MFD 1905 – 1980

A   meeting of the citizens of Mendham Township is hereby called for the purpose of forming a Bucket Brigade. The meeting will be held in a Township Hall on June 10, 1905 at 8:00 p.m.

With some such notice as this the first meeting of the Mendham Fire Department was called. Mr. E.S.P. Bretherton acted as chairman and Mr. J. Smith Gunther served as secretary. Committees were appointed to solicit funds and members, and June 20th was set as the time for the next meeting.

At the June 20th meeting the name MENDHAM FIRE DEPARTMENT was formally adopted, and officers were elected. These officers were, President — Edward S.P. Bretherton, Secretary — J. Smith Gunther, Treasurer — Charles P. Bretherton, and Chief — John M. Hoffman. The Committee on solicitations reported they had raised $517.50 to date.

The next meeting June 27th provided the Chief the opportunity of appointing his assistant officers of the department. These were First Assistant — Everett L. Garabrant, Second Assistant — Aaron V. Apgar, Third Assistant — Frederick R. Guerin, Steward — John S. Tiger. A committee for the purpose of purchasing Fire Apparatus was appointed and a roll of charter members was taken. The committee for purchasing the Fire Apparatus were George Delp, Everett Garabrant and Frederick Guerin. The President and Chief were to act on the same committee. This committee went to work at once getting pictures, specifications, prices and full information on all available equipment. On September 5^th they reported the purchase of an American LaFrance combination Hook and Ladder Truck, which was to be delivered in about 90 days.

At the September meeting a committee was appointed to arrange for and hold a dance or ball, proceeds of course for the apparatus fund. It didn’t take long in those days to arrange for and run a dance for we find in the minutes of the October meeting that net proceeds of $264.98 were turned in to the treasury. This was the first of the Annual Balls that were to be the only regular means of financing the Fire Department.

In December a dance was held to celebrate the arrival of the Fire Apparatus. This horse drawn vehicle costing a total of $885.00 was a beauty but it presented a problem in housing. Mr. George Millen very generously offered the use of his barn which was accepted and used for some time.

In May of 1906 Mr. John Hoffman built a shed to house the truck in. Here it was kept until the new fire house was ready. At this time the regulation New York City Firemen’s uniform was adopted and a fund started for the purchase of them. The price of the uniforms was $13.50 for cap, coat and pants. Lapel pins with the name Mendham on them were purchased at a later date.

Though the uniform price may not have been high, $6.00 was thought to be too much for a car wheel to be used for a fire alarm and the alarm subject was dropped for the time being.

It is interesting to note that the dignity of parliamentary rule was not always upheld even in days gone by. On the 5th of June, 1906, the date of the second annual meeting, the minutes read as follows, “Rule No. 1. Roll call and absentees noted. The meeting got the cart before the horse at this point and elected the officers for the coming year when it should have been done under Rule No. 7.” Then under Rule 7 we find, “Rule No. 7, Election of Officers. None to Elect.” The officers were elected under Rule No. 1 where we got the cart before the horse. Ah me, such is life. Though the officers may have been elected under the wrong rule, business went forward as usual.

In August the Department bought a seal, the by-laws were completed, read and excepted and were soon printed and distributed. About this time a motion consolidating the office or President and Chief was passed. This motion was to take effect at the next annual meeting.

In December of 1906 the long awaited Fire House was finished. Chairs and a table were bought, and truck, men and equipment all moved into the building that was to be their Fire Headquarters for many years.

Early in January, 1907, a chimney fire broke out in the boarding house of Mrs. J. Phoenix, and the new 40 foot extension ladder was used for the first time. Evidently no practice or procedure had been worked out for the use of this ladder. It took 10 men over ten minutes to get it up and then it was upside down.

The fire alarm business was brought up again at the February meeting and a new committee was appointed. At the March meeting this committee reported that they could buy a 34 inch bell for $50.00 or a car wheel for $6.00, and that an electric whistle would not work. They were then ordered to get two car wheels. In September, when the wheels arrived one was placed by Gunther’s Garage, and the other by the Freeman Building.

The Vamps having received their uniforms were anxious to show them off, so when they received an invitation from Hackettstown to parade there in August of 1907, arrangements were made to go and make a day of it. This wasn’t as simple as it would be today. The trip had to be made by train from Morristown. Services of a band were secured, tickets purchased and off they went. No mention is made of any prize but it was noted that a good time was had by all.

During the year 1908, the water system was completed in the town proper and in June of that year the Fire Department, decided to purchase a new hose cart and hose. In September of 1908, a cart and 700 feet of hose were purchased from the Fabric Hose Company, for $626.00. When hose and cart arrived in March of 1909 a test was run for pressure at the Liberty Pole, in the center of town and at the Hilltop Church. Water was thrown up to the second cornish on the Church and about 10 ft, over the liberty pole without the aid of a pumper.

In June of 1909 the Department received an invitation to parade in Plainfield, on July 7. The invitation was accepted and a drill master was hired to drill the boys. They must have looked pretty sharp as they took a prize for the Best Looking Uniformed Company in line.

Returning from a drill one evening the boys got tired and tied the hose cart on the back of John Hoffman’s car. Turning the corner by the Black Horse Inn, at HIGH SPEED, a wheel broke on the Hose Cart. So that this might not happen again the Chief was instructed to get two new wheels six inches smaller in diameter.

In January of 1913, a new fire alarm system was installed. This consisted of a clock which had discs with slots cut in them for different numbers. These discs when placed in the clock would make electric contact with the bell in the First Presbyterian Church. The number rung told the location of the fi re. Big weights were hung in the Church Steeple. These weights rang the mechanism and had to be wound up by means of a winch that took two men to operate.

In March of 1913 it was decided to incorporate the department and change its name to the Mendham Independent Hook and Ladder Company.

The necessary papers were drawn up in April of that year and signed and sealed. After this incorporation the Company handed the Bore Officials a resolution asking them to form a new company that would be under the jurisdiction of the said officials. This, the Council agreed to do, passing a resolution that formed the Mendham Hose Company. The Mendham Hose Company was organized in July of 1913. The primary purpose of this move was to allow the Borough of Mendham a means of helping support the Fire Department. Up until this time all equipment, maintenance and housing were paid for by the Independent Company. Further, the opportunity of forming a Firemen’s relief association was now opened. Equipment consisting of a hose cart, hose, nozzles and other necessary equipment was turned over to the Borough by the Independent Company, and a list of charter members was set up.

