THE SWEENEYS

The Sweeney's

The first and third deputy chiefs of the PFD were a father and son. The second was Ernest Fields. Tragically James, along with the Captain and 3 firefighters of Engine Company 5, made the Supreme Sacrifice at the Quackenbush Warehouse fire in March of 1938.

May 4 and May 5, 1869: Patrick Sweeney election to Chief Engineer of Volunteer Department

May 4 Guardian

May 5 Guardian

May 6, 1869: Patrick Sweeney formally announced as Chief Engineer of Volunteer Department

May 8 Guardian

Patrick Sweeney was appointed as a paid driver of Engine 4 on August 3, 1885 (The second paid firefighter in PFD History). Named as a Captain on March 20, 1890 of Engine 4. Appointed as Paterson's first Deputy Chief April 4, 1908 - He retired June 30, 1912 and died on March 16, 1920.

Patrick Sweeney - Captain Engine Co 4

Engine 4 at Slater Street Firehouse

February 5, 1886: Driver Patrick Sweeny comes close to a fatal injury when the Steamer he was driving overturns a Main and Slater Street.

January 1890 - Selection of original captains - Patrick Sweeney assigned to Engine 4 as Captain in the reorganization of PFD into a paid department

November 15, 1895: PFD becomes fully paid - Patrick Sweeney remains Captain of Engine 4. He is assigned badge #40

September 27, 1897: Sweeney has close call in a collision between E4 hose wagon and Engine 8. Sweeney knocked from wagon and trampled by horses

Moring Call

March 3, 1905: Newspaper tribute to Captain Sweeney

Paterson Daily Press

April 4, 1908 - Sweeney promoted to Deputy Chief

April 7, 1908: DC Sweeney's gig to be driven by his son FF James Sweeney

Paterson Press

April 7, 1908 - Deputy Chief Sweeney's first fire

Paterson Press

April 16, 1910: Six Paterson FF (Captain Nolan, Lieutenants Coyle and Specht, FF James Sweeney, Frank Boyle and Stephen Walls) go to NYC to study modern firefighting

F/F James Sweeney is third from left

July 7, 1910: Sweeney's to vacation in their cabin at Singac.

Paterson Press

1912 - Retirement of Patrick Sweeney

July 1, 1912 News clip - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

Courtesy Dennis Morrison

Deputy Chief Patrick Sweeney

Courtesy Dennis Morrison

Courtesy Jim Eifler

June 17, 1912: Upon retirement DC Sweeney wants to purchase his long time horse

March 16, 1920: Death of Deputy Chief Patrick Sweeney

March 17 Guardian - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

March 22 Morning Call - courtesy Jim Eifler

James P. Sweeney

James "Big Jim" P. Sweeney was appointed on July 1, 1905. Served as gig driver and at Engine 4. Promoted to Captain on January 1, 1912 at Engine 5. became a Battalion Chief on January 2, 1923 and a Deputy Chief August 11, 1927. Made the Supreme Sacrifice along with 4 other firefighters at the Quackenbush warehouse fire on March 12, 1938.

James Sweeney

1907 Photo Of Engine 4 on Slater Street - Hoseman James Sweeny in center

1913 - Engine 5 at Headquarters - Captain James Sweeney

Captain James Sweeney and crew of Engine 5 at Van Houten Street Headquarters in 1913

1935 10th Annual Ball Firemen's Booster -- Dayspring Collection

Engine Co 4 circa 1910-12: John Heinzelman, Corneilus "Neil" Kennedy, John Eagan and Bill Smith

September 1, 1915 - Sweeney marraige

Courtesy Dennis Morrison

Paterson Press - Courtesy Jim Eifler

September 2 News Clip - Courtesy Don Giaquinto

December 22, 1922: James Sweeney promoted to Battalion Chief, Peter Rege as a Captain and Matthew O'Neill as a FF. Of historical interest is the fact that Sweeney's and O'Neill's fathers were Paterson firemen and sadly both J Sweeney & M. O'Neill made the Supreme Sacrifice in 1938.