The Fully Paid Department
Major Events from 1895 - 1899
November 15, 1895: The department becomes fully-paid as all callmen are replaced by full time firemen who had to live in the firehouses. In actuality many of the existing callmen were hired. The department consisted of one Chief Engineer (John Stagg), two assistant chiefs James C. Mills and John Gilmore), thirteen captains, eleven engineers of steam fire engines, seventy one drivers, hosemen and ladderman, one superintendent of fire alarm (James F. Zeluff) and two linemen. The fireman worked 24 hours a day (with an hour off for breakfast lunch and supper) six days per week. They had one day off per week.
November 16, 1895: Morning Call - Courtesy Jim Eifler
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November 16, 1895 - Morning Call - New rules and discipline for PFD
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Courtesy Jim Eifler
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December 13, 1895: Fire Committee Meeting: Age of new applicants restricted to 20-30
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December 14, 1895: New disciplinary rules
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Paterson News - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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January 4, 1896: PFD affairs and new rules: Assistant Chiefs must sleep in quarters - desk watch hours extended - age limit for new FF - request for a clerk
Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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January 4, 1896: Trial of Captain Campbell
Paterson News
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January 6, 1896: PFD helps Paterson General Hospital restore water supply
January 7 Paterson News
April 28, 1896: Statistics from Chief Stagg's Annual report
Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison
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May 9, 1896: PFD news - Assistant Chiefs to sleep at Headquarters on Hotel Street. 8 special FF to be appointed to cover vacations ($60 per month) - requests for 4 bathtubs in then FHY that did not have them was denied (budgetary reasons)
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May 11, 1896: The first General Alarm in the history of the fully paid Paterson Fire department occurred on at Hinchliffe brewery on Ann Street.
May 16, 1896: Chief Stagg discussing budget with Aldermen
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Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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May 27, 1896: Alderman Fire Department Committee - bids for new extension ladder and wheels for E4 Hose Wagon
May 28 Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison
June 3, 1896: Alderman's Fire Committee Meeting - pay issues and need to move fire alarm to the City Hall
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June 4 Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison
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July 1, 1896: Fire Committee meeting - New horses - New floors for E1 and E8
July 2 Paterson News
June 4, 1986: Budgetary debate
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Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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July 2, 1896: Chief Stagg reports on specs for new horses and FH floor repair (Engine companies 1 and 8)
Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
August 1, 1896: PFD affairs, changes
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Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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Paterson News
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August 19, 1896: Chief Stagg alerts aldermen that Department is in a crippled state
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Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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September 15, 1896: Commemorative photo album presented to Chief John Stagg
Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison
December 5, 1896: Charges against FF Edward Hepp of Engine Company 7
Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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January 2, 1897: Report of 1896 fires
Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison
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Paterson News
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March 31, 1897: Chief Stagg annual report notes there are no reserve engines and during the preceding year PFD" was crippled" for 71 days when apparatus were off duty for repairs. One old steamer (called useless) is at the hose house on Bridge Street. 44 horses are in use and 5 more are needed immediately. Wants the office of lieutenant to be initiated as sometimes, in the absence of the captain, the "acting" captain is not given full respect. Requests that the department headquarters office be relocated to the new City Hall.
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1897 Fire and Water Engineering courtesy Dennis Morrison
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April 19 Paterson News
April 26, 1897: Engineer Charles Wiley charged with drinking on duty
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June 4, 1897: F/F Delaney reprimanded for foul language. Old steamer of Engine 9 to be sold.
June 5 Morning Call
July 2, 1897: Stagg orders extra F/F on duty for the 3rd, 4th and 5th.
Morning Call
August 14, 1897: Rumors of PFD reorganization
Paterson News
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August 13, 1897: Chief reports to alderman committee re problems with certain companies not keeping pressures adequate in steamer boilers
August 14 News clip
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October 17, 1897: PFD in need of hose - Fie Committee meeting
October 18 Paterson News
1898: Tyler Street east of the Erie Railroad is renamed as Twelfth Avenue and the address of the Firehouse of Engine Company 3 changes from 298 Tyler Street to 112 Twelfth Avenue.
