EVENTS 1911-1919

Evolution of the Paid Department

Major Events from 1911 - 1919

1911: date ? From Municipal Journal - PFD obtains pyrene fire extinguishers to be placed on gigs and Truck Companies

Municipal Journal - January-July 1911

January 14, 1911: George Pfizenmaier initially a tillerman, has served 27 years for both Volunteer and paid PFD with 19 years as Chief's Stagg's driver

Morning Call

Pfizenmaier, Chief Stagg and "Ned"

January 30, 1911: FF reassignments

Paterson Press - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

February 18, 1911: Decisions by Fire Commissioners

Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

Joseph Murphy

February 20, 1911: Salary Issues

Paterson News - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

February 20, 1911: Training school will not be at hose house but rather at Almshouse. Interior of new Van Houten Street headquarters described. Discussion of Stony Road and Northside Firehouses. Number of horses to shrink.

Paterson News - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

February 23, 1911: Plans for move to Van Houten Street Headquarters, Stony Road and North Third Street

Paterson News - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

March 15, 1911: Fire Commissioner and Chief Stagg travel to Massachusetts seeking new apparatus for Temple Street (Circle Ave) firehouse

The Press - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

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

Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

March 25, 1911: Firemen desire uniform change

Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison

May 1, 1911: Chief demonstrates auto-engine for visiting Frederick Maryland FF and as onted luckily it did not break down

Paterson News - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

May 4, 1911; PFD realignment

Paterson News - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

May 8, 1911: Chief Stagg plan to allow FF to work in the firehouses nearest to their homes

Paterson News - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

June 18, 1911: Chronicle runs a series on the changing PFD

Courtesy Dennis Morrison

July 1, 1911: Attempt to injure/assassinate Chief John Stagg

Press Guardian - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

July 26, 1911: Six officers and men sent to New York fire headquarters to receive instructions in pompier ladders and other devices for the rescue of persons from upper floors of buildings. Later in year a drill tower was prepared at the City Almshouse on Redwood Avenue.

August 8, 1911: Chemical Engine Company 1 was renamed as Engine Company 11 and the apparatus was rebuilt and motorized. Now had double tank with automatic chassis.

October 5 or 6th, 1911: Tragic death (off-duty) of Lieutenant William Davis of Engine Company 1

October 11 - Press Guardian - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

Morning Call - Courtesy Jim Eifler

October 2, 1911: Chief Stagg's report of the International Association of Fire Chief's Meeting in Milwaukee re auto-apparatus

Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

November 21, 1911: Fire & Police Commission set apparatus speed limts

Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

December 22, 1911: Newly motorized Metropolitan Steamers if Engine 1 and 5 being tested in Minneapolis before being returned to Paterson

Paterson News - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

January 11, 1912: Motorized Hose Wagons

January 12 Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison

January 10, 1912: Motorized steamers arrive via railroad

Paterson Press - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

January 10, 1912: New Engines Arrrive

January 11 Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

January 12, 1912: Issues of concern with operation of new Nott propelled steamers

Guardian courtesy Dennis Morrison

January 15, 1912: Engine 1 Nott propelled steamer goes out for its first ride

Guardian courtesy Dennis Morrison

January 19, 1912: New Engine 1 and 5 powered by Nott Tractors to be tested

Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

January 24, 1912: Drivers for new motorized steamers named

Paterson News - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

January 25, 1912: New motorized steamer of Engine 5 tested - Engine 1 had issues and did not take test Hose wagons of Engine 1 and 56 also tested -

Morning Call

February 1, 1912: New apparatus approved by Police and Fire Commission

Guardian courtesy Dennis Morrison

February 16, 1912: Chief Stagg to be asked for resignation

Paterson News - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

February 10, 1912: Engine 1 tested

Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

Engine 1 on Broadway

February 12, 1912: Engine 1 and 5 Hose Wagons

Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

February 12, 1912: Chief Stagg makes charges against Captain Nolan of Engine 7
(brother-in-law of Mayor McBride)

Paterson News - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

February 16, 1912: Retirement of Chief Stagg under discussion

Paterson News - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

February 1912: Engine Companies 1 and 5 had Nott Propelling Tractors attached to their Metropolitan Steamers.

February 25, 1912: New auto-engine hose carts

Paterson Chronicle - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

February 29, 1912: False alarm issues

March 1, 1912 Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

March 2, 1912: Headquarters almost ready

Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

March 10, 1912: Changes and transfers as two new firehouses open

Chronicle - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

March 11, 1912: Vacation (a rest) mandated for Chief Stagg. Patrick Sweeney will serve as Acting Chief and Caotain Fields of Engine 1 to be acting deputy chief

Guardian courtesy Dennis Morrison

March 15, 1912: Chief has issues with Mayor McBride's brother-in-law Captain Charles Nolan and with interference from Mayor

Paterson News - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

March 16, 1912: Chief Stagg to leave?

