Hello from the members of the Moonchie Fire Department. This page will tell you about MFD from the start till present. Please feel free to comment also send any pictures you may have so we can add them.The First 50 Years
The year, 1911, the place, a small farm area in southern Bergen County known as the Borough of Moonachie. In the winter months of January and February, two meetings held by some of the local resident will mark the birth of the Moonachie Fire Department. These two meeting will serve as the "birthplace" of the two present day fire companies which make up the Fire Department, today.
Friendship Engine and Hose Co. No. 1
On January 31st, 21 local residents, mostly farmers, held the first meeting to start what is known today as the Friendship Engine and Hose Co. No. 1. Shortly after the organization of the fire company was complete, one of the members donated land on Redneck Ave to construct the first firehouse.
The first fire apparatus Hose Co. 1 utilized in its infant years, was a hose-drawn hose cart. And sometime afterward, a horse-drawn steamer-pumper was acquired. Some of the "old-timers" use to tell stories of when the fire gong rang, the farmers' horses, used to pull the wagons, would charge down the road to the firehouse, some times with the plows still bouncing behind.
The mid-1920's brought the first motor driven fire apparatus to Hose Co. 1, and this piece of equipment served the company until the early 1930's, when a 1916 model pumper was acquired.
In 1946, the members of Hose Co. 1 found themselves in need of a replacement pumper to serve the community. Until this time, the firemen provided all equipment and furnishings themselves, and the residents of the Borough. It.was during this time that Borough started contributing financial support to the Fire Company. But, this was still not enough to buy the needed apparatus. The members loaned the money to the Company to purchase a 1916 model Ahrens-Fox pumper, formerly owned by the township of Bryn Mawr, PA.
This grand piece of equipment was well known for its ability to out perform many of the other fire pumpers in the area at that time. It was a real prize to the Fire Department, and always appeared in the annual firemen's parades in the area. A real "eye-catcher" because of its unusual color. At the time of its purchase it was green and the funds were insufficient to paint it red, until 1948.
1953 marked the beginning of modernization for that time period. The purchase of a brand new G.M.C. - Ahrens-Fox pumper, by the Borough, with the help of matching funds from the Civil Defense, gave the Fire Company the latest in fire-fighting technology. Although the needs of modern times were here, a sense of sadness was felt in the Fire Company and the Borough, as the said farewell to the 1917 "work-horse" pumper.
Around 1954, Hose Co. 1 found themselves on the verge of being homeless, as their firehouse on Redneck Ave eventually fell to the mercy of the Port Authority's expansion. So, they took up residence in the rear of the present Borough Hall, and operated out of that location, until 1969.
Washington Park Hose Co. No. 2
On February 10,1911, the second eventful meeting was held in the cellar of the home of Richard Oilman on Joseph St. This meeting would result in the formation of the second present day fire company, by a group of 15 residents operating as Washington Park Hose Co. 2.
Hose Co. 2 purchased its first piece of fire equipment, a two-wheel hose cart in 1912 for a price of $45.00. This hose cart was pulled by hand whenever the alarm sounded.
The first firehouse consisted of a barn on the Oilman property where the hose cart was stored, and was used until 1913 when the first real firehouse for the company was constructed. The new firehouse was a sheetmetal building built on the Stanley Kucera property, on the corner of Moonachie Road and Joseph Street This was later known as the Kerwick property, where that family operated a luncheonette/soda-shop and post office. Today, it's the location of Bazzarelli's Restaurant
Hose Co. 2 operated from 1911 until April 1919 as an independent, unrecognized fire company to the Borough. At that time, they were recognized as a regular part of the Moonachie Fire Department, but still retained their independent identity as a Hose Co.The 1920's brought quite a bit of activity for Hose Co. 2, starting with the construction of the second permanent firehouse at the same location where the present one stands today. Ernest Bruno, a local builder, donated a lot for the firehouse, and the members bought a second one for $100. That building's dimensions were 16 by 20.
