EVENTS 1940-1959

Evolution of the Paid Department

Chronologial List of Important Events

1940 - 1959

1940: Golden Jubilee of the Paterson Evening News Souvenir Edition: The FMBA local 2 runs a full page ad with photo of Chief Coyle and roster of all the companies.

Dayspring Collection

March 12, 1941: Unveiling and Dedication of the Memorial Monument at Federal Plaza across from the main Post Office to Paterson Firemen who have made the Supreme Sacrifice

December 1941: Screening for tuberculosis via chest X-ray was mandatory for new police and firemen

Dayspring Collection

January 1942: The Paterson Auxiliary Fire Department was established. It consisted of men volunteering for emergency duty to replace firemen serving in World War II.

Auxiliary Firemen drilling with Capt B Daniels of Engine 5 with 1931 Ahrens Fox N-T-4 pumper

Drill with Truck Company 2
Ahrens Fox aerial

June 13, 1942: The City of Paterson celebrates its 150th Anniversary. Together the Patrolman and Fireman's Benevolent Associations take out a full page add in the Paterson Morning Call describing the Auxiliary forces. To more easily read each quadrant click here an scroll down

Dayspring Collection

1942: Status of department

Dayspring Collection

1944: Letter to Mayor Furrey State of the Department

Dayspring Collection

July 12,1946: Fire and Police Commissioner announces retirement of Chief Thomas Coyle due to reaching the age of 65

Dayspring Collection

September 24, 1948: NJ State Exempt Fireman's Association 62nd Convention and Parade held in Paterson.

Dayspring Collection

October 4, 1948: New Mack Model 95 Triple Combination 1000 GPM pumpers arrive in Paterson - placed in service at Engine Companies 5 and 12 on October 14, 948.

Paterson Evening News - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

Two new fire engines of the most modern design are inspected after delivery at headquarters of the city fire department on Van Houten Street. Standing before the apparatus are Chief James Troy, Commissioner John Kent of the Fire and Police Commission. Deputy Chief Hobart Strathearn and Assistant Master Mechanic John J. Carroll. The drivers on the vehicles are fireman George Findlow and William Comer.

Paterson Evening News - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

Engine Company 5 is in background and grill of Engine Company 12 is at right. L-R are Meyer Jaffe (clerk Board Police & Fire Commissioners), Harry B Haines (publisher Paterson Evening News), Jack Stern (Fire Commissioner), Mayor Michael Devita, ?, Chief James Troy and ? The drive in E5 is William Comer (a future Chief)

April 6, 1949: Chief James Troy describing equipment needs

Dayspring Collection

September 14, 1949: Ordinance signed by Mayor DeVita which defines the personnel of the Department

Dayspring Collection

October 18, 1949: Letter from Fire/Police Commissioner Albert Neubauer (to Mayor? - note addressee is removed) regarding rather horrendous status of department firehouses and apparatus

Dayspring Collection

November 1949: A used 1929 Ahrens Fox aerial, which had a straight windshield, was acquired from Hasting's on Hudson, NY for $600. Originally the plan was to use it for parts but upon arrival it was in better shape than believed and it was put into service at Truck 1 on Jackson Street.

February 20, 1950: Chief's Aide Walter Pitkethy, a 27 year veteran of the PFD, who was chauffeuring BC Walter Titus (2nd Battalion) collapsed and died at a 1 alarm kitchen fire. Name was later (~1990) added to the Supreme Sacrifice Monument

1950: Meal hours restored for PFD members during the 24 hour shift

January 10, 1951: Chief James Troy passes away. See 11:45 PM announcement in Journal of Engine 1 (115 Van Houten Street)

February 16, 1951: Chief James Kennedy appointed Acting Chief of Department after the death of Chieh James Troy

Dayspring Collection

May 16, 1951: Low water pressure situation in Temple Hill, including need to use a Haledon Fire Hydrant at recent 4 alarm fire on North 10th Street

Dayspring Collection

July 26, 1951: Chief's Aide Joseph Dow made the Supreme Sacrifice when he was fatally injured in a collision at Broadway and Madison Avenue while driving Acting Chief Kennedy to a fire.