Paterson News - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

March 18, 1912: Captain of Engine Company 11 moves into a new Firehouse at 97 Grand Street.

March 18, 1912: Fits response of Acting Deputy Chief Fields - 118 Holsman Street

Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

March 19, 1912: The new Central Fire Headquarters opens at 115 Van Houten Street. Engines 1 and 5 relocate there. Engine Company 12 is organized and initially operates at the vacated by Engine 5 firehouse on Water Street using a spare horse drawn combination hose wagon apparatus.

Architect's Drawing December 1911 Paterson Evening News - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

115 Van Houten Street

March 20, 1912: New apparatus in service at Headquarters on the 22nd anniversary of the establishment of paid PFD. Engine 11 moved to the new "Stoney Road" firehouse on Grand Street and Hamilton Street FH abandoned

Courtesy Jim Eifler

March 25, 1912: Chief's Stagg's career comes to end

Paterson News - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

March 28, 1912: New Fire Headquarters is opened for public inspection

Courtesy Dennis Morrison

March 31, 1912: Departmental changes

April 10, 1912: Morning Call

Courtesy Dennis Morrison

April 15, 1912: PFD hires a national driving expert John Muller to teach Paterson FF how to drive motorized apparatus: training starts with a touring car, progresses to a hose wagon and then moves on to a big motorized steam fire engine

Morning Call - Curtesy Dennis Morrison

Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

May 9, 1912: Behind the scenes PFD Reorganization makes the news

Paterson News - Curtesy Dennis Morrison

May 20, 1912: Chief Stagg and Gilmore to retire June 30

Paterson News - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

May 18, 1912: New proposal replaces Chief and two Assistant Chiefs with Chief and Two Battalion Chiefs. Assistant Chief Gilmore and Deputy Chief Sweeney to retire, vacating those ranks.

Paterson News - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

June 8, 1912: Paterson Guardian discusses new chief officers and establishing the rank of Battalion Chief.

Courtesy Jim Eifler

June 8, 1912: New Department Appointments - Motorized gig ordered so that all Chiefs now have motorized vehicles. Engine 12 pumper and new Truck Tractor ordered.

Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

June 8, 1912

Paterson Press - Courtesy Jim Eifler

June 8, 1912: A new motorized gig ordered so that all 3 Chiefs now have motorized vehicles.

June 12, 1912: News article on upcoming July 1 retirement of Assistant Chief Gilmore

Paterson News - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

June 13, 1912: PFD Movie

Paterson Press- Courtesy Jim Eifler

June 22, 1912: New FF assignments

June 30, 1912: Having served continuously in the department from the time of the volunteer service, Chief Stagg, Deputy Chief Sweeney and Assistant Chief Gilmore were retired.

July 1, 1912: Lieutenant Thomas Coyle promoted to Chief Engineer . Deputy Chief Ernest S. Fields was appointed to succeed Chief Sweeney. The rank of Battalion Chief is established.

September 21, 1912: Motorization of Truck 2

The Guardian courtesy Dennis Morrison

October 2, 1912: Climate issues force early use of winter uniforms

Paterson News - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

October 31, 1912: Critical article suggesting motorization (apparatus described as useless) has been costly and worsened PFD and put the city in danger.

Paterson News - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

Article at left: Chief Coyle has delegated Engine 8 from the Totowa Section to do duty in the firehouse of old Engine No. 1 opposite the Central station. The company will remain here until the machines are back in service. Engine No. 8 is horse drawn.

Over on Water Street is the fire house formerly occupied by Engine No. 5, the new $5000 pumping engine purchased from the Robinson Company is standing like so much junk. Since its arrival in this city it has never been in service and the Police and Fire Commission have demanded that an entire new crank crane shaft be installed. There is great secrecy about the general condition of the machine and it is with greatest difficulty that information be secured even from the officers in charge. The secrecy is maintained it is said on orders of the Mayor and his commissioners who do not want the public to know of the "lemons" that have been handed to the taxpayers.

November 12, 1913; Annual Report of Mayor Andrew McBride (courtesy Dennis Morrison)

November 19, 1912:

Paterson Press - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

November 11, 1912: Water and Prospect Street Firehouses go up for auction

Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

November 22, 1912: Nott (name is misspelled in news clip below) Manufacturing representatives in town to evaluate chronic malfunction of Engines 1 and 5 which have Nott Propelling Tractors

Paterson News - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

November 26, 1912: Switzerland manufacturer (Sanwold) puts their gasoline-powered apparatus on display at PFD Headquarters

Courtesy Dennis Morrison

December 13, 1912: Truck Company 2 is motorized with a Christie Front Drive tractor and the company relocates to the new Central Fire Headquarters at 115 Van Houten Street. Christie front drive tractor units were produced to replace horses and sold to fire departments worldwide by J. Walter Christie who was America's pioneer front drive proponent. Over 600 Christie vehicles were built from 1908 through 1913

December 9, 1912: PFD faced several issues when motorization began

The Chronicle - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

December 14, 1912: Mayor hoping to eliminate horses

Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

December 16, 1912: PFD transfers

Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

December 22, 1912: Civil Service Law becomes operative

December 23, 1912: More issues with apparatus - several fail at Pope Mill fire. Horse drawn engines save the day.