The Independent Company now became the proving ground for the new men. Joining the Independent Company certain qualifications had to be met before they were recommended to the Council for election to the Hose Company. The same system is followed today as it has proven to be a very good way of education in the art of fire fighting.

On or about the first of January, 1914, an Auto chassis was given to the Independent Company by Mr. Pitney. This chassis was of Foreign make, S.G.V. by name. It cranked from the side and wound counterclockwise. It took two revolutions of the crank to turn the engine once. Not every one could start it. Mr. J.S. Gunther, was given the job of pre-

paring it for service. Body, 500 feet of hose, nozzles, axes, a 24 foot extension ladder, a 12 foot roof ladder and some other equipment cost the Company about $1100.00. This was quite an addition to the Fire Department, and it signaled the passing of horse drawn vehicles for fire use in Mendham.

In 1916, the meeting night was changed from the first Tuesday, to the last Monday of each month, and the annual meeting changed from the June meeting to December. Since that time there have been no changes in those dates.

On March 20, 1914, the Mendham Firemen’s Relief Association was formed. The First Officers were, President — Frank M. Groendyke, Vice-President — Charles H. Day, Secretary — Frank Freeman, Treasurer — George Delp. Trustees were elected as follows: J. Smith Gunther, Arthur B. Crane, Leo Robinson. The necessary record books were set up. The Treasurer instructed in his duties as collector for the Association, and the necessary auditing arranged for. Except for change in officers, changes in By-laws (as set forth by the State Association), this Association has continued as originally set up. Relief to its members amounting to many hundreds of dollars has been paid by it. Doctor’s Certificates for all its members who joined after 1922, are on file with the State Office. In some cases these certificates were obtained many years after the members joined the Department. As is probably true in any organization some of its officers were less aggressive than others, its collectors in particular have been up and down. Nevertheless it has never been necessary to call on the State Organization for assistance and its treasury is presently on the increase.

In September of 1919, a new fire truck was received. This was a pumper capable of delivering 350 gpm. It was the property of the Bore Hose Company. The Independent Hook and Ladder Company donated $800.00 toward its purchase.

In February of 1920 the Independent Hook and Ladder Company purchased a Ford tractor equipped with a fifth wheel and the old ladder chassis was mounted on it. Refinements were made to the Ladder chassis and among these, one given serious consideration was the installing of a fifth wheel on the original front axel of the said chassis so that it could be used by hitching a team to it in the event the engine of the tractor wouldn’t start.

In March of 1922, after much listening to and inquiring about sirens, one was ordered. Evidently it didn’t work very well as a good deal of regulating and letter writing took place between March, 1922 and April, 1923, when a representative of the American LaFrance Company inspected it, and ordered a new one sent out by the factory. A new timing device was ordered by the fire company to come with the siren. When finally set up, everything worked out very well as the same siren and timing device were in use until February, 1955.

In June 1924, the Independent Hook and Ladder Company, purchased a new Ford truck, to be used as a supply car. On this was placed all tools needed to fight grass and woods fires, plus extra hose and other equipment.

In April of 1928 a representative from the American LaFrance Fire Engine Company, was present at a meeting of the Fire Company and The Bore Council to explain the different types of trucks that were in service in rural areas. Considerable thinking and discussion must have taken place after this meeting as the next item on new Fire apparatus was in February, of 1930, when another American LaFrance agent was present at a meeting. No action was taken at this time, but things were getting hot. In March of 1930, the Company recommended to the Council that they purchase a new pumper. A committee of firemen drew up and presented specifications for this pumper to the Bore. Feeling that the new pumper needed a good mate, the Company also appointed a committee to purchase a new Hook & Ladder truck. This committee bought a GMC chassis and asked J.S. Gunther to change the old ladder rack over onto the new chassis. A great deal of work was necessary to convert the old horse drawn vehicle into a then modern motorized piece of equipment. Nevertheless all work and painting was completed by the last of October, when the Morristown parade was held. Mendham ma quite a splash that year with two new fire trucks. It must be noted that the Bore Council purchased a Mack 750 GPM pumper, which was delivered in time for the parade.

In January of 1935, Mr. Edward L. Baird, after 26 years as secretary of the company retired. A gold secretary’s badge was presented to him.

In October of 1936, a committee was appointed for the purpose of raising funds to buy new uniforms. A Turkey Raffle held in November, netted $132.30 toward the fund and from that date on Binge games, raffles, and card games were the order of business till a total of $900.00 was raised, and new uniforms purchased in July of 1938.

In September of 1938, Waiter Gunther reported that he had conditioned the old hand pump and that all that was needed to complete it was a suction hose. The Company moved to purchase a piece of flexible tubing for this purpose. This pump was to be used to pump out cellars and cisterns as requested. It must be noted in passing that this pump was from the original Hook and Ladder truck purchased in 1905. A double acting Piston Pump operated by 4 or 6 men, it was a real man killer, but it sure could pump water.

In April of 1939, the company went on the two platoon system of recording attendance at fires. This was done to enable more firemen to meet the 60% duty required by the state.

At the October Meeting, the first Honorary members were appointed. These were Waiter Rentsch and C. Fred Westin, both of whom had moved out of the Borough.

In February of 1940, a discussion on forming a First Aid Squad was held. No definite action was taken at that time, but a committee was appointed and they were to report back at a later date. In April of that year the committee reported that a meeting had been held at which time 12 men had signified that they would take the standard first aid course. In June, the Fire Department purchased an E&J Resuscitator, at a cost of $453.74, and turned it over to the Squad. In July, regulations governing the Squad were submitted to the Fire Department, accepted by them and became part of the recorded minutes of that meeting. Dr. F. Clyde Bowers, was made Medical Advisor to the squad.

