 Broadway Fire Department / F.T.F.D.:
“The Broadway Civic Association might be termed the parent body of the Franklin Township Fire Department because,
it was at a meeting of this organization, that a resolution was adopted authorizing a committee to survey the need and report
on the possibility of forming some sort of fire protection for the community.
On May 17,1948 in
the Broadway Methodist Church the first regular meeting of the Franklin Township Fire Department was held. This was attended by about 30 residents of Broadway who
had indicated interest in organizing a fire department.
Meeting
followed meeting through the summer and after raising some funds on the chancing off of a house trailer serious consideration was given the idea of procuring some fire fighting
equipment.
On Monday, Oct. 18, 1948 there was delivery to us. A “Hale” portable pump
with 500 feet of
1 1/2” inch hose. On Monday Nov. 2 a resolution was passed authorizing the purchase of a Reo fire truck from Roxbury Township of Morris County.
With acquisition of this equipment the need for proper housing became quite pressing.
At one meeting, a member conveyed the location for a building site of a new firehouse. Upon acceptance, the fire
department appointed a building committee. Work soon began on the erection of an adequate storage place for the equipment.
The need for funds was an ever-present condition, so on Nov. 2, 1949, a plan was approved for a donation drive aimed towards
the residents of Broadway. The response to this effort to stabilize our treasury was a significant
expression of confidence
in our efforts to serve the community.
A baked ham supper put on by the ladies of the women's
society for Christian service was another very successful fund raising method.
In
the early '50s, a kitchen and hall were added to the original structure to allow bingo to be run to raise funds. Also around this time, the name Franklin Township Fire Department
was changed to the Broadway
Fire Department due to the formation of another fire department in the township, New Village.
A new 1957 International cab-over pump truck was purchased to replace the Reo pumper. The next
piece of equipment acquired was a panel truck used to carry the boots, coats and other necessary equipment for fighting fires.
In 1973, the panel truck was replaced with an International Mini attack four-wheel drive pumper. The two International pumpers,
all types of fire fighting equipment and 20 members bring the Broadway fire department to date since 1976.
The late eighties
and early nineties brought a change to the fire service in the township. The Broadway Fire Department and New Village Fire
Company decided that they would merge to provide better protection to the residents of these two towns by combining both manpower
and equipment. The two departments would be known as the Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Department Inc. The fire department
placed into service a 1994 KME/Freightliner purchased by the township. The department also replaced a 1957 international pumper
with a 1971 Ford/Hahn pumper purchased, used, and then later replaced that with a 1973 Hahn 1000gpm/1250tank pumper purchased
used from the Mansfield Fire Company #1 in Warren County. The truck was extensively refurbished by the members of the department
and it served for over ten years as the first out engine from the Broadway station as well as its last year as the departments
reserve engine. (Both of the Hahn pumpers had the radio designation 57-64) In 2003, the department received a brand new Pierce
Contender Custom 1250gpm/1000tank pumper, purchased by the township; this truck was assigned to the Broadway
station to replace the Hahn. The Pierce, radio designation 57-61, is currently the first out engine, and serves
alongside the 1973 International 4x4 brush truck (57-81). The department also worked diligently over the last eight years
and was able to upgrade the cascade and utility truck, by purchasing a former ambulance from the Franklin Township rescue
squad to replace a 1980's Chevy snap-on type van. The new unit is a 1988 Ford/Luverne and is better suited to fill
the role that it is used for. The unit currently serves as 57-86. In 2005 the department was given an opportunity to
purchase the townships first aerial ladder truck to serve the residents of both the township as well as the county., The
truck was purchased with money raised by the members through the last few years and after a unanimous vote by all the members
present at a special meeting we purchased 57-69 a 1973 (refurbished in 1994) Pierce 75 foot snorkel purchased from the Hackettstown Fire
Department. The department also placed into service a second brush truck in late 2007, a 1985 Chevy ex military
chassis, co-op truck with the NJ Forest Fire Service. (currently 57-82) These trucks make up the fleet in the new Village
station. We have come a long way from humble beginnings of the original bay of the Broadway firehouse, which is where we currently
keep our 1952 Ford/Great Eastern (Oren) antique Pumper (57-62). This truck is used for Special details and parades but it
could be called back into service if the need arises. We are vigilant and ever ready while looking forward to the continued
support of our residents as we work hard for you whether you live in Franklin Township or are Just Passing through!
