PATERSON, NJ FD
  • HOME
  • OVERVIEW
    • FIRST CENTURY
    • EVENTS 1890-1894
    • EVENTS 1895-1899
    • EVENTS 1900-1910
    • EVENTS 1911-1919
    • EVENTS 1920-1939
    • EVENTS 1940-1959
    • EVENTS 1960-1979
    • EVENTS 1980-1999
    • EVENTS 2000-2019
    • EVENTS 2020-2024
    • EVENTS 2025 +
  • FIREFIGHTERS
  • CHIEF ENGINEERS TOTAL
  • CHIEF ENGINEERS PAID
    • ASSISTANT CHIEFS
    • DEPUTY CHIEFS
    • BATTALION CHIEFS
    • CHIEF GIGS
  • FIRE & POLICE COMMISSIONERs
  • THE SUPREME SACRIFICE
    • MEMORIAL SERVICE
  • OBITUARIES / DEATHS
    • 1889-1919 DEATHS
    • 1920-1939 DEATHS
    • 1940-1959 DEATHS
    • 1960-1969 DEATHS
    • 1970-1979 DEATHS
    • 1980-1999 DEATHS
    • 2000-2009 DEATHS
    • 2010 AND LATER
  • NOTABLE FIREFIGHTERS
    • CALAMITA FAMILY
    • CAPTAIN JOHN WEBER
    • CUSACK FAMILY
    • FLEMING FAMILY
    • GERARD DUGAN
    • HANCOCK FAMILY
    • HENDERSON FAMILY
    • HENRY OTIS HARRIS
    • ISAAC FELICIANO
    • JOHN GILMORE
    • JOSEPH DAYSPRING
    • JOSEPH FORBES
    • KEARNEY-FAMILY
    • MARIANI FAMILY
    • McLAUGHLIN FAMILY
    • MURRAY FAMILY
    • PARKIN FAMILY
    • SALMANOWITZ BROTHERS
    • THE SIMONTONS
    • THE SWEENEYS
    • TICE FAMILY
  • NOTABLE FIRES/INCIDENTS
  • SPECIAL OP EVENTS
  • TAKING THE HEAT BOOK
  • HISTORICAL REVIEWS
  • 1907 GUARDIAN
  • 1936 HEARD & SEEN COLUMN
  • FIREHOUSE PHOTOS / FACTS
  • COMPANY & FH HISTORY
  • SPECIAL OPERATIONS
  • EMS
    • EMS ROSTER
  • COMMUNICATIONS / FA
    • FIRE BOX LISTS
    • FIRE BOXES & STANCHIONS
    • EVRS STATION LIST
  • FIRE VIDEOS 1991-2011
  • FIRE VIDEOS 2014-2022
  • DOCUDRAMAS
  • APPARATUS
  • APPARATUS VIDEOS
  • NOTABLE EVENTS INDEX
    • PFD STORIES
    • APPARATUS NOTABLES
    • APPTS & PROMOTIONS
    • AWARDS
    • 1960 CHIEF SELECTION
    • GRAND STREET RIOT 1917
    • GROUND ZERO
    • JOSEPH A MURRAY XMAS BREAKFAST
    • MILITARY
    • PARADES PAID DEPT
    • RED MASS
    • RESCUES
    • RETIREMENTS
    • SISTER LORETTA
    • SPORTS
    • THEATRE DETAIL
  • MEMORABILIA
  • PATCHES DECALS LOGOS SHIRTS
  • WALLPAPER
  • DEPARTMENT PETS
  • TRAINING
  • VOLUNTEER DEPARTMENT
    • 1821 - 1854 HISTORY
    • 1815-1890 VOLUNTEER HISTORY
    • 1888 HISTORICAL SUMMARY
    • LOOKING BACKWARDS
    • VOLUNTEER PARADES
    • ANNUAL REPORTS
    • VOLUNTEER CHIEFS >
      • CHIEF ELECTIONS
      • CHIEF BIOS
    • VOLUNTEER FOREMEN
    • VOLUNTEER PROFILES
    • ANDREW MOSER
    • ENGINE CO APPARATUS LIST
    • OLD GOOSENECK
    • JEFFERS STEAMER
    • VOLUNTEER OBITUARIES
    • VOLUNTEER COMPANIES
  • AUXILIARY FIRE DEPARTMENT
  • EXEMPT ASSOCIATION
    • EXEMPT 1892 BALL
    • EXEMPT BY-LAWS 1902
  • EXEMPT HOME & RELICS
  • FMBA / PFA
    • FMBA BY-LAWS
    • FMBA 1949 FOLLIES
    • FMBA VIDEOS
  • BALLBOOKS
    • 1909 BALL BOOK
    • 1916 BALL BOOK
    • 1918 BALL BOOK
    • 1921 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1923 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1928 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1935 PFD BOOSTER
    • 1936 JANUARY PICTORIAL
    • 1936 DECEMBER PICTORIAL
    • 1937 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1938 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1939 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1941 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1942 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1943 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1944 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1945 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1946 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1947 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1948 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1949 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1950 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1951 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1952 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1953 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1954 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1955 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1956 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1957 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1958 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1959 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1960 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1961 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1962 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1963 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1964 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1965 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1966 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1967 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1968 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1969 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1970 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1971 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1972 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1973 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1975 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1976 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1977 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1979 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1980 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1981 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1982 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1983 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1984 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1985 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1986 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1987 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1988 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1989 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1990 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1991 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1992 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1993 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1994 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1995 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1996 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1997 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1998 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1999 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2000 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2001 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2002 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2003 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2004 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2005 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2010 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2011 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2014 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2016 ANNUAL BALL
  • ANNUAL REPORTS
  • PFH CONTRIBUTORS
  • ORAL HISTORY
  • STATISTICS
  • CONTACT
  • CITY OF PATERSON

