 PM 10th Avenue & East 33rd Street Oriental Silk Printing
Runaway Gig Horse

May 2, 1905: Gig of Assistant Chief Gilmore driven by FF Kearney (likely Philip) struck a pedestrian

Mat 3 Guardian courtesy Dennis Morrison

1907: Assistant Chiefs James Mills and John Gilmore posed at Hamilton Avenue Headquarters. From the postcard series published this year

October 27, 1907: From a review of PFD published in the Guardian -

At City Hall courtesy Dennis Morrison

At Water Street Firehouse with driver John Gorman

At Hamilton Street Firehouse with driver John McLean

November 14, 1907: While responding to a fire on Mercer Street, the assistant chief's gig was in accident at Edison Light on Prospect Street - driver was John McLean - Chief knocked unconscious.

November 5 Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison

November 15 Guardian courtesy Dennis Morrison

May 23, 1908: Assistant Chief Gilmore's gig in accident at River and Paterson Streets while responding to station 651 at North York and Lyon Streets

Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison

December 12, 1908: Collision at Van Houten and Washington Streets between gig of Assistant Chief Gilmore (driven by Frank Shane) and DC Patrick Sweeney (driven by his son James)

Paterson Press - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

Paterson News

Courtesy Dennis Morrison

August 8, 1910: ~ 12:00 PM Gig axle breaks at Holesman and Water Streets responding to alarm

Paterson News - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

November 28, 1910: Crash as gig responds to Station 521

Paterson News - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

March 18, 1911: A Buick Touring Car, Model 26 automobile was purchased for Chief Engineer Stagg

This was the first motorized Chiefs automobile and never again was the Chief Engineer transported by horses. At right is a 1912 photo with Chief Thomas Coyle sitting in car

Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

February 1912: Chief's gig will be given to Deputy Chief Sweeney and new gig ordered for Chief - in the transition horse "Big Billy" is retired and horse "Ed" is the replacement

Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

June 8, 1912: Department reorganizes from 1 chief, 1 Assistant Chief and 1 Deputy Chief to one Chief and two Battalion Chiefs. A new motorized gig ordered so that all 3 Chiefs now have motorized vehicles.

December 7, 1914: Station 732 Broadway and Summer Streets - 6 Lake Street Attic fire
En route Chief Coyle gig, driven by aide John Anderson collides with jam-packed police vehicle - both were sounding their bells at the times (no sirens in use in 1914)

December 8 Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison

August 5, 1916: Resolution passes fire commission for PFD to get new gasoline powered automobile for Chief.

June 12, 1917: BC Nolan's motorized-gig has accident

Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

June 17, 1912: Upon retirement DC Patrick Sweeney wants to buy horse that pulled his gig

Morning call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

March 1913: BC Charles Nolan, Chief Thomas Coyle and BC Ernest Fields at 115 Van Houten Street Headquarters

June 24, 1915: 3rd BC appointed: 1st Battalion at Headquarters, 2nd Battalion at Engine 9 on Main street (using horse pulled gig) and the 3rd BC to operate out of one of the Riverside houses (? Engine 2 on Highland Street) using autocar gig.

July 1, 1916: Two Platoon System begins: (Day and Night Shifts) goes into effect

Chief's Drivers are: James Campbell, John Anderson, Leo Kane, Edward Ball, Abe Perrius and Michael Comer

Below: From rear to front: Deputy Chief, Chief and Battalion Chief Cars
at 115 Van Houten Street Headquarters. Chief Coyle is in the center car.

Chief Coyle in center gig

Gig Driver James Campbell

January 10, 1915: 9 PM Chief Coyle's gig in accident responding to a west Street fire

January 11 Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison

July 20, 1915: Board of Fire and Police Commission meeting at Headquarters

Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

August 16, 1916: Driver Abraham Perrius retires - was driver of Chief Specht and Nolan

Guardian - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

June 12, 1917: BC Nolan gig accident - Hit trolley pole at Market and Straight Street and was badly damaged. PPD patrol wagon picket the chief up and transported him to the fire. Gig had to be towed back to headquarters

Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrrison

September 14, 1922: Responding to Station 242 at 5:10 PM to a Madison Street garage fire, Chief Nolan's gig strikes a pedestrian -

Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

February 2, 1924: 1:28 PM responding to Station 212, the Chandler touring car of Battalion Chief Specht driven by FF Edward ball in accident at Straight and Van Houten Streets

Guardian - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

March 16, 1925: BC Gig accident (BC Specht)

Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

1929: Headquarters with apparatus and Gigs

1929 photo oh Headquarters at 115 Van Houten Street with apparatus and gigs

Type 61 Cadillac Phaeton -- Chief Coyle and Driver James Campbell

July 16, 1929: Headquarters reception for Chief's Aid John Anderson leaving for a 6 weeks vacation tour

Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

December 4, 1929: Below is a proposal from Brogan Cadillac-LaSalle for a new LaSalle Fleetwood Phaeton for $3010. The car is pictured below.

Type 61 Cadillac Phaeton

1935 photo of A Shift Battalion Chiefs Charles Nolan, Michael Comer, and drivers John Murphy, James Smith, and Edward A. Hancock. 115 Van Houten Street.

1936 Ball Book Photos

Below are B Shift drivers John Anderson, Richard Hickerson and Joseph Dow.

1936 Ball Book

Battalion Chief, Deputy Chief and Head Chief Engineer gigs circa 1936 parked outside Headquarters at 115 Van Houten Street. This photo was in the 1936 Ball book.

Deputy Chief Michael Comer at left below

BC Michael Comer at left

April 10, 1936: Major purchase of 12 new Chevrolet Police Cars and Gigs (note bells on grills) lined up at Fire Headquarters - the PFD gigs are the 2 with bells on their front grills

August 3, 1940: Chief Thomas Coyle receives a 1939 LaSalle with white-wall tires and bell and siren mounted on a special front bumper mount.

courtesy Kevin Behnke

January 21, 1939: Accident report from Battalion Chief Michael Comer

Dayspring Collection

1944 Annual Report -
Chief Car: LaSalle Sedan
2 Chevrolet Roadsters One for Deputy Chief and one for Battalion Chief

List of gigs purchased since January 1945. List composed in 1953

Dayspring Collection

Chief Engineer James Troy and Driver Joseph Dowd with Cadillac (received May 17, 1946 from Brogan Cadillac at a cost of $2734)) parked on apron at 37 23rd Avenue, Home of Engine Company 13, whose Ahrens Fox is seen in background. Photo is late 1940s. This car was quartered at Engine Company 4 on Slater Street as late as 1951.

1947: Dodge coupe Deputy Chief gig at unknown location

Note 3 crossed trumpets on door side panel

Front of the '47 Dodge Coup gig, showing bell and siren is at left in this October 1950 bus accident at Slater and Marshall Streets

November 25, 1947: Collision between Battalion Chief gig (B/C Joe Bray with driver Ray Carr) and Engine 5 (driver George Findlow, acting Captain Willie Comer)at Straight and Market Streets

November 26 Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison

July 15, 1950: List of Chief's Aides & appointment dates

John B Murphy - July 1, 1916
Joseph H Dow - February 16, 1916
Edward A Hancock - February 16, 1916
Richard Hickerson - March 1, 1914
James H Kelley - April 1, 1922

Charles A Wullard - May 16, 1915
Harold J Kane - November 1, 1942
Raymond Carr - April 16, 1942
Joseph Nardella - November 1, 19942

1950 Ford Deluxe sedan parked outside 115 Van Houten Street at right

Circa 1950: Chief's Cadillac outside 115 Van Houten Street. Note Truck Company 2 Ahrens Fox aerial in its center bay.

The above Cadillac was involved in a fatal accident at Broadway and Madison Avenue in which Driver Joseph Dowd was killed while driving Acting Chief Kennedy to a fire

Post 1952 photo: Meeting of the Chiefs of Clifton (left) and Paterson (Hobart Strathearn) with Commissioner Jack Stern in between. PFD gig driver: ? Ed Hancock

April 4, 1952: Chief's gig with driver John B. Murphy

December 4, 1953: From Morning Call Series on PFD Companies

Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

December 4, 1953 Morning Call and 1954 FMBA Ball Book

Chiefs aides outside headquarters at 115 Van Houten Street. Left-right: Mario Colatarci, Joseph Leitner, John B. Murphy, Edward Westhoven, Edward Hancock, William Evans, Charles Wullard, William Comer (future Chief Engineer), James Kelley, Raymond Carr.

