HISTORY PAGE E-mail message From: chiefhank@xtra.co.nz (chiefhank) Date: Sun, Mar 24, 2002, 8:47am (EST+17) To: tpmcg@webtv.net (McGovern, Tom), slapenta@optonline.net (LaPenta, Steve) Subject: NFD Rescue 1 Hi, guys, I haven't forgotten about you or Rescue 1!!! I was finally able to access the only NFD history file I have left and was able to come up with this historical stuff about Rescue 1. I hope it helps you in your project. If there's anything else I can help you with let me know. Stay safe, Bros, Hank NEWARK, N.J. RESCUE COMPANY 1 HISTORICAL INFO 1913, October 1 Searchlight 1 was placed in service at 77 Academy Street, near Plane Street, and was assigned a shop-built vehicle on a Thomas Motor Car chassis. In addition to lighting equipment, they carried various rescue tools and smoke helmets. 1917, April14 The "Two-Platoon System" was established and the Second Tour was put in effect. Chemical 1 and Searchlight 1 were disbanded and merged to organize Squad Co. 1, at 77 Academy Street near Plane Street (now University Avenue). 1918, Jan. 17 A South Bend 35-gallon chemical engine was assigned to Squad 1. 1922, Jan. 9 A White squad wagon, Model 20-45, was assigned to Squad 1. 1930, May 23 An American LaFrance squad car was assigned to Squad 1, costing $16,000. 1931, August 20 Due to the start of construction on the new subway system, the following apparatus moves were made; Water Tower 1 to Engine 2; Engine 24 to Engine 1; Squad 1 to Engine 20; Fuel & Supply Trucks to Engine 5. 1935, July 24 Squad 1 was disbanded, due to the formation of the Police Emergency Bureau. 1936 Squad 1 was placed back in service at New and Colden Streets with Engine 22, but their designation was Chemical 1. 1937, August 19 Chemical 1's designation was officially changed to Rescue Company 1, and they remained at their quarters at New and Colden Streets. 1941, December 10 A 1925 American LaFrance salvage wagon was purchased from the Salvage Corps. and assigned to Rescue 1. 1946, May 29 A 500 Series American LaFrance/Black rescue truck was assigned to Rescue 1, costing $8,950. 1953, July 25 Rescue 1 operated their resuscitator, non-stop, for a total of 12 hours and 10 minutes during a serious brain operation at Irvington General Hospital, in which the patient fell into respiratory arrest. 1959, June 16 A single-alarm fire heavily damaged the fourth floor of an occupied four-story brick apartment house at 233 Jelliff Avenue near Clinton Avenue. While operating at the fire with a filter mask, Firefighter Frank Fink, 30, of Engine 10, became overcome by smoke and fell into respiratory arrest. Fellow firefighters carried him to a fire escape and then down to the third floor, where Firefighter Fred Boehringer, 35, of Rescue 1 began to apply mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. After Fink was successfully revived, he was taken to Beth Israel Hospital, where he was listed in good condition. Since Newark firefighters had been instructed in the use of mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, this was the very first time in NFD history that it was used. 1959, December 10 A Ford C-800/Gerstenslager rescue truck was assigned to Rescue 1 costing $13,718.16. 1966, August 15 Rescue 1's 1959 Gerstenslager rescue body was removed from the wrecked Ford chassis, placed on a Diamond-T chassis and assigned to Rescue 1. 1975 - March 27 A Mack R/Providence rescue truck, with enclosed rescue body, was assigned to Rescue 1, costing $55,722. 1983, November 21 Engines 13, 14, 16, 21, Truck 9, and Rescue 1 were taken out of service due to budgetary constraints. 1983, November 24 Engines 13, 14, 16, 21, Truck 9, and Rescue 1 were placed back in service at 08:00 hours. 1983, December 23 Engines 13, 14, 16, 21, Truck 9, and Rescue 1 were taken out of service once again due to budgetary constraints. In addition, 78 firefighters were laid off. This was all done in an attempt by the city to squeeze money from the state budget. 1984, Jan. 5 Engines 13, 14, 16, 21, Truck 9, and Rescue 1 were placed back in service at 18:00 hours, and the 78 firefighters who were laid off were rehired. This was after the city administration was successful in squeezing money from the state budget. 1985, May 8 A Ford C8000/Emergency-One rescue truck, with enclosed rescue body, was assigned to Rescue 1, costing $90,000. 1987, September 20 Rescue 1 was relocated to Truck 1's quarters at 188 Mulberry Street at Lafayette Street. 1988, October 6 While en route to a Signal 11 fire on 9th Avenue, Rescue 1 collided with a step-van at Central Avenue and Washington Street. The rig jumped the sidewalk and rammed into a pizzeria, pinning the captain and driver in the cab. The van then overturned on top of a compact car, crushing it. Four firefighters and one civilian were injured in the wreck. Rescue 1's chassis was destroyed in the crash and the box was later removed and placed on a new chassis. 1994, December 16 The department's new Emergency-One rescue truck was delivered to the Absolute Fire Protection Co. in South Plainfield to be outfitted. The rig was white over lime-yellow with a large blue reflective stripe around the body. It had a six-man cab with a walk-through body and was nearly 40 feet in length.