Mr. William W. Cordingly, donated the First Ambulance to the squad. It was a Ford station wagon, and a good deal of work was done on it leveling the floor, building a rack for the resuscitator, and a compartment for splints and other equipment. All of the expense for this work was paid for by Mr. Cordingly. It may not have been the best looking piece of equipment in the world, but it did a lot of work. During the fall and winter of 1940 and 1941, the squad continued drill and give demonstrations going as far as Whippany and Cec Knells, to stir up first aid enthusiasm in the Morristown Red Cross area In October of 1941, a team composed of Lewis, Gunther, Kagan Garabrant and Clark, entered in the State competition at Sussex Avenue Armory in Newark. Getting *91.63%, and being thirteenth from the top didn’t make the boys feel too bad as there were over 60 teams entered many of them old timers in that kind of competition.

In January of 1943, the company ordered a service flag for the Firemen who were in the armed service of our country. This flag was proud hung on the wall of the meeting room, for all to see, and pictures of the men were hung along side the flag.

In April, of that same year, a junior fire company was organized. This consisted of boys in the 7th and 8th grades of the local school. Rules were formulated, and the boys were used to help fight grass and woods fires when the Chief felt that his own manpower was too small to cope with these fires.

Early in 1944, a fund was started for the purchase of a new ambulance for the First Aid Squad. The boys of the Squad really worked on this project and it must be said for all of the community, they worked hard, and well, raising a total of $5,775.90 for which they were rewarded with a Cadillac Ambulance.

In October of 1944, a windshield was installed on the Mack Pumper. Some people seemed to think the Firemen were getting soft. Evidently they had never ridden at 35 miles per hour in rain, snow and sub-freezing temperatures without the aid of a windshield.

In November of 1947, a gift of an OCD pumper was given the department by Mr. Cyril Birch. This was put to work pumping cellars, wells, etc., for the townspeople. It was also available as an auxiliary pumper for fire fighting.

In July of 1948, revised by-laws were offered the company for first reading. It is necessary to keep up with the times even in Fire Departments. The September meeting, of that same year was the first meeting held in the new fire house. This was a project that had held the interest of all the firemen for some time.

In June of 1949, a resolution adopting service stripes for each 5 years of service was passed. Some of our older members may look off balance, slightly because of these stripes, but they have every right to feel proud as the time represented in giving to their community reaches into the hundreds of years.

On June 20, 1950, the First meeting of the Ladies Auxiliary was held. The male gender of the human species has no business attempting a chronology of female doings. Let it be said that in ways unknown to man, she is able to do things termed impossible without batting an eye. Flags, dishes, floor coverings and two-way radio equipment come out of our pockets as if by magic. Who else but woman could accomplish these things. In October, of this same year, the Fire department undertook the job of running the Halloween party for the school children. Here again the help of the Auxiliary made possible a smoothly run, successful event.

In November, the Firemen felt it was time to put a windshield on the old Ladder Truck. By buying a jeep windshield, and enlisting the aid of a local welder and plumber, this was accomplished to the satisfaction of all who drive it.

In February of 1951, a new resuscitator was purchased for the First Aid Squad. This was of course a new design, having breathing apparatus for two people at one time, together with other refinements.

In October of 1951, the Board of Trustees was changed by resolution. The Chief and all active Ex-Chiefs becoming members of this board. This was done to insure the Department of a guiding hand in the auditing of books, laying out of budgets, helping formulate rules as they may be necessary and in general giving of the knowledge they have gained over the years as officers of the Department.

In October of 1952, agitation for a new Fire Truck started. During the next few months the Engineers traveled over the surrounding territory inspecting various Fire Trucks, Apparatus and in general, gathering information pertinent to the needs of Mendham. In June, 1953, specifications for a QUAD were submitted to the Bore Council, together with the recommendation that they, the Bore of Mendham, purchase it. Chief J.T. Lewis, Fire Coordinator for C.D. in Morris County, made arrangements for matching funds from the Government. In July, the Fire Department passed a motion giving the Bore $4,000.00 from its sinking fund toward the purchase of said QUAD.

In November of 1953, the Firemen were called to a fire in the rear of the Lambert Building. It is probable that very few of them knew or realized that the building destroyed that evening was the Shed that was built by Mr. Hoffman, in May of 1906, to house the First Hook and Ladder Truck.

Plans for a 50th Anniversary of the Department were started in 1951 with the appointment of a new truck committee. The interest at the time was for a quad and the Ah rens Fox was the talked of manufacturer. Plans and specifications were drawn up and a trip to Cincinnati was made by a couple of committee members to inspect the kind of shop and material of the Ahrens Fox people. Everything looked fine at the time and a contract was issued for a quad. It soon became apparent that Ahrens Fox was in financial troubles and the contract was passed to a truck builder; the Beck Company. Evidently Beck was not equipped to handle as large a job as we wanted and the finish date was put forward every time we asked them about it. Finally the contract was voided and a new truck committee appointed. This committee called a meeting of the Department on Sunday, June 19 to go over the specifications of a new 750 G.P.M. Oren Pumper which would be available to us before the parade. A general discussion followed the reading of the specs and we found out that the State Rating Bureau would not allow credit for a quad and recommend that we buy a regular pumper anyway. We did our part; signed a contract that would get us the truck but would not hold us to pay for the truck until we had a chance to look it over, drive it, etc. The supplier did his part, delivered the truck at our door at 8:25 p.m. Friday night before the parade, June 25, 1955. We later did our part by accepting the truck and we have had wonderful service from it since. The Ladies Auxiliary also helped by donating a check of $1,100.00 for radios for it. Final Report — that our 50th Anniversary Celebration was an outstanding success is a fact that we may all look back upon with pride and pleasure. We feel that a few facts should be recorded for future reference. Preparation for the celebration started on June 1, 1954 with the appointment of the General Chairman at a regular fire meeting. From that date on, till our celebration on June 25, 1955, there was an activity on the part of each and every member of the Mendham Fire Department such as had not been seen before. The members of the General Committee, in particular, were a busy group. Their names are recorded in our 50th Anniversary Souvenir Book. Our parade and the program following were most successful. It has been determined that some 8,000 persons attended our celebration. Over eighty Fire Departments, Organizations and Bands participated. Over 7500 sandwiches, 50 half kegs of beer, 150 cases of soda, 21 gallons of pickles and two gallons of mustard were served. The Women’s Auxiliary sold 2,000 plastic cups and we sold or gave away 2,000 of our Souvenir and Directory Books. The entire program was radio controlled and all activities proceeded in their proper sequence, with precision, as planned. The trophies presented by us to the parading units and contest winners were beautiful and will be long cherished and kept by those fortunate enough to have won them. Each committee did a wonderful and outstanding job under the leadership of their able Chairmen. The Treasurers Report tells its own story. To all of the Chairmen and to each and every member of the department, the General Chairman again wants to say “Thanks and well done.” Conclusion: It is with a great deal of pride that we turn over, herewith, our 50th Anniversary check, to the amount of Two Thousand, Nine Hundred, Thirty-Seven Dollars and three cents ($2,937.03) our cash balance after all bills and outstanding obligations were paid in full. Our job is done — we ask that the Treasurer and General Chairman, and any other members of the General Committee not previously dismissed, be dismissed and that the 50th Anniversary Celebration and Program be terminated and from henceforth be a part of the history of the Mendham Fire Department. While all the anniversary doings were going on, the town fathers were doing their part by increasing the flow of water to the towns people by having a well drilled and a storage tower erected on Bernardsville Road. People in the southern part of the Borough had been having trouble as the water supply was not sufficient in that area for them. Old piping soon began to show its age by developing leaks.