August 7, 1955: Gig stolen right out of Headquarters on Van Houten Street

Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

August 8 Paterson News courtesy Dennis Morrison

May 15, 1956: Deputy Chief Titus gig in accident at East 24th Street and Park Avenue.

May 17 Paterson News

April 16, 1957: New gig for 2nd Battalion then at 17th Avenue Firehouse

Morning Call - courtesy Dennis Morrison

April 17 Paterson Evening News

1958: Main Street fire scene with gig and Engine Company 4 new FWD pumper

February 6, 1958: 7:42 AM Gig accident at Madison Street and 21st Avenue. Chief's Aide Ray Carr was driver

Paterson News

June 26, 1959: 7:30 PM B/C Madama's gig in accident at Madison and Getty

June 27 Paterson Evening News

May 9, 1960: A 1960 Ford Ranch Wagon (OE62W205232) Photo below is a 3rd alarm fire at Trinity Methodist Church (143 Carroll Street). This gig saw service as Car 71 (Assistant Chief), on Match 20, 1963 as Car 72 in 1st Battalion, on February 2, 1964 as Fire Alarm Superintendent. Iy went out of service in July 1971

Hancock Collection

April 30, 1962: Responding to an alarm, the gig (Car 72) of D/C Sal Madama driven by F/F Joe Pericelli collides with Engine 5 pumper, driven by F/F Ralph Van Dyke on Church Street

Paterson Evening News

D/C Sal Madama

Chief's Aide Pericelli

1964 Fire: Chevrolet Wagon acquired February 9, 1961 - originally used by Car 74 in 3rd Battalion. Transferred to Fire Prevention February 1964 and sold March 10, 1973.

Hancock Collection

1964: Car 72 (Battalion Chief Gig) a 1964 Chevrolet Biscayne 4 door sedan at 16th Avenue 2nd alarm (#412697184407). In 1969-70 this gig was used by community relations and then sold in 1973

R Salmanowitz/Natoli Collection

June 22, 1964: ~ 7:00 PM Gig of D/C Joe Cucci, driven by F/F Joe Ranieri accident responding to oxygen request has accident at Market and Summer Streets

June 23 Paterson News

Mid 1960s: Gig pulling float in parade

1967: Several Chiefs and their aides seen below with the car (Chevrolet) used by the Assistant Chiefs (Car 71) inside Headquarters at 115 Van Houten Street:

Left: Front to back: Assistant Chief Joseph Dayspring, Assistant Chief Dan Carroll, Deputy Chief George Findlow, Deputy Chief Michael Weiss and Assistant Chief Leo Fitzsimmons. Right side rear to front: Chiefs aide Charles Simpson, Ray Carr, John Palonis, Eddie Westhoven, Joe McCabe, William Savage and Tony Mercadante.

Courtesy Jerry Behnke & Sellitto Family

Car 71: Assistant Chief Theodore Tice, Assistant Chief Michael Fleming, Assistant Chief Gerard Dugan, Assistant Chief William Comer. Chief Aides John Rankin, Fred Ricciardi, Joseph Leitner, James Johnstone, Thomas Ottavino, Pellegrino Vitale

Courtesy Jerry Behnke & Sellitto Family

Chief's Office: posed in front of Truck 2's 1962 Pirsch Aerial at Headquarters. First row: Captain Ferdinand Pelleschi, Assistant Chief Al Capter (drillmaster), Deputy Chief Solomon Reines, Chief Harold Kane, Captain Joseph Bauer; Standing L-R Captain William Flynn, Francis R. Moore, Antohny J. Corsetto, Carmine J Grossi, Russell Stephenson

Courtesy Jerry Behnke & Sellitto Family

Second Battalion (Car 74): Assistant Chief Alfred Micozzi, Deputy Chief Howard Schoonmaker, Assistant Chief Richard Walmsley. Chief's Aides Carmine Caposella, Joseph C. Perricelli at Lakeview Firehouse

Courtesy Jerry Behnke & Sellitto Family

1967: Third Battalion Chief Aides John Mauro, Joseph Ranieri, Assistant Chief Joseph R. Cucci, Assistant Chief Salvatore Madama at Riverside Firehouse. Car 73 - 1964 Chevrolet