  New Village Fire Department / F.T.F.D.:
A group of civic-minded men discussed the idea of starting a volunteer fire company for the safety and benefit
of the citizens of New Village and surrounding area. Their ideas were brought forth late in 1948 at the first public meeting being held in January, 1949, with many interested
residents of the
town present. Some of these men are still active. At the first meeting temporary officers were elected as follows:
President
----------------- Joseph DeMasi
Vice President ---------- Atilio Carnali
Secretary ----------------- Vincent J. Fucci
Treasurer ----------------- Dominick Colaluce
Chief ----------------------- Fank Shiner
Assistant Chief --------- Nick Colucci
Captain ------------------- Michael Klaus
Lieutenant ---------------- Robert Grimes
Trustees ------------------ Peter Poalini, Florin Weiss, Nick Poalini
Plans were discussed
regarding the setup of the company. The main interest was the purchasing of a fire truck and firefighting equipment. Suggestions were made about how, when and where
money was to be raised. The Broadway Volunteer Fire Company, which had recently been organized, was
present. They offered suggestions and procedures that had proved to be successful for themselves.
A fire truck and various other equipment were purchased at a cost of
$1,854.00. After a public hearing inspection, approval was given
and New Village
had their first fire truck, a 1923 American La France. By the end of
1949, the company had over
100 social and active members. (At the time, Ernest Day of the New Jersey Fire Equipment Co. (Dullen) was helpful in suggesting,
choosing, and making decisions for the best use of our limited budget.)
Following the purchase
of the truck, which was just the beginning of forming a fire company, were the purchases of hose masks,
brooms, insurance and other essential items. Not only were the items necessary but so was the schooling of several members
in fire fighting techniques, cooperation and equipment usage.
On July 3, 1949, on the old
baseball field, the company held their dedication services with many in attendance. Among those present
were various businessmen and organizations.
Later that year, plans were discussed on the idea
of going into debt for the erection of a new building to house our firefighting equipment. The fire company issued shares
at $10 per share for its members.
The site chosen for the building was next to the Italian-American
Pleasure Club of
New Village. Arthur Creveling and John Chieser offered much time, know-how and advice in erecting the fire house.
In May of 1952, a 1000 gallon truck (57-62) was ordered at a cost of $13,001.50. Delivery was to be around January, 1953. The United
Can Company helped defray the cost of the new truck with sizable contributions.
In
February 1956 the pleasure club and the fire company united as one and are
known as the New Village Firemen's club and the New Village Volunteer
Fire Co.
During the past eight to ten years, bringing us to around
1976, the Fire Company has run bingo. Bingo has resulted in a 1968 fire truck purchased at a cost of $23,000.00 and the erection
of a bigger and more modern firehouse. The money from bingo was also used to purchase hose and air packs. Its also helped purchase Plectron’s
for the firefighters homes.
Asbury Fire Company / F.T.F.D.:
Chiefs
William Stanley.... 1956 - 1957 - 1958 Will King... 1959 - 1960 Harry Smith... 1961 - 1962 William Cooper... 1963 - 1964 Ed Woolf... 1965 - 1966 Walter Stedenfeld... 1967 - 1968 William Stanley... 1969 - 1970 James Bolmer... 1971 - 1972 Bud Honecker... 1973 - 1974 Richard Peters... 1975 - 1976 Richard Smith... 1977 - 1978 Harry Smith... 1979 - 1980 Tom Breslin... 1981 - 1982 George Durar... 1983 Bud Honecker... 1984 - 1985 Gary Wood... 1986 - 1987 Bernie Beatty... 1988 - 1989 Al Mauren... 1990 - 1991 Karl Barger Jr. ... 1992 - 1993 - 1994
- 1995 Otis
Cole... 1996 - 1997 - 1998 - 1999 - 2000 Barry Herman... 2001 - 2002 Karl Barger Jr. ... 2003 - 2004 John Murray... 2005 John Frechette..2006 George Young Jr....2007 - 2008 -
2009 - 2010
The Asbury Volunteer Fire Company was organized on December 12, 1955. Our first officers were: Walter Stedenfeld -
President
Louis Grakey - Vice President Leonard Ziegler - Secretary Claude Dimmick -
Treasurer
William Stanley - Chief
William Miller - Assistant Chief Richard Peters - Captain Donald Groover -
Lieutenant
Rev. B. O'Rear - Chaplan Richard Flournory - Trustee Clyde Speck - Trustee Theodore Crawley -
Trustee
Land for our firehouse was donated by S.E. Speck and Son. On March 17, 1956 a ground breaking ceremony was held with
Gov. Robert Meyner as guest speaker. Construction of the firehouse was a town project, with the work being done by the
community.
In May 1957 the Fire Company was ready and open for business with a completed building, a pump and a tank truck - an
American LaFrance 500 - gallons-a-minute Class B Pumper that was purchased for $370.00 and in service until 1962. On October 28, 1962 an International
Pumper was purchased for $12,261.00. A new Imperial Fire truck - 1,000 gallons-a-minute pumper - was delivered in May
1973 at the cost of $39,000.00.
