ENGINE 1 AHRENS 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.

For a comprehensive review of Paterson FD and Ahrens Fox: Click here

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).

The 1945 FMBA Ballbook

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.

Engine Company 1930 H-P-4 Ahrens Fox #2312 with deluge gun on exterior of hosebed

Parked outside i115 Van Houten Street Headquarters - FF are John Cichon driving and Joe Kyle

Dietz Lanterns above hose bed - Deluge gun at aide above suction hose

Drill outside headquarters

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.

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

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

Bell from #2312 - Dayspring Collection

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,

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

Chief Don Simmons Sr.

Engine 1 Fox during Hawthorne's 75th Anniversary Parade - Vince Marchese photo

Chief Don Simmons Sr. behind the wheel

2017 Photos at Mountain View Firehouse in Wayne

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"

Vince Marchese Photo

February 2024 Photos by Ron Bombaro

Note deluge set - When in Paterson Engine 1 was the only Fox (out of 11) that carried a deluge gun

2024 James Wensel photo of restored PFD Ahrens Fox of E1 (at eft) and E9

Restored PFD Engine 1 Ahrens Fox HP 4 pumper - James Wensel Phot 2024

Engine Company 1 Fox

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

Restored by Mountain View Company 1 of Wayne, NJ

Ahrens Fox Engine
Register 2312 Model H-P-4