Engine Company 1 Fox

Ahrens Fox Engine 
​Register 2312  Model H-P-4
​

Restored by Mountain View Company 1 of Wayne, NJ

Fred E. Benson, a Paterson resident became Ahren's Fox's New York sales territory representative on April 1, 1929, and lobbied Paterson to be his first major customer ordering multiple rigs. By 1935, 11 of Paterson's Engine Companies and all 3 of its Truck Companies were Ahrens Fox.
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For a comprehensive review of Paterson FD and Ahrens Fox: Click here
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​On September 4, 1929 the deal for seven 1000 GPM piston pumpers at $13,500 each and an 85' aerials at $16,750, became a formal contract signed by Charles Fox and Paterson officials.
​Ultimately, from this contract PFD received an 85' aerial for Truck Company 2 (register 2046) and 1000 GPM pumpers for (in order) Engine Companies 2 (Reg 3377), 1 (Reg 2312), 7 (Reg 3389), 9 (Reg 3390) and 10 (Reg 3401). 
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The 1945 FMBA Ballbook
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Biff The Fire Dog, a 1936 children's book using PFD Ahrens Fox graphics
Engine Company 1's Ahrens Fox was the huge, powerful Model H-P-4 that had been offered in the 1929 contract at the same $13,500 price of the less powerful N-S-4 model. It was shipped on October 16, 1930 as Register #2312. It had a six cylinder 5-7/8" x 7" motor (#2496) and a six cylinder piston pump with three cylinders of 4-1/4 x 6" and three of 3-1/2" x 6" (the N-S-4 had only a 4 cylinder pump). It was the first Paterson Fox with the flat-front fenders and 10 lug Budd wheels. It was also the only Paterson Fox with suction reducers on both sides of the "Y" pump inlet at front of apparatus. #2312 went into service as Engine Company 1 at Fire Headquarters at 115 Van Houten Street. It replaced Engine Company 1's 1927 Ahrens Fox #3310 which was transferred to Engine Company 3 on 12th Avenue, replacing their 1913 Ahrens Fox Continental steamer with an electric-tractor.
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Engine Company 1930 H-P-4 Ahrens Fox #2312 with deluge gun on exterior of hosebed
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Parked outside i115 Van Houten Street Headquarters - FF are John Cichon driving and Joe Kyle
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Dietz Lanterns above hose bed - Deluge gun at aide above suction hose
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Drill outside headquarters
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Engine 1 Fox Pumper (#2312) is at right parker on Clark Street, just off Market Street - February 3, 1942 Manhattan Hotel Fire)
​The pump of #2312 was completely rebuilt in October 1942. ​