E-mail message From: chiefhank@xtra.co.nz (chiefhank) Date: Sun, Mar 24, 2002, 9:02am (EST+17) To: FireServiceHistory@yahoogroups.com (FireHistory) Subject: Newark NJ FD History - March 23 NFD HISTORY FOR MARCH 23 1978 - At 17:16 hours, a two-alarm fire gutted a row of attached four-story brick tenements at 3-5 16th Avenue at Springfield and Morris Avenues. A vagrant was killed in the fire (Box 4218 - Tour 1). 1985 - While en route to a Signal 11 fire on South 18th Street, Engine 6 collided with a van at Springfield Avenue and South 12th Street. The civilians in the van had to be extricated and the entire crew of Engine 6 suffered various injuries.

E-mail message From: chiefhank@xtra.co.nz (chiefhank) Date: Sun, Mar 24, 2002, 8:53am (EST+17) To: FireServiceHistory@yahoogroups.com (FireHistory) Subject: NFD History - March 22nd NFD HISTORY FOR MARCH 22 1896 - A general-alarm fire destroyed a box factory and seven houses at 16th Avenue and South 8th Street (Box 641). 1932 - Engine 6 relocated to quarters at 503 18th Avenue with Engine 18. 1959 - At 00:12 hours, a four-alarm fire destroyed a row of frame tenements at 747 Hunterdon Street near West Runyon Street (Box 4261 - Tour 4).

E-mail message From: chiefhank@xtra.co.nz (chiefhank) Date: Mon, Mar 25, 2002, 7:21pm (EST+17) To: FireServiceHistory@yahoogroups.com (FireHistory) Subject: Newark NJ FD History - March 24 NFD HISTORY - MARCH 24 1906 - At 22:47 hours, a three-alarm fire heavily damaged Scheurer's Warehouse at Mulberry and River Streets (Box 42). 1959 - At 19:06 hours, the Kingsland Barrel & Drum Co., at Avenue C and Miller Street, was destroyed in a four-alarm fire. This was the second four-alarm fire in three days (Box 5522 - Tour 2). 1960 - Two 500-GPM, 300-gallon International/Bean hose wagons were assigned to Wagons 9 and 20, costing $22,000 each. They were equipped with Chiksan hydraulic deck guns. 1971 - At 03:15 hours, a two-alarm fire damaged a building at 285 Orange Street near Clifton Avenue (Box 1238 - Tour 1). At 14:06 hours, another two-alarm fire damaged two frame tenements at 491-493 South 11th Street near 16th Avenue. These were the same buildings involved in a fatal three-alarm fire four days earlier (Box 4454 - Tour 3). 1972 - At 04:20 hours, a three-alarm fire heavily damaged three frame dwellings at 237-239-241 South 10th Street near 13th Avenue (Box 1469 - Tour 4).

E-mail message From: chiefhank@xtra.co.nz (chiefhank) Date: Tue, Mar 26, 2002, 12:09pm (EST+17) To: FireServiceHistory@yahoogroups.com (FireHistory) Subject: Newark, NJ FD History - March 25 1890 - A contract was awarded to the Newark-based Kelly Co. for a hose wagon for Wagon 2, costing $450. NFD HISTORY - MARCH 25 1916 - At 20:46 hours, a four-alarm fire destroyed the Lister Agricultural Chemical Co. at Lister Avenue and Chapel Street. This had been the site of many multiple alarm fires in prior years (Box 531). 1948 - A 700 Series, 1000-GPM American LaFrance pumper was assigned to Engine 4, costing $13,600. 1953 - At 05:30 hours, a fire broke out in a factory at 309-27 Avenue P near Foundry Street. At 05:44 hours, a second alarm was called for via radio, making this the very first time in the department's history that a multiple-alarm was struck by radio (Box 5341). 1954 - At 02:57 hours, a three-alarm fire heavily damaged four tenements at 201-203-25 Court Street and 88 Broome Street (Box 4122). 1971 - At 11:07 hours, a three-alarm fire heavily damaged a record factory at 111 New Jersey Railroad Avenue near Lafayette Street (Box 5249 - Tour 3). At 22:23 hours, a two-alarm fire heavily damaged a warehouse on Chestnut Street near Malvern Street. This was the fourth multi-alarm fire in two days (Box 5425 - Tour 2). 1972 - A 100-foot Seagrave aerial was assigned to Truck 7, costing $63,667.

