Evolution of the Paid Department
Major Events from 1900 - 1910
February 1900: The Fire Alarm System was moved to City Hall from the Bridge Street Hose Station and thereby greatly improved.
September 25, 1900: Annual inspection of PFD by aldermen an city officials
Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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April 1, 1901: Chief's annual report prophetically advises that no new apparatus had been purchased since 1891 and engines in service were from 10 to 20 years on steady duty. Hose wagons were from 10-16 years old. He advised immediate purchase of two second class engines and two combination hose wagons.
On June 21, 1901, fireworks exploded in a shop in a four-story tenement at 440 Main Street killing 17 people and trapping tenants in apartments above. Three firefighters were injured.
Rescuers used ladders and life nets to save people ``hanging from the windows ready to drop'' when the engines arrived, according to The New York Times.
The Times described the saving of John McGlone and his wife, who lived on the top floor:
McGlone climbed out of the front window and hung on with one hand while he held his wife to his breast with the other. The ladders were all busy, and one of the life nets from Truck 1 was called into use. Twenty men held it, and McGlone was told to drop. "With a superb show of strength he swung so as to carry his wife away from the building and then let go of her. She dropped into the net through the flame. As soon as she could be rolled out Of the net, it was placed for her husband, and he, too, landed safely in it. Still, the husband and wife were "badly burned by their flight through the flames bursting from the windows below,'' according to the newspaper.
On June 21, 1901, fireworks exploded in a shop in a four-story tenement at 440 Main Street killing 17 people and trapping tenants in apartments above. Three firefighters were injured.
Rescuers used ladders and life nets to save people ``hanging from the windows ready to drop'' when the engines arrived, according to The New York Times.
The Times described the saving of John McGlone and his wife, who lived on the top floor:
McGlone climbed out of the front window and hung on with one hand while he held his wife to his breast with the other. The ladders were all busy, and one of the life nets from Truck 1 was called into use. Twenty men held it, and McGlone was told to drop. "With a superb show of strength he swung so as to carry his wife away from the building and then let go of her. She dropped into the net through the flame. As soon as she could be rolled out Of the net, it was placed for her husband, and he, too, landed safely in it. Still, the husband and wife were "badly burned by their flight through the flames bursting from the windows below,'' according to the newspaper.
February 8-9 1902: The Great Paterson Conflagration: the largest fire in Paterson's and New Jersey History.
April 11, 1902: Annual Report of Chief John Stagg
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Paterson News -Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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November 29, 1902: National Board of Fire Underwriters report on Paterson Fire Department
Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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1903: March - The great Paterson Flood. There was a fire in a submerged district. To reach the fire, firemen had to drag the hose for several blocks through waist deep water which was a swift current. Engine 8 took suction from flood water in the street. Trucks 1, 2 and 3 were called out to aid in relief of people cut off by rush of waters and many daring rescues were made. Over 50 persons were taken from homes by means of ropes and breeches buoys and carried over roofs of buildings several blocks from point of service.
1903: After the 1902 conflagration Paterson made a major effort to upgrade the equipment and purchased two First Size Metropolitan Steam Fire Engines for Engine Companies 1 (in May) and 5 and a 75' Seagrave Aerial for Truck 2.
E1 1903 Metropolitan Steamer
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Truck 2 at 77 Prospect St with new aerial
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1903: Fire Headquarters Office with Chief Stagg and the Fire Alarm Office move to the rebuilt City Hall on Market Street. Superintendent of Fire Alarm John Zeluff is shown in the photo below standing at left with straw hat. Lineman James Curry is at right.
New Fire Alarm Office at City Hall with large "Repeater" in center
1904: Truck Company 1 at 72 Jackson Street receives a new 75' LaFrance Aerial
January 8, 1904: Building Inspection Report
Paterson News - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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January 15, 1904: Fireman Harry Kelley of Engine Company 7 is killed in a fall from a broken ladder at the Hincliffe Brewery Fire. He is credited as being the first paid Paterson Fireman to make the Supreme Sacrifice.
January 30, 1904: Kelly Death & Pension at Brewery discussed. Portland Ladder Company defends the ladder that broke.
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Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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April 4, 1904: Chief Stagg in annual report called attention to the officers and members who risked their lives and health from dangerous positions in the flooded districts of the City in October 1903. Over 50 persons were taken from their homes by means of ropes and breeches buoys and carried over the roofs of buildings several blocks from the point of rescue.
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T3 at flood scene
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1904: Two additional First Size Metropolitan Steam Fire Engines were purchased for Engine Companies 5 and 9.
July 12, 1904: Alderman Meeting - Age criteria and department size change
Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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July 19, 1904: Aldermen increase age entry for firefighters
Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
August 24, 1904: Chief Stagg follows FDNY by successfully experimenting with tandem apparatus pumping
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Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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1905: Mew Jersey legislature passed a new Pension Law Fund, making it lawful for department members to associate and maintain a pension fund for firemen, their widows, dependent parents and children.
