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LINKS Bridgewater Fire Districts Map
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1928-1945: First Firehouse, Depression, and the War Years The members constructed Martinsville's first firehouse in 1928 on land donated by the Community Club located on Washington Valley Road. In 1934, the firehouse was moved further west on Washington Valley Road in order to accommodate additions to the then two room Martinsville Elementary School. The Martinsville Branch of Somerset County Library is now housed in the building. During this time, the Fire Department bought a 1930 Model A truck chassis and transferred to it all of the equipment from the Model T. Water pressure was still obtained by a chemical means. In a continuing effort to provide good fire protection to the people of the Martinsville Community, the Department signed notes to purchase a Sanford Fire Truck in 1935. The truck had newer and better equipment including a 350-gallon per minute pump with a 300-gallon booster tank. This was the pride of the Department throughout the years of World War II. During the depression and World War II, the Fire Department struggled to make payments on the loan for the Sanford. The Board of Fire Commissioners was chartered by township ordinance with the purpose of establishing a budget that would be approved by taxpayers in order to set the rate for the District Fire Tax. The first Commissioners were Ralph Reill, Grayland Perry, Stan Mynton, and John Papen. They met, were organized, and duly elected, but it took about three years before the people voted in their first budget (about $500).
1960-1973: Development of the Valley and the End of the First Fifty Years |
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last updated 01/12/2008.