January 1952: A new 6 cylinder FWD 1000 GPM pumper ordered in October 1950 went into service at Engine Company 12. A powerful motor was selected to ensure the apparatus could climb all of the steep hills in the Northside.

Dayspring Collection

1952: Truck Company 1 relocates from the Jackson Street Firehouse to the 37 23rd Avenue two bay firehouse where Engine Company 13 was already located.

February 1, 1952: Hobart A. Strathern appointed Chief Engineer.

1952: Engine houses (2, 3, 4, 8, 10 and Truck 3) modernized under Mayor Lester F. Titus

1953 Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

Engine 8 quarters Morning Call

Bedroom - note sliding pole surrounded by wood railing at tight

Wool Blanket - Dayspring Collection - at Boonton Home

March 1953: Six new Seagrave 750 GPM pumpers acquired and assigned to Engine Companies 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, and 10. Six Ahrens Fox pumpers which had served so well for so long became spare apparatus. They are shown below at Headquarters with Chief Strathearn and Mayor Titus. The driver of the apparatus on the left is Tommy Ottavino.

June 1953: A 1952 model 85' FWD hook and ladder truck (had both an FWD tractor and aerial) which had been ordered in 1950 was finally put in service as Truck 2 at Headquarters on Van Houten Street. It was soon transferred to Truck Company 1 at 23rd Avenue quarters

Truck 2 1952 FWD delivered in 1953

October 8, 1953: PFD inspected during National Fire Prevention Week

Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

Chief Strathearn at left and D/C Bray at right - Apparatus is Engine 1 1948 Mack in its bay at Fire Headquarters on Van HoutenStreet

November 27, 1953: Morning Call Series on PFD

Courtesy Dennis Morrison

Captain Bronie Daniels

Captain John Lawless

August Peters

James Sturrock

John Carroll

Captain Ferdinand Pelleschi

John Rankin

December 11, 1953: Morning Call Series on PFD - the Chief Engineers

Courtesy Dennis Morrison

December 18, 1953: Morning Call Series on PFD

Courtesy Dennis Morrison

1954: Two new FWD tractors entered service at Truck Companies 2 and 3. They were attached to older Ahrens Fox Aerials.

April 1954: Letter of appreciation to Chief Strathearn for the efforts of firemen.

Dayspring Collection

June 14, 1954: Engine Company 12 and Truck Company 2 were both damaged in a collision at Main Street and Broadway. Photo below shows the just after 1 AM accident (as they were returning to quarters from a car fire at Cross and Passaic Streets. Fireman William Gallagher was sent to St. Joseph's Hospital and Captain Joseph Nardella treated at scene.

December 1, 1954: A Rescue Truck (with a Reo Chassis) went into service at Headquarters (115 Van Houten Street) and was operated by the men of Engine Company 5. When Rescue Truck was used E5 went out of service.

1956: The longstanding regulation that Firemen were required to wear their dress uniform to and from work was abolished.

1957: Rank of Lieutenant is re-established.

December 1, 1957: The Department was expanded to three Battalions. The new Third Battalion Headquarters was at Engine Company 2 on Highland Street and encompassed companies 2, 3, 12 and Truck 3.

Hancock Collection

January 1958: Five new 1957 FWD Special 1000 GPM pumpers were purchased and assigned to Engine Companies 1, 3, 4, 5, and 6. The three remaining Ahrens Fox apparatus were removed from service. The pumpers and Chief Strathearn are seen below parked outside Fire Headquarters on Van Houten Street

June 22, 1958: Captain Nicholas Attema of Engine Company 12, appointed June 1, 1928 died while on duty in firehouse

Hancock Collection

December 17, 1958: Fire Alarm Headquarters moved from City Hall to Fire Headquarters on Van Houten Street.

April 21, 1959: Chief Hobart Strathearn dies suddenly (not fire department related).

​Evolution of the Paid Department

Chronologial List of Important Events

Evolution of the Paid Department