Paterson News - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

December 25, 1912: Insurance underwriters evaluate Paterson FD

Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

December 28, 1912:

December 28, 1912 - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

December 29, 1912: Chief Coyle answers critics

Courtesy Dennis Morrison

December 30, 1912: Motorization was causing maintenance issues with PFD and Mayor Andrew McBride and Chief Thomas Coyle had differing ideas on how to solve the problems

Paterson Press - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

December 30, 1912: Chief Coyle comments on motorized apparatus

Paterson Press - Courtesy Jim Eifler

December 30, 1912: Expert criticizes PFD apparatus choice

Paterson News - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

December 30, 1912:

Paterson News - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

December 31, 1912: A defense of the auto-apparatus

Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

1913: PFD Award Winning photo of Fire Headquarters taken in 1913 -
Morning Call Photo Contest was in 1938

Front: L-R: George Singland, Captain William Allen, Michael Ryan, Lieutenant John Walsh, Drillmaster John Weber, Joseph Titus. Rear L-R: John Brady, Captain Thomas Hunt, Captain John Roach, Stephen Walls, Edward Tuohey, Captain John Biernes (misspelled below), J Kannause, Joseph Greer, James McMullen, Peter Sandford, Cornelius Kennedy, Luke Cannon

January 3, 1913: Haledon NJ FD honors Chief Stagg

Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

January 10, 1913: Engine Company 12 moves into the new firehouse at 36 Circle Avenue with a new Robinson Motor combination apparatus.

January 27, 1913: PFD makes the decision to install bells on all apparatus - to replace the gongs (similar to those on trolleys)

Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

PFD Chiefs Gig - Dayspring Collection

PFD Apparatus Bell - Dayspring Collection

PFD Ahrens Fox Bell - Dayspring Collection

March 25, 1913: PFD helps PPD during a mill strike

Guardian courtesy Dennis Morrison

1913: Motorization continues with a Christie Front Drive Tractor attached to Engine 8 in April, Engine 9 and Truck 1 on May 23. and finally Engine Company 6 on August 1. As of July 1, only 36 horses remained in service.

Engine Company 6 - Market Street

Truck Company 1 - Jackson Street

Engine 8 with Christie Front Drive Tractor attached to Nott Steamer shown below.

Outside quarters at 71 Wayne Avenue

April 11, 1913: Issues with older steamers Engine 3 and 7

Guardian courtesy Dennis Morrison

April 12, 1913: New first sized, motorized (Christie Front Drive) steamer on order for Engine 3on 12th Avenue

Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison

July 11, 1913: Fire and Police Commission meeting - motorization to continue - horses to be sold. Bisds for new appparatrus

July 12 Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison

Note typo - Fix should be Fox

July 30, 1913: Truck 1 now motorized and to go on duty

July 31 Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison

September 6, 1913: Engine Company 3 receives a new Ahrens Fox Continental Steam Fire Engine with a Christie Front Drive Tractor.

September 19, 1913: Reverend Edward F. Hillock assistant pastor of St. John's R.C. church appointed as the first chaplain of the department.

September 29, 1913; New FF assignments

Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison

October 13, 2013: Frank Dowdall (at right) and William Walsh are the first firemen appointed under the Civil Service Law. 26 of 36 who took the exam failed. Dowdall ultimately became a Battalion Chief in 1948

January 26, 1914: Off duty inebriated FF has accident

January 27 Morning call courtesy Dennis Morrison

January 28, 1914: Fire and Police Commission meeting - Richard Hickerson appointed

January 29 Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison

February 24, 1914: Chief Coyle takes stand on drinking

Paterson Press - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

February 28, 1914: Fire and Police Commission Meeting

Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

April 18, 1914: Fire Apparatus get right of way

Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

May 20, 1914: Call for full motorization by Fire and Police Commission

Morning Call - Courtesy Jim Eifler

May 22, 1914: Hopes for PFD improvements

Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

June 6, 1914: Reverend Dorwatt resigns as Chaplain

Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

June 26, 1914: Reverend John C. Bolton of M.P. Church appointed chaplain.

