The Newark star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1909, 1909-06-11
DEPARTMENT,
Il2 YEARS old, HAS
ENvIlBLE RECORD
Exempts' Association, Started
Fifty Years Ago, to Have
Celebration Monday.
WAS STARTED WITH
SMALL HAND ENGINE
Paid Department Established in
1889 and Present Telegraph
System in 1907.

On the eve of the celebration of
the iftieth anniversary of the Newark
Exempt Firemen's Association, which
will take place on Monday, the follow
ing statistical history of the Newark
fire department since it was organized
in 1877. through the liz years. will be
of interest.
l7s1-January 10. call issued for meeting
to consult Oh purchase OF a fire engine ard
formation Of W tiie companies January
III, the meeting was held aud many sub
scribed. On January rs the eva nre de-
partment was organized ny the formation of
one fire company. A small nand-engine was
purchased.
lsl5-Ihe second fire company was formed
and hose introduced.
lol92Ine tnifd nre company was formed.
ls5U-35-Ihe iouftn anu IIftn companies
were formed between these years.
loio-At the close OF this } cal there were
seven companies in service.
1S5i-On June IL tine volunteer force was
abolished and a parity paid nre department.
took its place.
1S6O-rhere were thirteen companies In
service. steam FIRE engines were introduced,
two being purchased, and horses were pro-
cured to draw them to nres. 1t has been
stated that these were the nrst horse
drawn hre appliances IN the United states
or elsewhere.
lsl0-The electric fire alarm signal sys-
tenn was Installed.
i8T7-The first relief valve was placed
on an engine Of the department.
1879-1she Salvage Corps was organized
in June. The corps has an automobile
wagon, one regular and one reserve wagon,
six horses and a crew of fourteen men.
Is well equipped and efficient. 1t is sup
ported by the ire insurance companies.
1~SS-Swinging harness Introduced. and a
set used by Hook and Ladder Company,
No. l, then on Broad street.
1SS1-Swinging harness supplied to the
1886-The Board OF Fire Commissioners
was formed, consisting of two Republicans
and two Democrats, appointed by the
Mayor for four years.
lsS7-Hose wagons were introduced to
replace the hose reels, and chemical en-
gines added to the department.
Paid Department In 1880.
lSSe-The full-paid department was es
tablished, all officers and men giving their
full time to the work of are-ighting.
1S94-A modern central-office fire alarm
system placed In service, replacing the
automatic one In use since 1870. Combina-
introduced.
19-Three-horse bitches adopted. steam
engines, hook and ladder trucks and water
towers are thus equipped.
1903-The water tower was purchased and
placed In service.
1so5-The high.pressure water supply
completed and placed in service. Water
can be had in large quantities at a pres
sure of 157 pounds, without the use Of
pumps or engines.
erected and occupied. The self-propelled
steam engine was placed in service.
1so7-A new central office system for the
floor of the City Hall, was placed in
service In November of this year at a total
cost Of $4,000, and pronounced by ex-
office In the world. The operating room
is equipped with six ten-circuit alarm box
registers. one ten-circuit small bell regis
ter and one ten-circult large gong regis
ter; one four plate, three-dial transmitter
for sending alarms to fire stations: one
small. bell t~ransmitter; one automatic line
tester; one 100 connection telephone ex-
change, and the necessary apparatus for
the testing of the wires and batteries.
During 1907 the department responded to
over 1900 alarms of all kinds; S5 were
first alarms, 10 were second alarms
2 We're third alarms, 6 were .spe-
eial calls and the remainder were still
tiers or from the various fire stations.
The fremen in 1907 answered the largest
number of calls In the HISTORY of the de-
partment, but at no time was more than
one-half of the total force on active duty.
At a meeting attended by fifty ex-
ernpt fremen, December II, 1857, the
Newark Association of Exempt Fire.
men was organized. The following
names appeared on the roster of the
founders.
Exempt Associations ounde
Theodore p. Howeli, of the leather
nrm OF Il. +. Howell q Company, Theo-
dore Macknet, head of the firm of
Macknet & Doremus, n at one time
president of the Mutual Benefit Life
Insurance Company; Thomas w. Daw-
son, of the leather firm of T. w. Daw-
son & Company; Jonathan Nichols,
manufactures N architect; Silas Mer<
chant, banker and insurance PRESIDENT;
Horace J. Pointer, Mayor of the city;
John H. Landell, merchant; William
Plume, John Durham, Jonathan
Meeker. Jacob w. Ward, John r.
Crockett. Joseph L. Miller, James w.
Tichenor, Sylvester Macknet. David J.
Garfield, Henry G.. Darcy.
The next meeting of the association
rs additional members were added to
the roll. At this meeting it was decided
to purchase a steam fire engine out of
the funds of the association.
The association has in its possession