E-mail message From: chiefhank@xtra.co.nz (chiefhank) Date: Wed, Mar 27, 2002, 9:08am (EST+17) To: FireServiceHistory@yahoogroups.com (FireHistory) Subject: Newark NJ FD History - March 26 NFD HISTORY - MARCH 26 1888 - While responding to an explosion in the Treftz Brewery on Rankin Street, the driver of Chemical 1 was seriously injured. 1921 - Engine 10 became motorized with a 750-GPM Ahrens-Fox I-K-3 pumper, costing $12,987. 1973 - A 100-foot Seagrave aerial was assigned to Truck 2. 1988 - At 01:16 hours, a two-alarm fire killed six people at 300 South Orange Avenue near South 7th Street (Box 1347 - Tour 3).

E-mail message From: chiefhank@xtra.co.nz (chiefhank) Date: Sat, Aug 31, 2002, 8:08pm (EDT+16) To: FireServiceHistory@yahoogroups.com (FireHistory) Subject: Newark NJ FD History - Sep. 1-2-3 NEWARK, NJ FD HISTORY SEPTEMBER 1 1894 - Steamer Co. 12 was placed in service at 215 Belmont Avenue, at Waverly Avenue and they were assigned a new 3rd-class, double LaFrance piston steamer costing $3,320.83. They were the first company to be placed in service in the fully paid department. A hose wagon was assigned to Wagon 8 costing $535. 1922 - At 02:04 hours, Newark's Bravest fought a two-alarm fire, which damaged the Verona Chemical Co. at Washington (now Broadway) and Verona Avenues. (Box 437) At 04:44 hours, they were at it again with a two-alarm fire in a structure at N.J.R.R. Avenue and Elm Street. (Box 35) 1924 - Searchlight 1 was reactivated at 33 Astor Street at Sherman Avenue 1953 - A code of dispatching radio signals was placed into effect. 1985 - At 07:58 hours, a single-alarm fire claimed the life of one person on Hawthorne Avenue near Osborne Terrace. (Tours 2/4) SEPTEMBER 2 1914 - At 07:54 hours, firefighters battled a three-alarm fire that heavily damaged the Lister Chemical Co. on Lister Avenue (Box 531). Less than 5 hours later, they fought a two-alarm fire that heavily damaged 2 buildings on Delavan Avenue near Elwood Avenue (Box 413). 1953 - An 85' Pirsch aerial was assigned to Truck 3 costing $34,683. 1963 - At 23:46 hours, a two-alarm fire killed one person and damaged two frame tenements on Hunterdon Street near South Orange Avenue (Box 1216 -Tour 1). 1974 - The previous day, a civil disturbance occurred in Branch Brook Park when police clashed with members of Newark's Hispanic community. The disturbance boiled into the next day, when the fire setting began. At 19:06 hours, a two-alarm fire destroyed a vacant supermarket at Summer and 7th Aves, (Box 3125 - Tour 2) and three minutes later, another two-alarm fire damaged an apartment house on Lock Street near Sussex Avenue. (Box 1147 - Tour 2) At 22:01 hours, a third two-alarm fire heavily damaged a meat supermarket at Springfield Avenue and South 18th Street. (Box 4462 - Tour 2) SEPTEMBER 3 1965 - Wagon 1's Mack L high pressure deluge wagon was converted back to a tractor and attached to the 1938 American LaFrance 100-foot steel aerial. This rig was assigned to Truck 6. 1978 - At 17:28 hours, a spectacular three-alarm fire destroyed three, attached, one-story brick factories on Adams Street near South Street (Box 5426 - Tours 3/1). 1978 - While responding to, what proved to be a false alarm, Engine 7 was broadsided by a bus at Sussex Avenue and Hudson Street. The Mack R pumper then jumped the sidewalk and ran into the foundation of a building. The driver of the engine was injured as well as two men who were thrown from the back step. The bus driver and eight passengers were also injured in the wreck. 1981 - A 1250 GPM International/Continental Compac pumper was assigned to Engine 11, costing $90,000.