1909 Pension Fund Ball Book
Michael Ryan
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Chief Thomas Coyle
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Lieutenant William F. Kane
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Captain William Boyle
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January 5, 1905: Chief Stagg evaluates Newark aerial ladder & contrasts it with PFD Truck 2
June 21, 1905: To consider bids for new apparatus
Paterson News - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
March 27, 1905: FAO receives an alarm register for a trial period. New alarm box installed and Chief Stagg gets a city map with alarm boxes
Paterson News - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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PFD Register reel - Dayspring Collection
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November 5, 1905: The positions of Master Mechanic and Master Carpenter were established with the rank of Lieutenant. The first MM was William H Ward and MC was John Crotty.
William Ward at left and John Crotty at right
December 12, 1905: Two new First Size Nott Steam Fire Engines were assigned to Engine Companies 4 and 8.
April 2, 1906: The rank of Lieutenant was added and 14 men were promoted. This ensured there was always an officer in charge of each company at all times.
April 1906: Size of hydrant connections increased from 4 to 6inches within the fire districts - there were now 1098 single, 162 two-way and 36 3-way hydrants.
February 28, 1907: A new second size Nott Steam Fire Engine was assigned to Engine Company 6.
Truck 3 combination chemical/ladder rebuilt and made to be drawn by three horses.
Truck 3 combination chemical/ladder rebuilt and made to be drawn by three horses.
April 26, 1907: Annual Report of Chief John Stagg - Morning Call
Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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1907: Control of the Fire and Police Departments passes from the Board of Alderman to the newly created Board of Police and Fire Commissioners. |
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June 21, 1907: Order from Chief Stagg re staggering the days off. Firemen worked 6 days (meaning a full 24 hours with meal time-offs) a week - they had one day a week off. This information from the Journal of Engine Company 8
June 21, 1907: Order from Chief Stagg re caution upon crossing the Erie Railroad tracks: this comes from the Journal of Engine Company 8 on Wayne Avenue.
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July 10, 1907: Engine 8 Journal: Chief Stagg orders re care of horses: Hereafter all requests for the Veterinary Surgeon to call and examine or care for sick and disabled horses must be made through Headquarters and the man at watch at Headquarters shall make a record of the same. If the Veterinary Surgeon fails to properly care for or
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Horses being exercised
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neglects to care for a sick or injured horse after it has been placed in his charge, the company commander will notify the Chief Engineer or Assistant Engineer in charge of department so that a proper report can be made to the Board of Police and Fire Commisioner.
August 3, 1907 Engine Company 7 accident as dog attacks horse
Courtesy Dennis Morrison
March 27, 1908: The rank of Deputy Chief is established and on April 3 Patrick Sweeney is appointed to the position on April 3.
September, 1908: Engine Company 7 Silsby steamer is destroyed in a collision with an Erie train at a Getty Avenue crossing and fortunately no firemen were injured. Chief Stagg reported it as one of the best fire engines. He advised that the city not invest in steam fire engines until the use of gasoline motors developed.
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Standard fireman's dress uniform of the day James H. Campbell at left 1908 Michael Comer at right 1912 |
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December 1, 1908: descriptive obituary and funeral of 44 year veteran of volunteer and paid PFD of Engineer Charles Wiley of Engine Company 4
Morning Call - Courtesy DennisMorrison
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August 11, 1909: Captain William Cook (acting assistant chief) was fatally burned at a River Street stable fire. He died on August 14, 1909. |
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1910-1919: Engine Company Response form
Dayspring Collection
Dayspring Collection
January 16, 1910: Retirement of Assistant Chief Mills set for August 1. Vision deteriorating due to injuries suffered in the Great 1902 fire.
April, 16, 1910: 6 Paterson FF (Captain Nolan, Lieutenants Coyle and Specht, FF James Sweeney, Frank Boyle and Stephen Walls) go to NYC to study modern firefighting
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Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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July 1, 1910:
Courtesy Dennis Morrison
July 9, 1910: Chief Stagg issues apparatus driving directive - no faster than a trot!
Courtesy Jim Eifler
July 24, 1910 Pension Fund Issues
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Chronicle - Courtesy Dennis Morridson
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August 6, 1910: Annual Report of Chief John Stagg - Morning Call
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Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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August 6, 1910: Mayor Andrew McBride's Annual report
Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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August 12, 1910: Captain Charles Nolan of Engine 7 and brother-in-law of Mayor McBride temporarily upgraded to Assistant Chief - Many questions of nepotism arose
Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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October 25, 1910: Engine Company 10 was established with the opening of a new firehouse at 198 17th Avenue at the corner of East 26th Street. The departments fist motorized apparatus, a Howe Automobile Combination Fire Engine was put in service. |
1910 Howe Fire Engine
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October 25, 1910: Newspapers reporting illness of firefighters
Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison