A History of the Roseland Fire Department

Origins | Apparatus | Bells and Whistles | Stations | Statistics | Closing Thoughts

Origins

Since the days of the colonial fire watch and bucket brigades, Americans have banded together to protect their homes and business from the ravages of fire.  The Borough of Roseland is no different.  On July 23, 1913 a meeting was held in the "Band Hall" in Roseland with the intent to form a group of citizens to protect the town from fires.  Forty four men attended that evening.  They adopted the name "Roseland Volunteer Fire Company" and elected William Chubbuck the first Chief, E.A. Williams Assistant Chief, Oscar DeCamp Treasurer, and Arthur Braunsworth Secretary.  All the members present adopted a pledge that read, "We the undersigned citizens of Roseland, pledge ourselves to form a volunteer fire company, without pay, for a period of one year, to protect life and property of the Borough against loss by fire."

Through the cooperation of the Newark, NJ Fire Department, the committee was made aware of their minimum needs.  The information was conveyed to the town council with a request for $1,000.00 in funds.  The council enthusiastically supported the idea and a check was cut immediately.  With that, a "Thomas Flyer" engine, a combination water and chemical tank, a hose carrier, and twenty fire helmets were purchased.  The fire department wanted to display their new engine and marched in the Caldwell parade that year.  The Thomas Flyer caught fire during the parade but was later repaired.  According to Assistant Chief Williams, "It took a long time to live that one down."

|Apparatus

In 1921 our second engine, Engine 2,  a "Garford" replaced Engine 1 which in turn gave way to Engine 3 (nicknamed "Old Bess"), a 750 gallon American LaFrance.  Engine 3 served faithfully for 31 years and is still in possession of the fire department. (See photo below)

In 1922 the department wrote and adopted a Constitution and by-laws that all firefighters agreed to abide by.  It read in part, "...and no excuse was to be accepted for failure to appear for meetings or suffer the extreme penalty of a $.10 fine."  Dues were set at $.10 per month, and yes, believe it or not, "...a fine of $.25 for using indecent language, failure to respond to an alarm, leaving duty without permission, and for not fulfilling cleaning duties."  That year Alfred Booth was elected Foreman, Morris Meeker Assistant Foreman, and George Ball, Warden.  In 1958 the Department purchased a triple combination pumper (662) for $17,751. 

In 1974 the department purchased its first Mack (E-661), a tradition that continued for twenty years.  Another Mack engine was purchased in 1980 (E-663) and a third (E-662) in 1984 .  The department's first ladder truck (T-665), a Pierce, was purchased in 1985 and still remains in service.  Below is the department's apparatus in 1986.

The department moved into the 21st century with the purchase of a Rescue 1 Rescue Truck (R-664) in 2001 and a Piece Enforcer Engine (E-661) in 2003. (See photo below)  The department currently runs nine vehicles to protect the town.

Bells and Whistles

From the beginning the department was "dispatched" by steel fire rings with attached 6 pound sledgehammers.  Though not a bad system, with wind blowing, the Becker Farm steam whistle blowing, or a kid with a rock could circumvent the system.  They were replaced by air-raid warning sirens mounted around the borough, many of which are still in service today.  One of the original fire rings proudly stands outside fire headquarters on Eagle Rock Avenue.  With the advent of the telephone, calls were first routed through Conklin's Candy Store.  Later a connection was made to the Police Department.   Emergency call boxes were placed around the town.   In the 1950's, shoe-box sized radio "plectrons" were purchased to give the firefighters radio-dispatched alarms from their homes.  This system functioned until the late 1970's when pocket-sized pagers allowed firefighters to be mobile in the area and receive alarms.   The pagers were upgraded to "Motorola Minitors" in the 1990's.   In 1952, radios were installed in the fire apparatus to enable the men to communicate with police headquarters and each other.  In 1963, portable radios were purchased for the officers and men to communicate from within a fire building.  Today every officer has a radio and our chiefs have Nextel phones.  Each firefighter has access to a portable radio on the fireground for emergencies.

Stations

From the beginning, the problem of the storage of the engines was taken care of by storing them in Conklin's Barn, then Gus William's barn, then in Travis' garage, then in Fout's garage.

On May 31, 1939 the engine was moved from Fout's Garage (see picture above) to a two bay house located at "The Point" where Eagle Rock and Harrison Avenues cross. (See photo below)  In the 1980's the Department moved to its present station at 300 Eagle Rock Avenue.

Statistics

In 1913 when the fire department was formed, there were 88 homes in Roseland, a blacksmith shop, the Roseland Hotel, a butcher store, a wheelwright shop, a grocery, a post office, and a general store.  There were 7 fire hydrants in the town.  At the annual banquets in the early years of the fire department, members were recognized for years of service.  That tradition continues today.  In 1963, any member who reached twenty five years of service received a special badge, public praise from the mayor, and a $25.00 savings bond from the Borough.  In 1913 the department responded to 22 alarms.  In 2006 the department responded to over 240..

Closing Thoughts

The Roseland Fire Department has a proud tradition of service.  Some ideals have stood the test of time;  the willingness of the members to awake from sleep of leave their families in service of others; the pride in stations, equipment, and apparatus that is shown by the countless hours spent cleaning and repairing; educating the children and members of the community in fire prevention; the support of the community for our annual fund drive;  the support of the town council; and pride in the lives and property that have been saved by the firefighters of Roseland.

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Roseland, New Jersey 07068 ~ (973) 226-1126