In 1923, the Ridgefield Fire Department donated a hand-drawn four-wheeled hose cart to Washington Park Hose 2. The hose cart would serve the company until their first motor-driven apparatus was purchased. Finally, no more "running in front" of the fire apparatus.
Through the help of monies raised by donation, the Fire Company bought a new 1926 Model-T truck to better serve the community. The new acquisition would aid Hose Co. 2 and serve the Borough for more than a decade.
The main building of the present day firehouse was constructed in 1930, measuring 40 x 90, built with funds raised mostly through donations.
In an effort to raise additional funds, the Ladies Auxiliary traveled to New York City in 1939, to see then Mayor James Walker for help. With the financial support from this appeal, as well as other fund raising activities, the Fire Company purchased a Reo model hose truck from the River-Edge fire Department. Continuing their efforts to provide modern fire service protection, Hose Co No. 2 bought the White 1946 Seagraves pumper from the City of Belleville, that some of the long time residents may remember from years back.
1955 would bring about the fire company's biggest challenge yet. For over a year they ran dances and fund raising activities to buy a new Oren pumper, which was donated to Nameless Tennessee in 1990. The members of the Fire Company ran Bingo every week for three years to pay off the new piece of fire equipment.
Moonachie hose Co. No. 3
Except for some of the long-time residents, not too many people are aware of the fact that a third fire company once operated in the Moonachie Fire Department.
Organized November 14, 1914, Moonachie Hose Co. No. 3 joined the other two fire companies in providing fire protection to the Borough. A group of 12 residents from the west end of town, started the Fire Company, and operated from one of the member's barns. The area they protected focused on the residential section, which borders Wood-Ridge, as well as the homes and property in the section, which is now occupied by part of Teterboro Airport.Not too much information is available as to the events that took place during Hose Co. 3's early years. However, their firehouse was always located on that end of town, with its final location being on a section of the old Concord Street, on the airport side.
Around 1949-50, the Fire Company acquired a 1946 Dodge pumper from the U.S. Air Force. The truck served as an airport crash truck until it was sold to the Borough as surplus equipment.
In 1954, the Port Authority's mass expansion effort was underway, and caught up in it was the firehouse of Hose Co. No. 3. Without a home, the members decided to disband the Company in April 1954, with many of its members joining one of the two remaining companies.
The Borough, seeking a place to house the fire pumper used by Hose Co. 3, approached Hose Co. 2 and asked to keep Engine 3 in the present firehouse. This pumper, affectionately known during the 50 's and 60 's to the men as "The Dodge", served the community until its retirement to the D.P.W. in 1970.
"Sound the Alarm!"
During the early years, the fire alarm system consisted of a large steel ring, comprised of an old locomotive wheel mounted on a wooden arch. At each alarm station was a steel hammer used to strike the ring. Attached to each arch was a code sign indicating the number of times to strike the ring, depending on the location of the fire.
The steel ring alarms were used until 1949, when an automatic siren system was installed throughout the Borough. The sirens continued to serve the needs of the Fire Department, until the mid-1980's, when more modern communications technology was employed.
30 More and Still Counting
The next 30 years saw many changes and advancements. The 1960's brought more industry and growth to the Borough, putting a greater demand on the members of the Fire Department to keep abreast of the changes that were taking place.
For most of the 60's the firefighting fleet consisted of the 1953 G.M.C. Ahrens-Fox, the 1955 Oren, and the old "Dodge".
In 1964, the Fire Officers took a major step toward modernization. A new radio communications system was purchased and put into service, placing a radio receiver ( plectron ) in every fireman's home. These plectrons were sup-
plemental to the siren system that remained in service during this time period.
Around 1965-66, members of Hose Co. 2 started a remodeling program for the firehouse. Work was begun on giving a "face-lift" to the front of the building. New brickwork and one large bay door instead of the old two-door front. However, the work effort did not stop there. The members started renovating the inside of the building, doing most of the work themselves, and all of the materials were acquired through funds raised by the Fire Company.
