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LINKS Bridgewater Fire Districts Map
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1960-1973: Development of the Valley and the End of the First Fifty Years As the valley began to develop, the fire company anticipated the future growth of the western end of the Fire District. In 1960, land was purchased near the intersection of Brown and Washington Valley Roads from Public Service Electric and Gas Company. Construction of Fire Station 2 was begun in 1967 and dedicated in 1969. Chief Wilfred [Wolfie] Frazer chaired the construction committee. As a child, Chief Frazer had witnessed the fiery destruction of much of the town of Martinsville. As the area grew, it became apparent that additional fire trucks were needed. In 1967, Mr. Roque Dameo, a local resident, donated a 1957 Brockway tractor and 5000-gallon trailer. The firefighters spent many hours putting this piece of equipment into service. The tanker was used in areas where there were no fire hydrants which encompassed most of the valley. It became apparent in 1972 that major expenditures would be needed to keep the tanker in operation, so the fire company sold the apparatus. By that time, fire hydrants had been installed in much of the community, especially those at greatest risk. In 1969, a Mack 1000-gallon per minute triple combination diesel pumper with a 1000-gallon booster tank was purchased. This vehicle was sold to Somerset County for training use at the Somerset County Emergency Services Training Academy in 1999. Brush fires plagued the Fire Company particularly during the dry years of the 1960's. In order to provide the volunteers with the necessary equipment to fight brush fires, a four wheel drive Dodge power wagon was purchased in 1970. The truck was converted to a brush truck after the firefighters outfitted it with a 17-gallon per minute pump, a 150-gallon tank and other gear needed to fight fires deep in the woods and on the mountainsides surrounding the valley. The 1944 Chevy was sold in 1969 to a local resident who used it to work on his farm. The Fire Department experienced an equipment crisis in 1969 when both the Ward LaFrance and the new Mack pumper were out of service. The LaFrance truck was not available because it required extensive pump repair work. The new Mack pumper had been involved in an accident returning from a fire call when a newly filled culvert collapsed under the apparatus. The Fire Company learned of an old 1955 Maxim 750-gallon per minute pumper for sale from a fire department for sale in south Jersey and this truck was purchased. The Maxim filled in until both the LaFrance and the Mack were returned to service. After several years of standby duty, the Maxim was taken out of service in 1973 and sold for scrap a year later. Fire Station 1 was completely renovated in the 1960's and early 1970's. A third bay was added upstairs, eliminating the meeting room. Thereafter, meetings were held downstairs. In preparation for the 50th anniversary celebration in 1973, the downstairs meeting area was completely paneled by the firefighters. The Martinsville Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary donated a completely new kitchen. In 1973, the Fire Company celebrated 50 years of dedicated service to the community with a large parade featuring many fire trucks and members from local fire departments and rescue squads as well as municipal governing officials. Well over 1000 people attended the festivities. As the first 50 years of service drew to a close, the 1955 Ward LaFrance was scheduled for replacement. A new fire truck, a 1250-gallon per minute Hahn triple combination diesel pumper with automatic drive and a 1000-gallon booster tank, was ordered in 1973 and received in mid 1974. In December 1973, the Fire Company had to be re-incorporated and the name was changed from the Martinsville Engine Company No. 1 to The Martinsville Volunteer Fire Department. It was felt that this name better described the fire fighting nature of the organization and the volunteer firefighters who served the community by protecting it and its residents from fire. |
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last updated 01/12/2008.