Newark Fire Oral History

E-mail message From: chiefhank@xtra.co.nz (chiefhank) Date: Thu, Mar 28, 2002, 12:34pm (EST+17) To: FireServiceHistory@yahoogroups.com (FireHistory) Subject: Newark NJ FD History - March 27 NEWARK FD HISTORY - MARCH 27 1913 - Contracts were awarded to American LaFrance for a pumper, for $8,500, and a 75-foot aerial, for $11,500; to Webb for a pumper, for $8,000, and a 75-foot aerial, for $10,500; and to White for a combination chassis, for $5,700. 1964 - At 03:31 hours, a three-alarm fire heavily damaged four frame tenements at 36-38-40 Hunterdon Street and 89 12th Avenue (Box 1227 - Tour 4). 1975 - A Mack R/Providence rescue truck, with enclosed rescue body, was assigned to Rescue 1, costing $55,722

E-mail message From: chiefhank@xtra.co.nz (chiefhank) Date: Thu, Mar 28, 2002, 7:34pm (EST+17) To: FIRE-L@topica.com (FIRE-L) Subject: Newark NJ FD History - March 28 NFD HISTORY - MARCH 28 1908 - A single-alarm midnight fire heavily damaged the Salvage Corps quarters and four other buildings on Washington Street near Campbell Street. The fire, of unknown origin, appeared to have started in the Salvage Corps. stables, killing five horses there. 1927 - At 15:56 hours, a three-alarm fire heavily damaged the Banister Shoe Co. at Plane Street (now University Avenue) and Hackett Street (Box 14). 1945 - At 17:11 hours, the Goldhill Co., at 23 New York Avenue near McWhorter Street, was heavily damaged in a four-alarm fire (Box 5218). Two hours later, firefighters found themselves battling a two-alarm fire aboard a ship at Pier #8, at South Dock and Terminal Streets in Port Newark (Box 5531). 1984 - At 18:46 hours, a two-alarm fire damaged three houses and claimed the life of one person at 821-823-825 Parker Street near Ballantine Parkway (Box 3326 - Tour 2).

E-mail message From: chiefhank@xtra.co.nz (chiefhank) Date: Sat, Mar 30, 2002, 2:43pm (EST+17) To: FireServiceHistory@yahoogroups.com (FireHistory) Subject: Newark NJ FD History - March 29 NFD HISTORY - MARCH 29 1972 - At 09:17 hours, a two-alarm fire damaged a vacant four-story brick furniture warehouse at 20-30 Broome Street at Springfield Avenue (Box 4164 - Tour 4). At 13:40 hours, another two-alarm fire damaged the Hotel Essex House at 1050 Broad Street at Camp Street (Box 2792 - Tour 4). 1986 - At 07:52 hours, a minor fire on South 17th Street near 14th Avenue took the life of one person (Tour 3/1)

E-mail message From: chiefhank@xtra.co.nz (chiefhank) Date: Sat, Aug 17, 2002, 2:17pm (EDT+16) To: FireServiceHistory@yahoogroups.com (FireHistory) Subject: Newark, NJ FD History - Aug. 12-13-14-15-16-17 NEWARK FD HISTORY AUGUST 12 1913 - The first four-digit box, Box 2124, was placed in service at Dayton and Foster Streets. Due to the rapid growth of the city, they were running out of three-digit numbers, and since four rounds went to the firehouses, the high number boxes were taking too long to count. 1928 - At 17:19 hours, A three-alarm fire heavily damaged the Essex Sash & Blind Co. on High Street (now King Boulevard) 1950 - At 20:58 hours, a building on Livingston Street near 18th Avenue was heavily damaged in a three-alarm fire. 1967 - Newark firefighters battled a two-alarm fire that damaged two frame tenements on South 6th Street near 15th Avenue, and then another two-alarm fire, that damaged three frame tenements on Prince Street near Montgomery Street. These were the third and fourth multi-alarm fires fought in three days. 1978 - At 05:20 hours, the city was struck with a severe thunderstorm containing dangerous lightning and torrential downpours. A lightning strike ignited the attic of a 2-1/2-story frame dwelling on Finlay Place near Vail Street, but most of the apparatus couldn't respond due to the severe flooding of city streets. A second alarm was struck just to start additional apparatus rolling to the scene. 1984 - While operating on the seventh floor at a three-alarm fire in a high-rise office building on Academy Street, Firefighter James M. Murray, of Truck 10, died of smoke inhalation after becoming disoriented in the heavy smoke and getting separated from his company. AUGUST 13 1925 - A 75-foot Ahrens-Fox aerial was assigned to Truck 6, costing $16,650. 1957 - At 02:39 hours, a three-alarm fire heavily damaged a large three-story frame tenement at Ferry and Waydell Streets 1971 - At 03:59 hours, a two-alarm fire damaged two frame tenements on Bergen Street near 18th Avenue. At 22:44 hours, another two-alarm fire damaged two frame dwellings on Crane Street near Wood Street 1974 - At 12:17 hours, a two-alarm fire damaged a frame dwelling on 12th Avenue near South 6th Street. At 20:32 hours, a three-alarm fire heavily damaged an apartment house on South 11th Street near 14th Avenue AUGUST 14 1944 - A 75-foot Pirsch aerial was assigned to Truck 5, costing $17,180. 1978 - At 03:00 hours, a two-alarm fire damaged three frame tenements on Hunterdon Street near West Runyon Street. An hour later, at 04:04 hours, another two-alarm fire damaged three brick tenements on Clifton Avenue near Park Avenue. 1987 - At 05:53 hours, a man was set on fire and killed in a hallway of the Wright Homes housing project on Prince Street near Ali Avenue. AUGUST 15 1938 - Truck 8 relocated to quarters at 87 Elm Rd. with Engine 27. 1952 - A 700 Series 1000-GPM American LaFrance pumper was assigned to Engine 23, costing $15,100. 1966 - Rescue 1's 1959 Gerstenslager rescue body was removed from the wrecked Ford chassis, placed on a Diamond-T chassis, and assigned to Rescue 1. AUGUST 16 1915 - The Dixon pumper that had to be completely overhauled after only eight months of service was reassigned to Engine 12. 1939 - Truck 8 relocated to their Ferry Street quarters. 1949 - A 700 Series, 85' American LaFrance aerial was assigned to Truck 2, costing $31,185. 1974 - At 00:37 hours, a vacant foundry was destroyed in a three-alarm fire on Hyatt Avenue near Wilson Avenue 1980 - At 18:12 hours, while working at a single-alarm fire in a vacant three-story brick tenement on Broadway near 4th Avenue, a firefighter stepped out onto a fire escape to overhaul and it collapsed, pitching him three floors to the pavement below. He died on August 20th. AUGUST 17 1938 - A white, 500 Series 100-foot American LaFrance steel aerial was assigned to Truck 1, costing $17,290. This was the first metal aerial in the history of the NFD. 1962 - At 17:19 hours, a three-alarm fire heavily damaged a factory on Lockwood Street near Euclid Avenue. 1987 - At 08:18 hours, a truck driver burned to death in a fiery high-speed collision between a barrel truck and a bus at Elizabeth and Watson Avenues.