In 1975 a radio telephone and siren alarm system was set up in the homes of Harry Smith and Ed Woolf to report fires and notify
fireman. Later, plectronics were purchased and distributed for each fireman's home. The land behind the firehouse
was purchased in April 1976 from William Plenge.
In February 1982 a new building and remodel of the old was proposed, then approved in September, as an estimated cost of $45,000.00.
A 1972 GMC Oil Delivery Truck
was converted to a 2,000 gallon water tanker by members in 1985 and put into service. In 1986 our department switched
from self-dispatch to local police dispatch in Lopatcong Township. Our members converted another Oil
Delivery Truck in 1991 to a 3,000 gallon tanker and put it into service. In 1994, County 911 opened for all Warren County
police, fire, and rescue squads who are now dispatched from a regional location. Franklin Township purchased a 1994
KME 1,000 gpm Pumper for $175,000.00 in 1995 and that serves us presently as 58-62, along with 58-81, a 1995 Ford F350 4-door
Brush Truck that was purchased for $42,000.00 in 1996. A 1984 GMC Suburban was purchased in 1999
for $12,000.00 from Quakertown Fire Company to be used for various company business including use as a command unit.
It was replaced with our current 58-85; a 2003 Dodge Durango bought brand new that year for $21,000.00. At the cost of $250,000.00,
a 2000 S&S /Spartan 3,000 Gallon Pumper-Tanker was purchased and put into service during the new millennium. New Kitchen equipment replaced
items that were 20-30 years old in 2005 at an approximate cost of $10,000.00. This year, 2006, hall renovations have
begun to bring our building up to current fire and ADA codes.
In 2007, Acting Chief George
Young applied for and received a grant from FEMA to replace the old Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA's)
that dated back to the 1970's. The Company was awarded a grant for 13 new 2007 compliant Scott SCBA's, 13 Spare bottles,
and 13 new AV-3000 Scott Masks. The total cost for the equipment was $70,000.00 in which the grant paid $55,081.00 toward
the purchase of the new equipment. The Fire Company paid the remaining money from donations, fund drives, and dinners. In
2008 we also received 13 new 2007 compliant Pass 3 devices, 1 for each new SCBA, due to having Non- Working
Pass Devices (PAL 5) at the time, which didn’t work and were outdated creating a serious safety issue for the members.
In 2008, Acting Chief George Young applied for and received a grant from FEMA to purchase an SCBA Air Filling
Station which the company didn't have, and a new Generator to replace the current outdated unit
that has not been reliable. The approved project costs total to $16,300.00. The Federal share is 95 percent or $15,485.00
of the approved amount. The other 5% or $815.00 will be paid for by the Asbury Fire Company itself with funds raised by our
members throughout the year. We we have needed these items for some time now since we have never had a
way of filling our SCBA bottles and would have to rely on our mutual aid companies to fill them for us which meant a lot of
time running around and scheduling this to be done not to mention having some SCBA's out of service until they were filled.
As for the new generator, we needed a more reliable unit for portable electric on certain fire calls as we are in a rural
area and need electric at certain times on calls for lighting, power tools, etc. The unit currently in use is from 1980. These
new items are yet another accomplishment and step forward for our company and for the Firefighter's
that depend on having the proper gear and equipment to continue to protect the residents of our community. On behalf
of The Asbury Fire Company and the resident's our our community thank you FEMA for
this grant award! Since our department was established in 1955, Asbury Volunteer Fire Company has done an excellent
job in providing the community with alert and effective fire protection. In addition to our firefighting, members are
very community minded, sponsoring annual Halloween and Christmas events. The firehouse is used for numerous community
meetings and proceedings, and hall rentals were our neighbors can host birthday parties, weddings or various classes.
Our members have established an active Fire Prevention Program going to local schools and reaching out to the youth of the
community, and a Junior Firefighter Program preparing younger members for later work in fire service. Our department
volunteers also enjoy reaching out to the local neighborhoods by participating in parades and fairs, such as 56 Rescue's
annual Open House.
On March 1st, 2010, The Township of Franklin decided it best that all the Townships
Fire Departments merge and be operated as one Department to better serve the residents of Franklin Township! The Asbury
Fire Company as of this date would now be known as The Franklin Township Fire Department Station 3! We, the Asbury Fire Company look forward to many more years of service to
our community serving as The Franklin Township Fire Department (57 FIRE)! Thank you to all who made the past 55 years
possible.
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| FIRE FIRE |
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| Responding early days |
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| Responding in the early days |
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| Remembering |
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| Firefighters & Ladies Aux. |
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