During January 1952 #2312 was transferred to Engine Company 4 at 149 Slater Street replacing Ahrens Fox pumper #1669. Soon after the transfer to E4, one of the two windshields that had been donated to Paterson by Ahrens Fox Eastern Sales agent Frank Griesser was installed making Fox #2312 the only Paterson Fox pumper to sport a windshield. 
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Fox #2312 as Engine Co 4 (quartered at Slater Street firehouse) with newly installed windshield in 1952. Parked on Temple Street.
March 1953: 1930 Ahrens Fox Model H-P-4 1000 GPM pumper (Serial #2312) formerly used by Engine Companies 1 and 4 was transferred to Engine Company 11 at 97 Grand Street
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Fox #2312 - note siren location on apparatus side below driver's seat
The bell, which sat in front of windshield while in service at PFD is now in the Firemen's Museum at the Boonton, NJ Firemen's Home
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Bell from #2312 - Dayspring Collection
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At the Firemen's Museum in Boonton, NJ
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At the Firemen's Museum in Boonton, NJ

The closing chapter on the Ahrens Fox pumpers occurred in January 1958 when Paterson acquired four new 1957 FWD pumpers. The Foxes of Engine 7 (#3389), Engine 9 (#3390), Engine 11 (#2312) and for Engine 13 (#3401) were retired. For the first time in 32 years no Ahrens Fox pumpers responded to Paterson fires.