E-mail message From: chiefhank@xtra.co.nz (chiefhank) Date: Mon, Aug 19, 2002, 8:07am (EDT+16) To: FireServiceHistory@yahoogroups.com (FireHistory) Subject: Newark NJ FD History - Aug. 18-19-20 NEWARK FD HISTORY AUGUST 18 1923 - Engines 2, 4, 24 and Fireboat 1 responded on a mutual aid call for a major fire in Harrison. 1936 - Engine 24 relocated to quarters at 15 Prince Street with Engine 20. AUGUST 19 1937 - Chemical 1's designation was officially changed to Rescue Company 1, and they remained at their quarters at New and Colden Streets. 1960 - The installation of the new RCA radio system was completed. 1984 - At 03:39 hours, a person died in a single-alarm fire on Bergen Street near 16th Avenue. AUGUST 20 1904 - Truck Co. 6 was placed in service at 443 Broadway at Herbert Place 1912 - James Clayton Howard and M.P. Corcoran were appointed as the first Chaplains in the NFD. 1931 - Due to the start of construction on the new subway system, the following apparatus moves were made; Water Tower 1 to Engine 2; Engine 24 to Engine 1; Squad 1 to Engine 20; Fuel & Supply Trucks to Engine 5. 1950 - At 21:29 hours, a three-alarm fire heavily damaged a commercial building on Broad Street near W. Park Street 1972 - At 04:17 hours, a three-alarm fire destroyed two frame tenements on 15th Avenue near South 12th Street 1980 - Firefighter Harry Halpin, of Truck 2, died as a result of critical head injuries sustained on August 16th. He was injured while operating at a single-alarm fire in a vacant building on Broadway. He had stepped out onto a fire escape while overhauling and it collapsed, pitching him three floors to the pavement, where he landed headfirst.

E-mail message From: chiefhank@xtra.co.nz (chiefhank) Date: Wed, Aug 21, 2002, 10:42am (EDT+16) To: FireServiceHistory@yahoogroups.com (FireHistory) Subject: Newark NJ FD History - Aug. 21-22-23 NEWARK N.J. F.D. HISTORY AUGUST 21 1911 - Firefighter Alfred L. Biebel, of Truck 3, died as a result of severe injuries sustained while responding to an alarm. He was thrown from the driver's seat, after hitting a depression in the pavement at Bruce Street and Prospect Place, and fell under the wheels of the truck. 1926 - At 20:34 hours, a three-alarm fire heavily damaged the Cooper Chemical Co. on Van Buren Street near South Street. The plant had been damaged in an earlier two-alarm fire on June 4th. 1978 - At 00:13 hours, a three-alarm fire heavily damaged four frame dwellings on Camden Street near 14th Avenue AUGUST 22 1956 - A 100-foot Pirsch aerial was assigned to Truck 1. 1980 - At 06:20 hours, a three-alarm fire destroyed three frame tenements on South 14th Street near Springfield Avenue. 1995 - A four-alarm fire, which started in a pallet yard at Spring Street near 8th Avenue, went on to destroy the four-story brick Urban Printing Company. 1995 - As the above fire was being brought under control, a fire, which was started in a vacant dwelling on Stone Street near Summer Avenue, had involved three buildings by the time firefighters arrived. The fire continued to spread to three other buildings, including a four-story brick apartment house, resulting in four-alarms being called to the scene. Many companies answering the extra alarms were mutual aid companies called in to cover the city's vacant firehouses. AUGUST 23 1973 - At 20:20 hours, a three-alarm fire destroyed a paper warehouse on Park Avenue near North 13th Street 1980 - At 21:46 hours, a three-alarm fire heavily damaged the Art Metals Co. on Passaic Street near Clay Street. 1983 - An extremely smoky four-alarm fire, which blanketed the downtown area in a heavy pall of smoke, seriously damaged the TDR Plastic Co. at Orange and 1st Streets.