In February, 1956 Ex-Chief Chauncey (Toby) Guerin came back to Mendham. Toby had moved to Arizona because of asthma. He presented his fathers Chief badge to the Company for the trophy case. Erice Zeliff, one of the charter members of the Hose Company, was at this meeting. It was his first meeting in the new firehouse. In May, the Ladies Auxiliary presented a new Flag & Banner to the Department. The Bylaws Committee, having been busy for some months, presented the revised copies for adoption. At the annual Caucus of the Relief Association held in August, Richard Clark was elected to the Executive Committee of the New Jersey State Firemen’s Association from Morris

County. This was an honor to him and to our Department. We also had a couple of bowling teams in a bowling league at the Peapack alleys. Early in 1956 a committee was appointed to look into the need for a new ladder truck for our town. Luther Clark of the Fire Insurance Rating Office F.I.R.O. was contacted and he gave the committee much help in setting up specifications for the truck. Design and specs were soon written and a contract with N.J. Fire Equipment Company signed. The truck was completed and delivered in May of the following year.

In early 1957 we began equipping our department with radios. Some time was taken up before they could be used, as no license had been applied for at the start of the program. In August, a 1957 Cadillac ambulance was received. Our First Aid Squad were very busy people. There were about 90 first aid calls for the year and they also reported to a total of 29 fires.

In 1958 we continued the purchase of radios and by the end of the year we had all our trucks and the ambulance equipped. Although we had extensive training in extinguishing oil fires with fog, we felt foam would probably be better in large outside, unconfined gasoline or oil spills, so new foam equipment was purchased in June. This was the first of our trucks to be supplied with this type of equipment.

In January of 1959, TOT Finders were purchased to place on houses and windows where there were children and/or invalids. The practice of giving families with children or invalids these decal identifiers continues still today. In February, the Dairy Barn of Frank Bockoven on West Main Street, Brookside caught fire. Our Department was called out to assist the Township companies. It was heartbreaking as eighteen cows were either burned to death or had to be destroyed because they were so badly burned. To avoid interference by non-firemen phone calls when the siren blew, it was decided to install a direct phone line from the siren operator to the firehouse. The first fireman into the firehouse would go directly to the phone, get the call and write it on the call board. At the March meeting, it was decided to ask the Borough Council to move out of the room they were using for Council Meetings and turn it over to the firemen. The firemen had a room about the same size as the Council room for their recreation room. Neither room was large enough for the purpose it was used for but together they would be fine for the firemen. A letter was sent to the Mayor asking for their room. The firemen would do most of the reconstruction work, thus making the cost to the Borough very little, suffice it to say the Council agreed; several of them and the Mayor being firemen. We soon had a nice recreation room. In August, the F.I.R.O. ran a test on our water mains and hydrant pressure. Plenty of hydrants but water volume not quite up to required gallonage. This was soon to be corrected when the new tower was completed.

In June of 1960 a new truck committee was appointed. Kenneth Oppel was appointed Chairman. He and his committee worked hard and finally in March of 1961, the contract was let for a new C85F Mack 750 G.P.M. Pumper. Fire fighting never was an easy job and as time goes on, it becomes more complicated. Where wood and stone or concrete was the main building material, now plastics begin to come into the picture. Our fighters were attending Fire Training School and drills all over the County. The number of man hours given by our volunteers went into the thousands. Parties, picnics, dinners, etc, are their only pay, and the cost of these things comes out of their own pockets. In the early 1960’s a regular training program was set up at the schools and at the firehouse during Fire Prevention Week. The idea being that if the school children were given an interesting program they would take it home to their parents. No one wants a fire in their own home so pamphlets were distributed to all the children to take home. The idea worked. Children with a match burning proclivity have seen what can happen and the parents have told us how the program has helped i n most cases of that kind. Also, the number of grass fires has decreased and the parents have also been more careful, example-very few furniture fires.

In October of 1961 we decided to dress up our Chief a little so a motion to supply the Chief with a white hat was passed. Each Chief taking office comes in with ideas of how we can better our Department, so when Harold Traudt came in as Chief in 1962, he and his officers set up some new rules on servicing the equipment, engine room and training. The Engineers, under a different officer each month, have their duties spelled out for them. The plan has generally worked very well.

In February, 1962 we held a wet down for the new Mack Pumper. Some twenty different fi re companies were represented as this was one of the newest pieces of equipment in this area. Updating of By-Laws continues every couple of years to keep them up-to-date. Our annual Halloween Party for the school children goes on but it is becoming something of a burden as the number of children involved is becoming to large to handle. After some troubles with the siren at the end of Marshall Terrace, in March, 1963 that required updating of the wiring and relay equipment, it was decided that the daily test should be changed from noon to 5:00 p.m. daily except Sundays. Mendham is an old town. Many of the buildings in town are of pre-revolutionary construction and it is the responsibility of the local fire department to keep them from burning down. Updating of the water department, cleaning of most of the original mains, installing new mains i n some places and connecting all dead ends into a complete grid, increased our capability to get water where it might be very necessary. A special drill was held in the center of town in August of 1963 to try out coverage of some landmark buildings. With the help of Mendham Township, we hooked up at three different hydrants; one on East Main Street, one on West Main Street and one on Mountain Avenue. The drill was a success and the column of water quite sufficient. Our Ladies Auxiliary always of help, donated money in December for some new trophy cases in the meeting room. At our February 24, 1964 meeting, Chief Warden Raymond Marsh was presented with an Ex-Chief Wardens Badge. This year Ray completed 46 years of service to his town as an active fireman. Like every budget, ours keeps creeping up. 1963 budget was $5,400. This years is up to $5,500.00 for the town and our own company budget increased also.

