Evolution of the Paid Department
Major Events from 1911 - 1919
March 18, 1911: A Buick Touring Car, Model 26 automobile was purchased for Chief Engineer Stagg
Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
June 18, 1911: Chronicle runs a series on the changing PFD
Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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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.
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
March 10, 1912: Changes and transfers as two new firehouses open
Chronicle - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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Chronicle - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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March 18, 1912: Engine Company 11 moves into a new Firehouse at 97 Grand Street.
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
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Courtesy Jim Eifler
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Courtesy Jim Eifler
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March 28, 1912: New Fire Headquarters is opened for public inspection
Courtesy Dennis Morrison
Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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April 10, 1912: Morning Call
Courtesy Dennis Morrison
Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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Courtesy Dennis Morrison
June 8, 1912: Paterson Guardian discusses new chief officers
Courtesy Jim Eifler
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.
November 12, 1913; Annual Report of Mayor Andrew McBride (courtesy Dennis Morrison)
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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
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December 22, 1912: Civil Service Law becomes operative
January 10, 1913: Engine Company 12 moves into the new firehouse at 36 Circle Avenue with a new Robinson Motor combination apparatus.
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
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Truck Company 1 - Jackson Street
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Engine 8 with Christie Front Drive Tractor attached to Nott Steamer shown below.
Outside quarters at 71 Wayne Avenue
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 19, 1913: Reverend Edward F. Hillock assistant pastor of St. John's R.C. church appointed as the first chaplain of the department.
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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 |
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June 26, 1914: Reverend John C. Bolton of M.P. Church appointed chaplain.
April 7, 1915: Fire and police Commission present gold badges to chaplains
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.
July 3, 1915: Captain John Specht, who was appointed as a firefighter on March 20, 1890 becomes the 3rd Battalion Chief in PFD history. He had previously served with the volunteer department
Paterson Evening News - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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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
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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.
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
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Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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Paterson Evening News
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
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Engine 10 at 198 17th Ave quarters
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Engine 10 Steamer
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1917 Uniform of the day Joseph Mariani, of Engine Company 10 |
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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.
November 29, 1918 PFD Payroll
November 29, 1918 PFD Payroll
Dayspring Collection
January 19, 1919: The rank of Lieutenant is eliminated form the department.
September 16, 1919: The rank of Chiefs Aide is established.