E-mail message From: chiefhank@xtra.co.nz (chiefhank) Date: Tue, Aug 6, 2002, 7:47pm (EDT+16) To: FireServiceHistory@yahoogroups.com (FireHistory) Subject: Newark NJ FD History - Aug. 6-7-8 NFD HISTORY - AUGUST 6 1966 - At 18:34 hours, a spectacular three-alarm fire destroyed four frame tenements on Hunterdon Street near Rose Street. 1987 - At 02:35 hours, a smoky three-alarm fire in the basement of the Carlton Hotel, on East Park Street near Park Place, forced a woman to jump to her death from a sixth-floor window. Firefighters were faced with a severe life hazard and heavy rescue problem. NFD HISTORY - AUGUST 7 1955 - While returning from an alarm, Engine 6 was involved in a collision with a car at Springfield Avenue and Bergen Street. A civilian was injured. 1968 - At 21:19 hours, a four-task force fire heavily damaged three frame tenements on Hunterdon Street near 17th Avenue. 1972 - At 14:06 hours, a three-alarm fire heavily damaged an apartment house on Bergen Street near 14th Avenue. 1977 - At 03:06 hours, a three-alarm fire heavily damaged three frame tenements on Littleton Avenue near 16th Avenue. 1981 - A 1250 GPM International/Continental "Compac" pumper was assigned to Engine 6, costing $90,000. These rigs were to be nicknamed the "Tonka Toys." NFD HISTORY - AUGUST 8 1915 - Bids were put out for five tractors to begin the motorization of horse-drawn apparatus. 1946 - Firefighter Francis Corbett, of Engine 6, died of massive internal injuries suffered in the July 31st collision between Engine 6 and Truck 5. He became impaled on the tiller step through his back in the accident. 1969 - A 100-foot Seagrave aerial was assigned to Truck 9, costing $61,000. 1974 - A Chevrolet Step-Van was assigned to Tactical Unit 1, costing $8,803. 1980 - At 01:53 hours, a two-alarm fire damaged three buildings and killed two people on South 19th Street near South Orange Avenue.