1 965 started out as a year of changes. The off ice of Chief E n g i nee r was abolished, “Engineers of the Month” took its place and one of the elected officers was responsible for the engineers each month. Our stewards duties were revised eliminating the trucks and their equipment from his duties. In February, our training program was advanced by the purchase of a Bell & Howell, 16 M.M. projector and screen. In March, a committee to look into the purchase of a new ambulance was appointed. In April, Balbacks Hill went off again, this is the toughest place to fight grass and brush fires in town as the wind always blows here. Help was sent from Schiff Scout Reservation as well as from the Sisters of Christian Charity. Brush and leaf filled woods to the south, leaves and grass to the east make for fast work when the wind is from the northwest. Ralston and Brookside helped out at this one also. May, saw some automatic alarm systems installed in the firehouse to cover Foodtown and some other big buildings. We advance by degrees in our fire fighting abilities. We also think about the health of our volunteers. The Lung Bill signed by Governor Hughs set us all up for chest x-rays and our department participated fully in the program. On J u ly 3rd, the First Aid Squad held its 25th Anniversary dinner. October was a busy month, the ambulance committee reported the new ambulance (a Chevrolet chassis with a Hat Alexander Body) was in service and the bill of sale turned over to the Borough Council. A check for $9,204.00 from the ambulance sinking fund paid for this ambulance with “no tax” dollars involved. Jacob T. Lewis of our department was elected the sixth President of the State Chief’s Association. Changes in the By-Laws of that organization set the presidents off ice up for a two year term and set things up for an equal distribution of state areas for the officers.

At the January, 1966 meeting, a committee of the Officers was appointed by motion for getting new service stripes. The stripes turned out to be solid bar pins and worked out very well. The state government has passed a sales tax and our department has applied for an exemption. It was granted. In July, a request for the fire department to burn the old Peter Clemente Cow Barn, Creamery and Feed Shed came from the Spagna Equipment Company. A permit was obtained by them and the Mendham Township Fire Department was asked to assist us as a drill. Water to keep any stray fires down was pumped from the swimming pool. Things worked out very well and a good relay drill was worked in. This was almost the end of Mendham’s Farm Era as the Bockoven Property had been sub-divided some time before. A new film of firemen and their families were taken during August. This film is to augment our present one and should be kept updated. In September, a general discussion on the condition of the Mack Engine took place. We felt the engine should be repaired by the Mack Truck Company as the noise had been in the engine from the first day we had it. For many years the fire department had held a Halloween Party for the school children. Contributions were solicited from the citizens, businesses, etc. Each year the size of the party increased, some township children were brought in and children too old for our type of party came. This year the crowd was too large to get in the two floors of the firehouse and the cost was over the donations. There were about 600 children at the party and we had no place to handle a crowd of that kind. At the December meeting it was decided to discontinue the Halloween party.

At the meeting of February 27, 1967, it was decided that, though Waiter Rentsch was an honorary member, his service to the Fire Department and First Aid Squad was so valuable that he should be granted service bars for his time, starting with the time he first joined the Department. In April of 1967, Mendham lost one of its most outstanding citizens, Dr. F. Clyde Bowers. Known throughout the entire western end of Morris County as Doc, his care and treatment went far beyond mere pills. He treated not only the aches and pains of the body but of the mind and soul as well. He was elected Mayor of the town; backed up the Fire Department and First Aid Squad and used them as his aides when ever he could. He had little time for sleep and saw to it that his councilmen and every one he could get, got as little as he did keeping them busy doing things for his town and the young people of the area. Doc was not a big man in physical size but his psyche was greater than any other man it has been my pleasure to know. His foresight and drive gave to Mendham a town that is the envy of others around.

In April we received a request for a badge from our Fire Department, from Ireland. This was to add to a collection of a man there, that had visited us here; we sent h i m one. In May, the first reading of the Proposed Changes to the By-laws were read. This was a regular up-date, to our trying to keep abreast of the times. We had discussed the need of a power wagon to be used as a Brush Truck for some time so Foreman Shank appointed a committee to look into and come up with some recommendations for one. In August, three bids were received and the committee recommended the purchase from Freeman Motors of a 3/, ton, Flair Side, 4 wheel drive, Ford pick-up, price $3480.00. The committee requested that they be allowed to equip this truck to their discussed design for a total cost not to exceed $6000.00. It was regularly moved, seconded and passed that the request be granted. In May, Charles P. Bretherton passed on. Charles was the last of the charter members of our Department, 62 years of service for his community. In October, our long awaited F.C.C. License for our Base Station arrived; call letters were KD3808. At the meeting of the Trustees on October 30th, it was proposed to give all the members of our department that have served for 25 years, a silver watch. After some discussion, a motion was presented and seconded that this be done; a committee was appointed to report back in November. At the November meeting the committee reported with the suggestion that an Accutron watch be presented to the members at the Annual Dinner and each year there after to all those that reach the 25 year goal. To date, we have given out 30 watches, we do grow older and I hope wiser. In December a First Aid Directors badge was sent to the Newark Firemen’s Museum. This made two of our badges registered there.