Courtesy Jerry Behnke & Sellitto Family

1967 Third Battalion: Deputy Chief Jessie McCavitt, Deputy Chief Wilbert Mariani. Chief's Aides Tommy Waterson Richard Tullo, John Maccanico at Riverside FH with Car 73

Courtesy Jerry Behnke & Sellitto Family

April 1968: - Gig (partial view) at Market & Clark Street 3 alarm fire

Truck 2 1962 Pirsch to the right

Gig at the shop (Lakeview Firehouse). Angelo Contini at left and Vince Valois on right

Shown is a Paterson Chief's Car Bell circa 1960s: very few gigs after 1960s had bells

Drill Masters car at a fire scene in 1970s

Early 1970s Ford LTD Wagon

Car 70 (a 1970 Mercury) at an October 1973 3rd Alarm on Union Ave

November 7, 1974: The position of Chiefs aides are eliminated for Assistant and deputy Chiefs.

1976 Ford Gig destroyed at the Fulton Street Fire April 30, 1978

Car 70 with driver Tony Ziza 1978

Assistant Chief Dayspring and Gig (Car 71) - 1981

May 11, 1981: Aide for Chief Engineer (Car 70) is discontinued

October 1983: Chief's (Car 70) gig parked at Municipal Safety Complex on Broadway

At Madison Ave - but no longer top Chief gig

1983: Second Battalion Chief's Gig at Riverside Firehouse

2nd Battalion Car 73 -- E10 and T3 in their bays

1983 Photo

90th Anniversary Parade (Hancock Collection)

Chief Gig at Madison Avenue House - William Comer era (Anthony Natoli collection)

1985 Parade: Chief's Gig

Chiefs Gig Antonio DeFranco photo

1985 photo of Tour Commander gig at Hillcrest FH with ambulance 91

1985 photo of Tour Commander gig at Madison Avenue Headquarters

1985: Third Battalion at Hillcrest Firehouse

Engine 8 in background

First Battalion Gig at a winters fire scene

Madison Avenue Headquarters

Circa late 1980s: Madison Avenue FH: First Battalion Chief's Gig

1990: Chief Gig (Chief John Mauro)

Chief W Comer at Madison Avenue

May 1991: PFD purchased four Chevrolet Suburbans: 3 going to battalion chiefs 1 to ambulance supervisor. This ended the era of chief's using station wagons.

1995 100th Anniversary Parade: Tour Commander gig

1996: Tour Commander parked at Northside FH

1996: First, Second and Third Battalion Chief Gigs

Second Battalion Riverside Firehouse

First Battalion Southside Firehouse

3rfd Battalion Northside

2000: Tour Commander at Madison Ave Firehouse

2000: Battalion 1 Gig

Southside Firehosue

January 22, 2007:

Herald courtesy Dennis Morrison

2011: Fire Prevention Vehicle

Gig at work - Todd Hollritt photo

2014 Battalion Chief Chevrolet Tahoe's

Paterson Battalion's 1, 2, & 3 2014 Chevy Tahoe's. Photo by Chris Tompkins

2014 Ball Book Battalion 2, Car #74, Tour 3.

2015: Tour Commander

March 2016: Third Battalion gig at Northside FH (Brandon Marsch photo)

May 2016 Third Battalion gig visiting Hillcrest FH

Todd Hollritt photo

2016: Battalion 1

Ron Bombaro photo

November 16, 2016 Tour Commander and Mobile Command Unit -- Ron Bombaro photo

EMS Commander at Madison Avenue FH Bay December 2016

December 15, 2016: Battalion 1 Gig at Lakeview Firehouse BC Brian Rathbone

June 2017: Battalion 1 Gig with BC Michael D'Arco

courtesy BC D'Arco

Bay at Southside Firehouse - courtesy BC D'Arco

B1 gig with gear - courtesy BC D'Arco

B1 in Bay at Southside FH - courtesy BC D'Arco

October 2017: Battalion 1 responding on Madison Avenue at Broadway - Ron Bombaro video

December 28, 2017: Northside FH: Battalion 3 gig with covering Battalion Chief Orlando Rodriquez

January 4, 2018: Battalion 4 opens at McBride Avenue Headquarters and covers center city, Stoney Road and most of Hillcrest.