For the first time in the history of the Department, a fire chief's car was given to the Chief in 1966. The car was a 1965 Chevy, once used by the Police Department, now painted red.
Hose Co. 1 purchase a used step van in 1967, through monies they raised, and turned it over to the Department as an equipment truck. For years this piece of equipment would serve the Fire Department, both as an added asset to the fire service, but also as a shuttle for the members and the Ladies Auxiliary to parades and other activities.
Progress and expansion were happening everywhere. More and more industry was building up in town. A new two family housing development was underway on East Joseph Street. The town was constantly on the move. As a result, a need to expand the Borough Hall and Police Headquarters became a must. Because of the building expansion, Hose Co. 1 found themselves again without a home. So, in October of 1969, Friendship Engine and Hose Co. 1 moved into the present firehouse, along with their brother firemen from Washington Park Hose co. 2. There, the two fire companies have been housed up to present day, operating as one Department.
These changing times meant a need for additional resources for the Fire Department. It was necessary for the Department to be prepared for all this growth. In 1970 the Borough added a new Great Eastern 1000 GPM pumper to the Department's fleet. The new engine contained all of the latest features in firefighting equipment. This piece of apparatus became the "Front-line" unit throughout the 70's, and has been the major "work-horse" for Department. It was at this time, the old Engine 3 - "The Dodge" was retired from the fire service and handed over to the D.P.W.
In 1971, another Chief's car was acquired. This was a 1969 police car handed over to the Department to replace the aging one in use at the time. As the 70's moved on, the Borough again saw fit to provide the Department with some added equipment. In 1975, the Fire Department added to its fleet, an 85ft. Pirsch aerial ladder. A welcome piece of equipment, and the first "new" Chief's car, a Plymouth wagon was put into service
Just prior to taking delivery of the new aerial truck, the town financed the addition to the firehouse to house the new piece of fire apparatus.
As the 1970's rolled to an end, the never ending pace of progress, changing times, and fire service technology kept beating on the firehouse door. The need was there to add to the horsepower of the Fire Department. Buildings were getting larger, chemicals were part of everyday life, and the concept of fighting fires was becoming a science.
With all this to consider, the Fire Officers approached the Borough in 1980, and requested
the purchase of a new 1500 GPM Sanford pumper. This newest addition was truly state-of-the-art. Because of the new challenges of fighting fires, the concern of large volumes of water had to be addressed. With the arrival of this new pumper, came a whole new concept in firefighting. The new concept introduced the use of large diameter hose. The new engine and the old Engine 3 were equipped with 5-inch hose to gain maximum water. Some people refer to it as "bring the hydrant to the fire". This is a major issue with some of today's industrial fires. Moonachie was the first town in the entire South Bergen region to take this big step in modernization. Today, it has become a common sight at a fire scene.
In 1983, another police car, a 1978 LTD, was handed over to the Department to serve the needs of the Chief.
As the 1980's pushed on, the face of firefighting was in a constant state of change. Women were now joining the ranks, changing the designation nationally to Firefighter, rather than Firemen. Sons of firefighters were now grown and working alongside their fathers. The shortage of manpower, created greater ties between the surrounding towns.
Moonachie's Fire Department entered the computer age in 1984. Purchasing what would be the first of several computers in the years to come, more information could now be made available. Paperwork was now easier, chemical and inspection data more organized. Information on the residency occupants, bedroom locations, special needs patients in the home could now be readily accessible in the event of a fire.
1984 saw the latest evolution in communications. In addition to the plec-trons serving the department for nearly 20 years, pocket pagers became commonplace, and provided greater "reach" getting the alarm out to the members, regardless of their location.
At the close of the 1980's the Fire Department found themselves again in the planning stages to upgrade their aging fleet. In 1990, the Department tookMyspace Backgrounds