In January of 1968, an airplane crash landed on the Thomas Estate. Two men were killed and the plane was demolished with gasoline spilled all over. The firemen had their hands full with sightseers and cigarettes to keep things from blowing sky high. On March 15, 1967 over 100 members of the Mendham Fire Department and their wives attended a testimonial dinner for Raymond Marsh, one of its members for the past forty-nine years. Raymond’s wife, Elsie, feted along with her husband. After a very delicious dinner, Chief Jacob T. Lewis, Master of Ceremonies, called the group to attention pointing out that it wasn’t just a “pot luck” supper as originally announced but that it was a testimonial dinner for one of its best loved and outstanding members. It was pointed out that one charter member, Charles Bretherton, is still alive but that unfortunately he could not be present on this occasion. The occasion was to honor the second oldest living member in the point of service. Mr. Marsh, who still serves in an active capacity, was born on Hardscrabble Road between Mendham Borough and Bernardsville on 29 June 1889. In 1910 a local girl, Elsie Hill, became his wife. While raising their family, Mr. Marsh continued to serve in the Fire Department and as part of the testimonial pictures were shown of the apparatus and the men who made up the Fire Company when Mr. Marsh first joined in 1918. The company was founded in 1905. Other pictures of his activities as a member of the Department were shown as were scenes in and about the Borough of Mendham when the grass grew on Main Street and when Mountain Avenue was a depressed, narrow dirt road over-shadowed by telephone poles. During his service in the Department Mr. Marsh served under 26 different Fire Chiefs many of whom were shown in a group picture. It was pointed out that while Ray Marsh was never a Chief always too busy — that he has long held some of the Departments highest and most respected positions. For many years he had headed the Grave Decorating Committee that places the flags on Memorial Day on the 50 members who rest in the cemeteries in and around the Borough of Mendham. He has long been and is the President of Mendham Firemen’s Relief Association. He served for years as Chief Warden, and was unanimously elected by the entire Fire Company to wear Officer’s gold for life and to serve as a Trustee. He was unanimously elected and still serves as President of the Trustees of the Mendham Fire Department. It was pointed out that Mr. Marsh has been a living symbol of devotion and service to his Department and that he has inspired every man who has been privileged to serve with him and at this point the entire assemblage arose and sang “For He Is A Jolly Good Fellow.” The entire affair was a complete surprise to Mr. Marsh although Mrs. Marsh had to be let in on the secret before hand i n order to secure certain needed information and to make sure that M r. Marsh was on hand for the occasion — he had been ill. He was presented with his original Badge #115 which somehow had been secured by his fellow members and which had been gold plated so that it would match the gold on his uniform. He was also presented with a new badge on which was inscribed not only his name but the numeral 1 indicating Badge #1. Awed by these presentations he became speechless when he was presented with a 25″ screen RCA color television as a gift from the members of the Mendham Fire Department. The Women’s Auxiliary which handled the dinner part of the program also presented Mr. Marsh with a very excellent portable radio. Of course, Mrs. Marsh participated in all activities and was the recipient of a beautiful corsage. The overall program was chaired by Fred Crammer and all members of the Department participated in various phases of activity under the direction of Chief John M. O’Keefe.

In January of 1969 a color coding system was incorporated for the equipment on each truck. Trucks started coming back to the firehouse with their own equipment on them, it helped. On April 3rd, Bernardsville called us to give them a hand at Stonemere, a rest home for senior citizens, that was on fire and the closest water was a pond about three quarters of a mile away. There was no loss of life but the home was leveled. We had purchased a Float-A-Dock hard suction tip for just such drafting. The water was very deep near the edge of the pond and the pump operator and his assistant both got a good dunking before they were through. It may have been a bit early for their annual bath but they got one right up to their necks. At the July meeting it was announced that bids for the firehouse extension had been let — low bid was $19,500.00 which was accepted. At the September meeting it was announced that the brush truck was substantially complete and would be wet down and on display for the public, et al. Th is truck was then donated to the town by the firemen. There were no tax dollars involved by our

citizens. In November we raffled off a TV and with the profit, we ordered a new color TV and a full size, full slate pool table. On December 20th, Santa Claus was brought to the Phoenix House for the Junior Women’s Club by First Assistant Barnes. This was the tenth year that we have brought Santa to town.

At the March, 1970 meeting, a letter from the Firemen’s Association stating that prior to February 14, 1970 an applicant over the age of thirty five years was ineligible for membership in the Relief Association. After that date, the age I i mit was extended to the forty-first birthday and older men were eligible for full benefits. In March the building extension had been completed and wall to dance floor carpeting had been put down. Ward Sands recommended three more tables and eighteen captain chairs be purchased to fill up the corners. This was done and this furniture is the envy of all visiting firemen. After the purchase and installation of the new TV, a sound system was installed under the direction of fireman Ed Snyder. We now have piped music or voice throughout the entire second floor of the firehouse. In September there were again some changes in the By-Laws. One of the major changes was in promotion of our Line Officers from Chief Engineer to Chief of the Department and his Assistants from Foreman to Deputy Chief and Assistant Chiefs. If they do the job of Chiefs, they are entitled to the title. It was necessary that the Ordinance creating the Fire Department be changed to make this official so the Mayor and the Council were petitioned to make the necessary changes in it. Again, thank goodness we have Town Fathers that are willing to co-operate with the citizenry. In

September at the annual Morris County Caucus of the Relief Association, Richard Clark was elected to the Board of Managers of the New Jersey Firemen’s Home. Dick is sure a busy guy. All Fire Departments, paid and volunteer have problems with man power. Volunteers need all the help they can get, regular members and auxiliaries. These people need to be covered by insurance as well as all the other things firemen need; turn out gear, badges, etc. They need all the encouragement we can give them. They are and can be a great help. In October we lost another good man. Waiter Rockefeller joined the Department in 1920. He was elected an officer in the Department in 1930 and appointed Chief in 1936. He was a member of the Pastime Club and served as its President; a member of the Planning Board, a member of the Library Board; a member of the Borough Council and elected Mayor of the Borough. Through it all, he remained a fireman whose guidance and leadership was a great benefit to the department’s growth and advancement. In December, a Plectron System was installed in the firehouse with all its tone decoders. Alarms for municipal buildings, Foodtown and some churches were also installed. This was a great improvement over our old system. The bill for them came to over $9000.00. At this meeting officers are elected for the following year and we list them now because of the new titles. The Chief, William Shank, is recommended for appointment to the Borough Council; Deputy Chief John J. Grassi; 1st Assistant Chief Earl G. Barnes, Jr.; 2nd Assistant Chief Donald E. Smith; Secretary William F. Wertz; Treasurer Vernon Garabrant; First Aid Director C. David Crotsley.