E-mail message From: chiefhank@xtra.co.nz (chiefhank) Date: Fri, Apr 5, 2002, 11:53am (EST+17) To: FireServiceHistory@yahoogroups.com (FireHistory) Subject: Newark, NJ FD HIstory - April 4-5-6 NFD HISTORY - APRIL 4 1902 - A Hayward first-size city truck was assigned to Truck 1, costing $2,750. 1949 - A 700 Series, 85-foot American LaFrance aerial was assigned to Truck 4, costing $31,185. 1955 - At 00:50 hours, a warehouse at Frelinghuysen Avenue and East Peddie Street was heavily damaged in a three-alarm fire (Box 2512). 1968 - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee. This prompted sporadic looting and fire-setting sprees in Newark and several other major U.S. cities. At 21:02 hours, a three-task force fire heavily damaged three frame tenements at 506-508-510 Hunterdon Street near Rose Street (Box 4229 - Tour 3). 1970 - At 00:22 hours, a two-alarm arson fire took the lives of five people and heavily damaged two frame dwellings at 606 South 10th Street and 1 Brenner Street (Box 4452 - Tour 4). 1981 - At 02:53 hours, a man died of smoke inhalation in a single-alarm fire on Monticello Avenue near South Orange Avenue (Tour 1). 1982 - A four-alarm fire destroyed a Fine-Fare Supermarket and damaged several other buildings at 791 South Orange Avenue opposite Vermont Avenue (Box 1513 - Tour 4). 1985 - At 00:07 hours, a two-alarm fire damaged two dwellings and claimed the life of one resident at 65-67 South 10th Street near 9th Avenue (Box 1414 - Tour 3). NFD HISTORY - APRIL 5 1897 - At 02:22 hours, a general-alarm fire destroyed the Caldedonia Hall and nine houses at Springfield Avenue and Magnolia Street. The hall was a large frame arena that was used for boxing bouts, political rallies, etc. (Box 616) 1968 - At 13:00 hours, a five-task force fire heavily damaged a row of frame tenements at 80-82 Stratford Place near Rose Street (Box 4143 - Tour 1). 1975 - At 19:12 hours, a two-alarm fire damaged a row of four frame dwellings at 38-40-42-44 North 12th Street near 4th Avenue (Box 3452 - Tour 2). At 21:40 hours, a spectacular three-alarm fire heavily damaged a dozen frame tenements and dwellings at 389-391-393-395-397-399-398-400 South 6th Street and 384-388-389 Littleton Avenue near 16th Avenue. Due to the other fire still in progress, the fire was held to a third alarm (Box 4371 - Tour 2). 1980 - At 06:47 hours, a person died in a small fire on Broome Street near Court Street (Tour 3). 1984 - At 12:17 hours, a person died in a single-alarm fire that damaged two dwellings on Tremont Avenue near Maybaum Avenue (Tour 3). 1987 - At 17:37 hours, a person was killed in a single-alarm blaze on North 7th Street near Sussex Avenue (Tour 3/1). NFD HISTORY - APRIL 6 1947 - At 05:07 hours, a three-alarm fire heavily damaged a factory at 52 Saint Francis Street near Ferry Street (Box 5136). 1970 - At 13:58 hours, another spectacular three-alarm fire destroyed a large area of tires at Lowenstein's scrap rubber yard at 401 South Street at Adams Street. This yard was the scene of several multi-alarm fires over the years (Box 5457 - Tour 3). 1980 - At 04:20 hours, a person died in a small fire on South Street near Broad Street (Tour 3). 1983 - At 07:08 hours, a person died in a single-alarm fire on Frelinghuysen Avenue near Lowell Place (Tour 3). 1985 - At 22:00 hours, a person was killed in a single-alarm fire on Ingraham Place near Millington Avenue (Tour 1). 1991 - At 04:48 hours, a two-alarm fire killed a man and heavily damaged an occupied 2-1/2-story frame dwelling on Broadway near Verona Avenue. A similar, adjacent building was also damaged (Tour 4).