August 29, 1914: FD saves money in last year by conversion to motorized apparatus

August 29 Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison

November 6, 1914: Fire and Police board meeting - Arthur Fisher and William Meek appointed - Joseph Chapman retired

November 7 Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison

November 24, 1914: FF Transfers - Engine 11 is a slower house

Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison

January 27, 1915: Inspection of PFD by Commissioners

Paterson Evening News - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

January 30, 1915: New hose wagons with chemical tanks and running boards to carry FF planned

Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

February 3, 1915: Rules regarding F/F behavior on trolleys

Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison

April 7, 1915: Fire and police Commission present gold badges to chaplains

April 15, 1915: A two platoon system law was passed and then adopted in November.

June 5, 1915: Third Battalion Chief position to be created - John Specht appointed

Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

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 3, 1915: Captain John Specht, who was appointed as a firefighter on March 20, 1890 officially becomes the 3rd Battalion Chief in PFD history. He had previously served with the volunteer department

Paterson Evening News - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

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

Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

August 12, 1915: Headquarters has smoke damage from steamers below

Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison

August 21, 1915: Auction sale of horse drawn gigs and Germania 2 Hook an Ladder truck

Morning Call

September 4, 1915: Fire and Police Commission meeting

Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

October 15, 1915: Firemen campaign for two-platoon system

Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

December 20, 1915: Firehouse needs in Totowa section

Morning Call - Courtesy Pat Henderson

January 6, 1916: Engineer Thomas Donahue and FF Edward Hepp file for pension. The former was the inventor of the automatic fire lighter (subsequently used throughout the US) which got the steamer boilers ready for action

Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison

Engineer Thomas Donohue 1908 (at E5)

FF Edward Hepp 1908 (E9)

January 9, 1916: Fire & Police Commission ban cigarette smoking in FH

Paterson Guardian - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

July 1, 1916: The two platoon shift system goes into effect: A and B shifts created. Thirty five new firemen are appointed.

From the June 30th Guardian - courtesy Dennis Morrison

July 7, 1916: FMBA thanks citizens of Paterson

Evening News - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

August 4, 1916: Fire and Police Commission passed a resolution to immediately solicit bids for electric powered propulsion tractors for Engines 1, 2, 3, 5, 8 and 9 and new first size steamers and tractors for E 7 and 10, and a new Truck 3 aerial and tractor. Also several hose wagons (2, 3, 8, 9, 10) were to be upgraded to electric propulsion. A charging apparatus also needed for each firehouse.

August 5 Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison

August 5, 1916: Paterson News report on motorization

Courtesy Dennis Morrison

September 16, 1916: Issues with newly appointed firefighters

October 21, 1916: Issues with the new two platoon system during exrta alarm fires

Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison

November 9, 1916: Commissioners consider the purchase of a "Lungmotor" to aid smoke exposed firemen

November 9, 1916: Commissioners consider the purchase of a "Lungmotor" to aid smoke exposed firemen

a 1916 Advertisement

December 2, 1916: Citizens have issues with quality of Engine 7 (Gould Avenue) apparatus

December 2, 1916 Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison

March 10, 1917: Death and Obituary of Assistant Chief James Mills. A member of the Volunteer Department as well as a Civil War Veteran who fought at Gettysburg and Richmond. He was also the first arriving Chief Officer at Paterson's great 1902 Conflagration

Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

Paterson Evening News

Courtesy Dennis Morrison

March 16, 1917: Ladder and hose drills at Headquarters - off duty FF at Engines 2, 3 and 10 report to central headquarters to learn about extension ladders. Then same was done for Engines 6, 7 and 9.

April 16, 1917: Chief Coyle prepares PFD for war

Press Guardian - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

Lieutenant John Breen - Engine 6

June 30, 1917 and August 23, 1917: Testing of new electric apparatus

June 30, 1917 Paterson News

August 23, 1917 - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

1917: Two new Metropolitan Steam Fire Engines with Electric Tractors (battery powered) are assigned to Engines 7 and 10. The latter (Engine 10) seen below ultimately becomes the last steamer in the PFD to see action. It retires on July 16, 1931.

1917 - 1920: Electric (battery powered) Tractors are put on all Hose Wagons and Steamers (except Engine Company 8) and Trucks (except Truck 3).

Engine 1 at 115 Van Houten Street quarters

Engine 10 at 198 17th Ave quarters

Engine 10 Steamer

1917 Uniform of the day

Joseph Mariani, of Engine Company 10

August 22, 1917: Chief Coyle opposes apparatus bells

Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

October 31, 1917: Issue with FF Horace Warr makes the papers

Press Guardian - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

November 5, 1917: The Salvation Army Rescue Mission Fire on Mill Street fatally injures 19 people. It was a three story lodging house. 30 men were trapped, 11 injured and 19 died.

February 22, 1918: Newly appointed firemen - one resigns and the others after being assigned to Engine 5 (Charles Willard) and Truck 1 (John Millington) head off to Camp Dix for military duty - tragically John Millington afterwards lost his life in defense of his country