In January, 1971 a system of rotating the new members from truck to truck, three months on each one, was started. This was done as part of their training and to acquaint them with the equipment on each one and the operation not only of the equipment but also the truck. In June, Donald Smith was made the Chairman of the New Truck Committee. This will be to replace the present ladder truck and the Oren pump. In July, many of the old pictures around the firehouse were reframed and cleaned, some of them are in the program book. Also during July, the firehouse and the ambulance were wet down together — quite a bash.

Officers for the year (1972) were John J. Grassi, Chief; Deputy Chief, Earl G. Barnes, Jr.; Ist Assistant Chief, Charles E. Watkins; 2nd Assistant Chief, Donald E. Smith. Secretary and Treasurer were the same as last year and the First Aid Director was Richard W. Apgar. It was felt that 2nd Assistant Chief Smith would have enough to do as Assistant Chief without being Chairman of the Truck Committee so C. David Crotsley was appointed to take the chairmanship of that committee. Specifications were drawn up and the committee started their rounds to look at new pumps to see what kind of new gadgets they wanted. The town officials wanted to have a Labor Day celebration so they asked the Fire Department to set up the parade. Of course, some one else was chairman and this created something of a problem, as the chairman did not know much about setting up a parade. He found out a lot before it was all over but it worked out ok. In October a committee was appointed to look into new uniforms, these were to be summer wear. All members on record as of January i, 1973 were to get them paid for and all ex-chiefs were to get white hats. In November the Mayor and Council were asked to change the original ordinance to show the new age limits, 18 years to 41 years. At the December meeting the following men were elected to officer rank: John J. Grassi recommended to Council as the Chief of the Department. Earl Barnes, Jr., elected as Deputy Chief; Charles Watkins elected as 1st Assistant Chief; Donald Smith elected as 2nd Assistant Chief; William Wertz elected Secretary and Vernon Garabrant elected Treasurer.

In February 1972 a resolution proposing the creation of a Junior Fireman Squad was presented. As it was presented it became a part of our by-laws and therefore had to be passed on first reading. In March it was presented for second reading and passage. In April Membership Committee Chairman Garabrant reported application as Junior Fireman of Thomas Porter, Scott Welsh and Douglas Gesell. During the month a covered dish testimonial dinner was tendered to Vernon Garabrant for his fifty years as a volunteer fireman of our Department. A report on the new truck was made by Chairman Crotsley. It will be a quad type with 1000 G.P.M., 142 feet of ladders; 1500 feet of 2 inch hose; 400 feet of 1 inch hose and high pressure to 600 Ibs.

In January, 1973 all the Junior members having turned 1 8 years of age were sworn in as regular members of the Department. In October the new fire truck was delivered. It was in time for the Morristown Parade. Although as usual, it is not quite completed, it is in service and has been turned over to the Fire Department. At the November meeting the by-laws again were added to, this time to ask that the Borough budget be enlarged to include new uniforms for all the present firemen and those that join from now on. At the December meeting the following officers were elected: Deputy Chief Charles Watkins; 1st Assistant Chief Donald Smith; 2nd Assistant Chief Ed Tully; Secretary William Wertz; Treasurer Vernon Garabrant. Earl G. Barnes, Jr. was recommended to Mayor and Council as Chief of the Department.

In January 1974 a new radio was installed in truck 183. It can scan 8 frequencies and transmit on two. Also the Wardens are to be equipped with citizens band radios and a license has been applied for. Richard J. Clark was elected to be the Fireman of the Year from our Department at the F & M Shaffer Volunteer of the Year Award Banquet. In February Chief Barnes recommended that Deputy Chief Watkins appoint a Planning Committee to look ahead into the needs of the Fire Department for the next ten years. The main objective will be a new Firehouse, new truck and equipment for our department. Deputy Chief Watkins will chair this committee. In November of 1974 the Mendham Independent Hook & Ladder Company hired an attorney to defend them in the Civil Rights Action filed by a local woman who charged that her civil rights had been violated because she had been advised that she must join the Fire Department before she could become a member of the Mendham First Aid Squad. She must first join the Independent Hook & Ladder Company, be recommended to Mendham Hose Company and then join the First Aid & Rescue Squad; all are units of the Mendham Fire Department. She concluded that “it was beyond her capabilities to serve in the Fire

Department”, also a violation of her civil rights to force her to go be a firewoman before she is eligible for the First Aid Squad. This person has had the opportunity to join the Mendham Township First Aid Squad, an independent organization, and is currently a member of that squad. The Chief made presentations of silver charms to the Ladies Auxiliary for their 25th Anniversary at the May meeting. In September 1974 our planning committee met with the Council committee and presented the fire departments suggested plans for a new firehouse. The Council agreed. Our recommendations were sound and the necessary action to set aside the property would be taken and funds put in the upcoming town budget so that the new building might become a reality in the next few years. In November the by-laws got another change, this time to Article 10, Section 13. The proposal was to give life members of the N.J. State Firemen’s Association an assist in funds if they wanted to attend the Annual Convention of that Association. It passed on first reading and became a part of the by-laws at the December meeting.

The F.I.R.O. is looking at our Oren. It is twenty years old and should soon be retired. It has had a pump test and came through with flying colors. A committee to investigate the replacement of our old Metro truck “185″ came up with a recommendation we bid on a replacement that may possibly be purchased for $2500.00. In August of 1975 a drill was called for the center of Mendham. Called for mutual aid were pumpers, Ralston, Brookside, Chester, Bernardsville and Morristown with their snorkel. The call went out at 7:03 p.m. to all units. Arrival time was Mendham 7:05 p.m., Brookside 7:17 p.m., Ralston 7:16 p.m., Chester