February 20, 2018: Tour Commander gig at Headquarters (McBride Avenue) - 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe

Deputy 3 - William Henderson

Spare BC Gig (Battalion 4) at McBride Avenue FH

Todd Holritt Photo

June 3, 2018: Gigs at rear of McBride Avenue Headquarters

Chief McDermott with 51

Deputy Chief Spots - 51 (DC K Hancock) at left and 52 (DC Ryan Murray) at right

At left 51 - Chief of Training & Operations - 52 at left

Battalion 4 Gig

June 23, 2018: Battalion 3 responding - Ron Bombaro video

July 19, 2018: Deputy Chief Michael Fleming - Tour Commander Tour 4

Vince Marchese photo

August 2018: First Responder News - Tour Commander's Chevy Tahoe Gig at Southside Firehouse

November 2018: First Responder News

Northside Firehouse

October 13, 2018: Paterson Library "Touch a Truck" event - Bob Connell photo

October 26, 2018: McBride Avenue

Todd Hollritt photo

December 27, 2018: Deputy Chief Kevin Hancock - Chief of Operations but on this evening also running as Tour Commander. Here at McBride Avenue FH

Dayspring Photo

December 27, 2018: Battalion 4 at McBride Avenue Firehouse with BC Orlando Rodriquez

Tour 1 B4 Dayspring photo

Dayspring photo

Vincent Marchese photo

December 27, 2018: Battalion 1 at Southside Firehouse with BC John Bradle (Tour 1)

Dayspring photo

December 27, 2018: Battalion 3 at Northside Firehouse with BC Luis Cruz (Tour 1)

Dayspring Photo

December 27, 2018: Battalion 2 at bay in Riverside Firehouse

Dayspring photo

Rear of Car 2 at right - Dayspring photo

Dayspring photo

Double trumpet insignia of Battalion Chief - Dayspring photo

December 27, 2018: Car 9 (formerly 90): EMS at Madison Avenue Firehouse (Tour 1)

Captain Cruz and Antoci - Dayspring photo

Captain Cruz and Antoci - Dayspring photo 91 in background

January 16, 2019: Battalion 1 - Brian Rathbone

March 2019: Tour Commander Ford Explorer

March 8, 2019: Battalion 1

Courtesy Orlando Garcia

March 13, 2019: Firematic toy becomes available

March 29, 2019: New Tour Commander Gig - lights are in the upper windshield.

April 2019: New Gigs at Headquarters

Jerry Spieziale Director of Public Safety, Mayor Sayegh & Chief Brian J McDermott

Chief McDermott and Director of Public Safety Jerry Speziale

Chief Brian J McDermott - Marchese Photo

Marchese Photo

Marchese photo

April 18, 2018: At McBride Avenue Headquarters - Acting BC Mike Caposella

M Caposella Photo

April 2019: Fire Inspector Gigs- at McBride Avenue Headquarters

May 27, 2019: PFD gigs at Hawthorne's Memorial Day parade

Chief McDermott

Battalion

June 2, 2019: McBride Avenue Firehouse

Battalion 4 - T Dayspring photo

June 2019: 2 white Ford Explorers were repainted red and new graphics added. Two white Ford Escapes were stripped clean and one had the front end repainted (both stayed white) and are used by Fire Inspectors

June 6, 2019 - Samuel T Gaita Sr photo

June 12, 2019: Ron Bombaro slide show of new B4 gig

July12, 2019: Car 6 Fire Investigation Unit

July 25, 2019: Car 6 (Fire Investigation Unit) at McBride Avenue Forehouse

Vince Marchese photo

July 28, 2019: McBride Avenue Firehouse

Todd Hollritt photo

August 24, 2019: Car 6 at 5 alarm fire on Straight Street

September 1, 2019: Battalion 4 at McBride Avenue headquarters and Battalion 1 at 21st Avenue second alarm

Todd Hollritt photo

Chris Tompkins photo

September 11, 2019: Battalion 1 at Liberty State Park

Photo by Bill Tompkins

September 25, 2019: Chief of Department Brian McDermott with Car 1 at McBride Avenue and Battalion 1 Tour 1 B/C Mike Cleenput at Southside Firehouse (Dayspring photos)