About Us
Mission Statement
Our department is made up of nearly 60 individual members, but together we make one team. Teamwork is a vital part of the fire service. Pride, dedication and a commitment to excellence are as well. The bond firefighters share is like no other; putting your life in the hands of another, and having one put their life in your hands. As many differences we may have, when the bell rings we are all equal and our differences vanish. We all work to achieve a common goal; to save life, put out the fire and protect property. We are not heroes; we are doing our job.
History of the West Caldwell Volunteer Fire Department
The Borough of West Caldwell was incorporated and received its charter as a borough on February 24, 1904. Although a fire department had been suggested from time to time, it was about eight years thereafter that a group of citizens held informal meetings and decided that protection against fire was needed on an organized basis.
According to the minute book of the fire department, the first official organization meeting was held on July 19, 1912. At this meeting, officers were elected and a committee was appointed to have the organization incorporated. Over the next week or two, members were accepted to the organization. The committee for incorporation reported that there would be a fee of $6.00 and ten members would have to sign the incorporation papers to complete the process.
The fire department was incorporated on August 5, 1912. During the latter part of 1912, a committee was appointed to confer with the borough council regarding the purchase of fire equipment. With that underway, efforts were turned toward the purchase of property for a firehouse. In May of 1913, negotiations were completed with Mr. Lassen for the purchase of a lot on Bloomfield Avenue and a firehouse was erected. Today, The West Essex Electrical Supply Company occupies this building.
In 1913, a horse drawn wagon was purchased from Chatham at a cost of $400. At this time, the borough authorized the payment of $5.00 to the first person to arrive at the firehouse with a team of horses to draw the wagon in the event of a fire.
Need for some means of sounding a fire alarm had been recognized for a long time and on December 3, 1914, it was reported that the borough purchased and installed five iron tires (or steel rings) at various locations. The rings were supported between posts and were hammered upon to sound the alarm. The rings were eventually replaced with an electric siren. As the borough continued to grow and the police service was established on a 24-hour basis, the controls were relocated to police headquarters. Today, four air raid sirens, which were installed during WWII, are still used for the alarm system.
At a meeting held on July 1, 1915, it was agreed upon to petition the Borough Council for an “automobile fire apparatus.” As near as can be determined, in 1917 the Borough appropriated approximately $4200 to motorize the department. Our present firehouse had to be remodeled to accommodate the motorized unit. As West Caldwell rapidly changed from a rural to an urban community, it became necessary to purchase another piece of apparatus around 1950. And then again, in the 1960’s with the influx of industry, business and new homes, it became necessary to purchase more.
The days of horse drawn wagons and striking steel rings for the alarm to sound are long gone, but will never be forgotten. This is the history of our department. These are the roots that make our existence possible today. You now join the West Caldwell Volunteer Fire Department to keep this Great American Tradition alive!
Today, you are the future of this department; tomorrow you will make history.