January 10, 1898: Firemen request alteration of how they receive their salaries
January 10 Paterson News
February 4, 1898: Chief Stagg report of January 1898 fires
Paterson News
September 8, 1898: PFD news - Captain Reilly needs leave of absence
Paterson News
October 4, 1898: Visiting firemen from Morristown join Paterson firemen for the annual target shoot in Lincoln Park
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Paterson News
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November 14, 1898: Paterson applying asphalt to streets - Warning from Chief Stagg re heat generated by steamers
Paterson News
December 12, 1898: Report on hydrants
Paterson News
December 15, 1898: Committee on FD meeting - supplies for horses
Paterson News
January 10, 1889: Report on 1888 Fires
Paterson News courtesy Dennis Morrison
January 18, 1899: Charges against F/F Delaney for leaving quarters
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January 30, 1899: Chief Stagg's report to Fire Underwriters
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Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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Chief Stagg Report
Paterson Evening News
February 6, 1899: Report of January 1899 fires
Paterson News
February 13, 1899: Chief Stagg recalling famous February fires & PFD sickness
Paterson News
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March 10, 1899: Annual Inspection of PFD by aldermen
March 11 Morning Call
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March 12, 1899: Aldermen Fire Committee Meeting - In first part of meeting, 12 ballots stalled in appointing a new Captain to replace recently deceased Captain Peter Reilly. To view that part of meeting CLICK HERE
March 13 Morning Call
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March 20, 1899: Chief Stagg makes personnel changes
Paterson News
March 29, 1899: Chief Stagg issues new fire alarm response card: on 46 of the boxes only company hose wagons, not the steamers will be part of the first alarm response. This will spare horses from making futile calls pulling the heavy steamers.
Morning Call
April 1, 1899: Chief Stagg recommends removal of the fire alarm system to City Hall and advises that all fire alarm boxes be furnished with keyless doors or key guards enabling any person to send in an alarm without hunting for a key.
April 3, 1899: Chief Stagg Annual Report summary
Paterson News
May 2, 1899: Fire calls during April 1899
Paterson News
May 10, 1899: PFD firehouse inspection
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Mat 11 Paterson News
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May 22, 1899: Station 252 established at John Royle mill
Morning Call
June 13, 1899: PFD News
Paterson News
June 19, 1899: PFD News
Paterson News
June 20, 1899: Captain Campbell & F/F of E7 charged and suspended re June 17 fight
Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison
June 23, 1899: PFD News including follow up above above fight at E7
June 20, 1899: PFD News
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June 28, 1899: Temporary relocation of Truck 2 to car sheds on Broadway
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Morning Call
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July 1, 1899: Firefighter issues brought before Aldermen's FD committee
July 31, 1899: PFD news 40' trussed extension ladder ordered tor Truck 1
Paterson News
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August 7, 1899: PFD News Truck 2 relocated at lower Broadway as Prospect Street resurfaced. Chief Mill's gig refurbished. Firemen's Home in Boonton nearly finished.
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Paterson News
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August 7, 1899: FD News - Chief Mills and FAO gig being renovated. State Fireman's Home in Boonton nearing completion
Morning Call
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August 22, 1899: PFD News
Paterson News
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September 1, 1899: Fire Committee Meeting - bids for new Truck Ladder. Gamewell to buy back some old boxes. Henry Abbott appointed as FA lineman
September 2 News
September 15, 1899: Aldermen Committee on Fire meeting - Proposals for new Truck 2 with bid by Rumsey and Company accepted.
September 16 Paterson News
September 18, 1899: Suspension of Captain William Campbell of Engine 7
Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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September 25, 1899: State Superior Officer's Association of paid fire departments meet at Helvetia Hall in Paterson. Chief Stagg was toastmaster
September 26 Morning Call
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October 9, 1899: Older key boxes being replaced. New hydrants for South Totowa section
Paterson News
October 13, 1899: Changes in personnel. Ed Cusick appointed Captain, replacing vacancy created by resignation of Captain Campbell. Engineer Henry Reid of E6 reprimanded,
October 14 Morning Call
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November 1, 1899: National Board of Fire Examiners inspects the department and recommended 2500 feet of first class hose, replacement of the old hook and ladder truck, that all companies have at least eight men and a building inspection program be started.
November 29, 1899: Paterson firefighters wielding axes and saws worked with police to free passengers from wreck of the Buffalo Express at the Van Winkle Street rail crossing. A train bound for Hoboken sped through a signal and crashed into the express as it waited near the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad station - killing six people and injuring 21 others. This is the worse train accident in Paterson's history.