Fox pumper #2312 was obtained and restored by Mountain View Fire Company of Wayne, NJ and #3371 (Engine Company 9) Fox pumper #3390 by West Paterson, 
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During his 48 years as a volunteer with the department, Don Simmons Sr., who served three terms as Chief. He took great pride in caring for his fire company’s antique 1930 Ahrens Fox Pumper. He loved to ride it in the local parades and he was regimental about keeping it well cared for and looking its best
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Chief Don Simmons Sr.
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Engine 1 Fox during Hawthorne's 75th Anniversary Parade - Vince Marchese photo
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Chief Don Simmons Sr. behind the wheel
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Chief Don Simmons Sr. behind the wheel
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2017 Photos at Mountain View Firehouse in Wayne
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Vince Marchese photo
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Vince Marchese photo
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Vince Marchese photo
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Vince Marchese photo
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Vince Marchese photo
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Vince Marchese photo
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Vince Marchese photo
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Vince Marchese photo
2017: Since the above photos, Ahrens Fox 2313 in 2017 underwent  a major renovation by TV personality Jay Leno and was featured of his show "Jay Leno's Garage"
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Vince Marchese Photo
February 2024 Photos by Ron Bombaro
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Note deluge set - When in Paterson Engine 1 was the only Fox (out of 11) that carried a deluge gun
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2024 James Wensel photo of restored PFD Ahrens Fox of E1 (at eft) and E9
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Restored PFD Engine 1 Ahrens Fox HP 4 pumper - James Wensel Phot 2024
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  • HOME
  • OVERVIEW
    • FIRST CENTURY
    • EVENTS 1890-1894
    • EVENTS 1895-1899
    • EVENTS 1900-1910
    • EVENTS 1911-1919
    • EVENTS 1920-1939
    • EVENTS 1940-1959
    • EVENTS 1960-1979
    • EVENTS 1980-1999
    • EVENTS 2000-2019
    • EVENTS 2020-2024
    • EVENTS 2025 +
  • FIREFIGHTERS
  • CHIEF ENGINEERS TOTAL
  • CHIEF ENGINEERS PAID
    • ASSISTANT CHIEFS
    • DEPUTY CHIEFS
    • BATTALION CHIEFS
    • CHIEF GIGS
  • FIRE & POLICE COMMISSIONERs
  • THE SUPREME SACRIFICE
    • MEMORIAL SERVICE
  • OBITUARIES / DEATHS
    • 1889-1919 DEATHS
    • 1920-1939 DEATHS
    • 1940-1959 DEATHS
    • 1960-1969 DEATHS
    • 1970-1979 DEATHS
    • 1980-1999 DEATHS
    • 2000-2009 DEATHS
    • 2010 AND LATER
  • NOTABLE FIREFIGHTERS
    • CALAMITA FAMILY
    • CAPTAIN JOHN WEBER
    • CUSACK FAMILY
    • FLEMING FAMILY
    • GERARD DUGAN
    • HANCOCK FAMILY
    • HENDERSON FAMILY
    • HENRY OTIS HARRIS
    • ISAAC FELICIANO
    • JOHN GILMORE
    • JOSEPH DAYSPRING
    • JOSEPH FORBES
    • KEARNEY-FAMILY
    • MARIANI FAMILY
    • McLAUGHLIN FAMILY
    • MURRAY FAMILY
    • PARKIN FAMILY
    • SALMANOWITZ BROTHERS
    • THE SIMONTONS
    • THE SWEENEYS
    • TICE FAMILY
  • NOTABLE FIRES/INCIDENTS
  • SPECIAL OP EVENTS
  • TAKING THE HEAT BOOK
  • HISTORICAL REVIEWS
  • 1907 GUARDIAN
  • 1936 HEARD & SEEN COLUMN
  • FIREHOUSE PHOTOS / FACTS
  • COMPANY & FH HISTORY
  • SPECIAL OPERATIONS
  • EMS
    • EMS ROSTER
  • COMMUNICATIONS / FA
    • FIRE BOX LISTS
    • FIRE BOXES & STANCHIONS
    • EVRS STATION LIST
  • FIRE VIDEOS 1991-2011
  • FIRE VIDEOS 2014-2022
  • DOCUDRAMAS
  • APPARATUS
  • APPARATUS VIDEOS
  • NOTABLE EVENTS INDEX
    • PFD STORIES
    • APPARATUS NOTABLES
    • APPTS & PROMOTIONS
    • AWARDS
    • 1960 CHIEF SELECTION
    • GRAND STREET RIOT 1917
    • GROUND ZERO
    • JOSEPH A MURRAY XMAS BREAKFAST
    • MILITARY
    • PARADES PAID DEPT
    • RED MASS
    • RESCUES
    • RETIREMENTS
    • SISTER LORETTA
    • SPORTS
    • THEATRE DETAIL
  • MEMORABILIA
  • PATCHES DECALS LOGOS SHIRTS
  • WALLPAPER
  • DEPARTMENT PETS
  • TRAINING
  • VOLUNTEER DEPARTMENT
    • 1821 - 1854 HISTORY
    • 1815-1890 VOLUNTEER HISTORY
    • 1888 HISTORICAL SUMMARY
    • LOOKING BACKWARDS
    • VOLUNTEER PARADES
    • ANNUAL REPORTS
    • VOLUNTEER CHIEFS >
      • CHIEF ELECTIONS
      • CHIEF BIOS
    • VOLUNTEER FOREMEN
    • VOLUNTEER PROFILES
    • ANDREW MOSER
    • ENGINE CO APPARATUS LIST
    • OLD GOOSENECK
    • JEFFERS STEAMER
    • VOLUNTEER OBITUARIES
    • VOLUNTEER COMPANIES
  • AUXILIARY FIRE DEPARTMENT
  • EXEMPT ASSOCIATION
    • EXEMPT 1892 BALL
    • EXEMPT BY-LAWS 1902
  • EXEMPT HOME & RELICS
  • FMBA / PFA
    • FMBA BY-LAWS
    • FMBA 1949 FOLLIES
    • FMBA VIDEOS
  • BALLBOOKS
    • 1909 BALL BOOK
    • 1916 BALL BOOK
    • 1918 BALL BOOK
    • 1921 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1923 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1928 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1935 PFD BOOSTER
    • 1936 JANUARY PICTORIAL
    • 1936 DECEMBER PICTORIAL
    • 1937 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1938 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1939 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1941 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1942 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1943 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1944 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1945 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1946 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1947 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1948 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1949 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1950 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1951 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1952 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1953 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1954 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1955 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1956 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1957 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1958 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1959 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1960 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1961 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1962 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1963 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1964 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1965 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1966 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1967 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1968 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1969 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1970 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1971 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1972 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1973 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1975 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1976 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1977 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1979 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1980 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1981 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1982 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1983 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1984 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1985 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1986 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1987 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1988 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1989 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1990 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1991 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1992 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1993 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1994 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1995 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1996 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1997 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1998 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1999 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2000 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2001 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2002 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2003 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2004 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2005 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2010 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2011 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2014 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2016 ANNUAL BALL
  • ANNUAL REPORTS
  • PFH CONTRIBUTORS
  • ORAL HISTORY
  • STATISTICS
  • CONTACT
  • CITY OF PATERSON