E-mail message From: chiefhank@xtra.co.nz (chiefhank) Date: Mon, Apr 8, 2002, 12:57pm (EDT+16) To: FireServiceHistory@yahoogroups.com (FireHistory) Subject: Newark, NJ FD History - Apr. 7-8-9 NFD HISTORY - APRIL 7 1917 - At 22:25 hours, another four-alarm fire heavily damaged the J.B. Grumman Spice Co. at Magazine and Darcy Streets (Box 598). 1920 - Wagon 18's 1904 Champion-Babcock wagon was motorized with a White motor chassis. 1935 - Engines 21, 26 and Truck 12 moved back to their former quarters at 420 Sanford Avenue, which was housing the Seventh Precinct. 1947 - At 20:24 hours, a three-alarm fire heavily damaged a factory at 332 Mulberry Street near Chestnut Street (Box 2315). 1963 - At 11:14 hours, a two-alarm fire damaged a three-story frame tenement at 270 South 12th Street near 12th Avenue. While operating there, Captain Frank Kirkbride, of Truck 7, collapsed due to smoke inhalation. He was treated and driven to his home, where he again collapsed a short time later, dead of a heart attack (Box 1436 - Tour 1). 1965 - A Ford salvage wagon, with enclosed utility body, was assigned to Salvage 1. 1979 - At 10:31 hours, another four-alarm fire heavily damaged the fifth and sixth floors, and cockloft, of the six-story brick Hotel Benzell at 450 Broad Street at Division Street (Box 3114 - Tour 3). 1980 - At 15:20 hours, a three-alarm fire destroyed the fourth floor, cockloft, and roof of a recently vacated four-story brick apartment house at 234 Clinton Place near Renner Avenue (Box 4571 - Tour 2). 1985 - At 00:51 hours, a person died in a single-alarm blaze on South 18th Street near 16th Avenue (Tour 1). NFD HISTORY - APRIL 8 1943 - At 19:19 hours, a four-alarm fire swept through a row of frame tenements on Sherman Avenue near Wright Street (Box 2414). 1955 - At 13:59 hours, a wind-whipped four-alarm fire swept a naval pier in Port Newark. Engine 10 lost their hose wagon when a sudden wind-shift swept flames towards firefighters (Box 5774). 1965 - At 00:54 hours, a two-alarm fire heavily damaged a commercial building at 23 Broadway near 7th Avenue (Box 3124 - Tour 1). At 05:33 hours, a three-alarm fire heavily damaged a factory at 108 Blanchard Street near Raymond Boulevard (Box 5159 - Tour 1). 1966 - While off-duty, Captain Raymond Reilly, of Truck 1, was electrocuted while trying to rescue a boy caught on a train tower in Bloomfield. A civilian was also electrocuted before Reilly while attempting a rescue. The boy, who was the son of an East Orange firefighter, was rescued via aerial ladder after the power had been shut down. 1978 - At 01:16 hours, a two-alarm fire heavily damaged a large three-story frame tenement on Ashland Street near 14th Avenue. Firefighters rescued numerous occupants from the building and several people were injured when they were forced to jump from windows. The bodies of two smoke inhalation victims were later found on the third floor (Box 1444 - Tour 3). 1979 - The reduced assignment period, during which time only two engines and one truck would respond on street boxes, was modified to go from 0800 to 2400 hours. 1982 - A man was found burned to death dead in his room at a rooming house on Wilson Avenue near Garrison Street. He had apparently rolled over in his sleep onto a hot plate that he kept at the side of his bed. His clothes ignited, and being heavily intoxicated, he burned before he could wake up (Tour 3). NFD HISTORY - APRIL 9 1925 - At 20:39 hours, a three-alarm fire heavily damaged a factory at New Jersey Railroad Avenue and Miller Street (Box 593). 1965 - A Ford salvage wagon, with enclosed utility body, was assigned to Salvage 2. 1966 - At 01:32 hours, Newark's Bravest started the Easter weekend fighting a two-alarm fire that heavily damaged a building at 293 Sussex Avenue near 3rd Street (Box 1355 - Tour 4). At 04:35 hours, a spectacular three-alarm fire destroyed 10 houses and killed five children at 16th Avenue & South 7th Street (Box 4348 - Tour 4). Almost simultaneously, at 04:41 hours, a two-alarm fire broke out in an apartment house at South Orange Avenue and Bergen Street (Box 1343 - Tour 4). Mutual aid from the towns surrounding Newark was called in to help battle the blazes. The South 7th Street blaze was one of the largest in the city's history up to that point in time, and it was the first time that such a large number of frame tenements were lost in one fire. 1968 - On this day, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was buried after being assassinated on April 4th. At 14:24 hours, a five-task force fire destroyed, or damaged, a total of 15 buildings at Springfield Avenue and Bergen Street. Most were 2-1/2-story frame dwellings and three-story frame tenements that extended from Fairmount Avenue to Bergen Street, across Bergen Street, and along Bergen Street towards 17th Avenue (Box 4251 - Tour 3). At 22:14 hours, another five-task force fire destroyed five frame tenements at Morris and 15th Avenues (Box 4211 - Tour 2). Numerous other multi-alarm fires were fought throughout the central ward by the handful of Newark companies that were left in service and by county mutual aid companies. 1971 - At 02:20 hours, a two-alarm fire damaged four frame tenements at 103-105-107-109 Peshine Avenue near Madison Avenue (Box 4235 - Tour 1). Less than a half-hour later, at 02:49 hours, a two-alarm fire killed two people and damaged three frame tenements at 45-47-49 Stratford Place near Rose Street (Box 4143 - Tour 1). At 19:30 hours, another two-alarm fire damaged three frame tenements at 580-582-584 South 10th Street near Springfield Avenue (Box 4452 - Tour 1). 1977 - Dr. Arthur "Doc" Devlin - life-long fire buff and friend to the fire service - died. Doc served as the Chief of the Fire Reserve from 1964 to 1975 and was an Honorary Deputy Chief with the NFD. He was also a past president of the Bell & Siren Club and was voted "Fire Buff of the Year" in 1975 by the IFBA. Doc rode with Rescue 1 and loved manning a deck gun at a fire. 1980 - In less than an hour, the First Tour of Newark's Bravest went to work at two single-alarm fires and a three-bagger. The first single-alarm fire occurred at 00:03 hours on Hunterdon Street near Hawthorne Avenue. At 00:51 hours, another single-alarm fire alarm occurred on Orange Street near Gray Street. At 01:12 hours, as units were operating on Orange Street, they spotted a fire just four blocks away at 7 North 12th Street near 6th Avenue. That fire went to three alarms and destroyed a four-story brick apartment house (Box 1424). NOTE: On April 8, 1955, Engine 10 lost their hose wagon to a rapidly spreading pier fire. This wasn't the first time that "Fighting 10" lost a piece of apparatus to the Red Demon! Back at the turn of the century, there was another pier fire and their steamer got caught and eventually fell into the bay through the charred pier. In the late '60s, their hose wagon was burnt out at the Bressler Furniture store fire on Frelinghuysen Avenue. Soon after arrival, the front plate glass windows let go and a blow torch of fire blew out into the middle of the street, igniting the wagon. No other company in the city's history has the distinction of getting into the face of the demon like "Fighting 10!!"