7:21 p.m., Morristown 7:24 p.m., Bernardsville 7:34 p.m. The water tower “snorkel” was in place and up at 7:30 p.m. It had water at 7:34 p.m. It was being supplied by 3 trucks: Ralston, Mendham, Brookside. The “snorkel” was putting out about 700 G.P.M. at this time. Time was very, very, good. Other units could have had hand lines in operation by 7:15 p.m. down and re-set to feed snorkel. Trucks used; Bernardsville, Brookside, and Chester. Water up tower this time 985 to 1000 G.P.M. Mendham, still using hand lines and Ralston hooked to other hydrant could have used hand lines if necessary. Water from the snorkel was delivered above all electric lines at close to 1000 G.P.M. with ample left for hand lines. Our supply at the center of town is adequate for any emergency. Our mutual aid is only minutes away and our fire fighters and mutual aid are well trained. Mendham is a lucky town to have all this protection. In August our truck committee for a new “185″ got the good word: Their bid of $2,250.00 was accepted. Many other bidders were at the sale but when they learned that Mendham Fire Department had a bid in they all refrained from bidding. Probable sale price $5500.00. Again we were lucky. The Fire Department voted $4000.00 to rebuild the interior of the van for our purposes and refinish the outside. Again, no tax dollars. A bill was presented to the State Senate by Frank Dodd, “D” Essex to turn all the State Association funds into the State General fund and have a state committee control those funds. The Burial Fund at that time was $1,400.00. This was just another grab by big government and it didn’t set very well with the Volunteer Firemen. The State Senate soon found out that it is pretty hard to take something away from 50,000 firemen. New officers were elected at the December meeting, they were: Charles E. Watkins recommended to Council as Chief of the Department; Donald E. Smith as Deputy Chief; Edward L. Tully as First Assistant Chief; and C. David Crotsley as Second Assistant Chief; Secretary Richard G. Kraft; Robert O. Snedaker Treasurer and First Aid Director Joseph J. Murphy.

At the January 1976 meeting, John Grassi, chairman of the committee to get the new service truck ready for use, reported that the unit was virtually completed. Some of the items were: Hurst tool (jaws of life), air chisel, power saw, generator and a cascade system capable of filling twenty-eight air tanks for masks. There are many other smaller items and the unit dubbed 185 (its radio number) is an excellent addition to our department. Note old ‘185′ venerable in its dotage 105,000 miles was sold for $626.00. That was more than we paid for it. The new’185′ is a much larger unit and its entire cost was $5,798.43. The budget for this unit was $6000.00. In May a new truck committee was appointed. This truck will replace the Oren as it will be about 25 years old by the time we can get a new one. At the June meeting First Assistant Chief Tully reported that the gongs had been mounted by the front door of the firehouse. The large locomotive tire was one of the original tires that had been used as a gong to alert the firemen before there was a church bell system and before the electric siren was installed in 1922. This tire was hung by the East end of what is now the Sunoco gas station. It was at that time the Freeman Ford Agency. It isn’t our business to train fire fighters for all the world but Bill Betz (on leave from our department for college) received congratulations from our Chief. It seems he helped his college on their Fire Safety program and said college sent a letter to our Chief commending him, hurrah for training schools and training programs. Our Public Relations man is taking lots of pictures. They are in albums and help preserve happenings. We have our 75th Anniversary coming up in 1980 and a committee has been appointed to work on it. John J. Grassi is General Chairman. In October a poster contest was run for the school children, grades 1 through 8 participating. The winner’s names and posters were submitted to the State Wide Contest. The local contest was sponsored by the Fire Department as a Fire Prevention demonstration. John Grassi reported that a car raffle had been held; 600 tickets were sold at $50.00 each. The money is to be used for the 75th Anniversary parade and celebration. New officers were: recommended to Mayor and Council as Chief of the Department, Donald E. Smith; elected as Deputy Chief Edward L. Tully; elected as First Assistant Chief C. David Crotsley; elected as Second Assistant Chief Robert D. Raymond; elected Secretary Richard G. Kraft and Treasurer William F. Wertz.

At our January 1977 meeting Mr. Gordon Tasker, a representative of the 200 Club, spoke to us on the purpose of the Club. It is a very wonderful thing as it is set up to aid the families of firemen or policemen in emergencies following accidental death of firemen or policemen. Cyril (Joe) Lounsbury has been selected as our Fireman of the Year, Joe will complete his 40th year as a member of the Department in November of this year. At the May Council meeting our request for a new firehouse was presented. Some specifications and the reasons for the new building were presented and the request that an architect be hired. The Council will consider our wants and needs and let us know. The bid has been chosen for the new fire truck and the chassis ordered. The architect, Mr. George Back, has been selected for the new firehouse and a lot of the initial work done. The Council passed a resolution on the bond for the firehouse.

At the January 1979 meeting Robert Raymond resigned as Second Assistant Chief. Joseph E. Eible was elected Second Assistant Chief. A new map of the water system, roads, hydrants, etc. was put up in the firehouse. As the town grows, so does the need for information on streets, etc. grow. Our town employees real ize this and keep us abreast of things. Early in the year the 75th Anniversary Committee Chairman reported on the progress of the committee. As all firemen know, these things take a lot of planning parade routes, trophies, mug and glasses, plaques and all the various sub-committees doings, its no small deal. The main thing is to see it grow and I am sure it will be a big bash for Mendham Junior Firemen were on the minds of us all. There are nine young men, some sons of firemen, that are interested and some others that are not sons of firemen that are also interested. Some of them were inducted in July and others followed. We have a very nice group of young men now and room for more. In September we had the ground breaking for the new firehouse. With any luck we may be in it for our 75th Anniversary. In November a testimonial dinner was given Dick Clark. It was a complete success as neither Dick or his wife new about it before hand. It was a success in every way and sure was appreciated by the Clark’s. The new ambulance was delivered in December. It sure has room in it. New officers were elected for the coming year. Recommendation to Mayor and Council of Edward L. Tully as Chief of the Department. Deputy Chief C. David Crotsley, First Assistant Chief Joseph E. Eible, Second Assistant Chief Edward T. Finlay. At our December meeting the new truck committee reported the truck was nearly finished and should be delivered in March or April. March 28, 1980 the new truck is in. Cat-Diesel, automatic transmission, 1000 G.P.M. pump, all pump dials and controls midship. Excellent. Pump operator can see all around and on both sides of the truck. All we need now is the place to store it. The firehouse will be finished by June so we will be Ok. It is ready now for the steel for the roof.

Through its years of service, the Fire Department has been fortunate in having had the best in training and advice. Its continued success will be assured so long as its members remember that theirs is a service not only to themselves but also to others.