By Asher M. Plotkin
The first fire company was organized in Eatontown on June 15, 1881, and was known as "The Perseverance Steam Fire Engine Company No. 1" It was located on West Street. There are no surviving members of this original fire company; but many stories have passed down through the years regarding the hardships, almost unbelievable today, these men had to face in the performance of their duties.
The first piece of firefighting apparatus was a hand pump manned by four men. Then the famous "Old Persevere" steamer was purchased and considered one of the most powerful pumps in the state.
At the time of the big fire in Red Bank, the men from Perseverance Company were called for assistance. Unable to obtain the services of a team of horses, the men from Perseverance Company hand pulled the steamer all the way to Red Bank. Upon arrival they were directed to the docks along the Navesink River and proceeded to draft water. During the fire, the tremendous weight of the steamer started to break through the dock planking. The quick thinking action of William Algor saved Eatontown's steamer. By grabbing one of the wheels and picking it up, the other firemen were able to replace planking under the steamer. After the fire was over, the men from Perseverance Company again could not obtain the services of a team of horses and had to pull the steamer back to Eatontown by hand.
William Algor represents the dedication that these men had when it came to firefighting in Eatontown. He was the town's blacksmith, working very long, hard hours to support himself and his family. It was said that every night before he went to bed, he lit a small lantern on his back porch and kept his boots and bucket of water there, always ready to answer the call to duty.
During the year 1886, a conflagration in Freehold necessitated their calling upon Eatontown for the use of their steamer engine. With no other means of getting the pumper to Freehold quickly, it was decided to tow it to Red Bank and have it put on a railroad car to be taken to Freehold. This involved tremendous effort on the part of those concerned, but they succeeded in getting it to Freehold to be of assistance. While there are many such stories in the early fire company days well worth repeating , this one alone serves to point out the odds these fireman faced in the performance of their duties.
On February 20, 1888, the Eatontown Hook and Ladder Company was formed. They were located on the west side of Main Street hill. In 1902, this company admitted twelve men for the purpose of manning a new hand pumper. It took three men on each side of the pumper to operate the handle to obtain the pressure for the hose lines. It was a back-breaking job for which these men, the first Junior Fireman in Eatontown, received the title of the "Dirty Dozen".
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On November 11, 1901, the Chemical Engine and Hose Company was formed and located on Lewis Street. At the time, the Township of Eatontown covered the present Borough of Eatontown, Borough of Oceanport, and the Borough of West Long Branch. It was decided that three chemical engines were to be purchased, one for each town.
The chemical engine was the first piece of motorized firefighting equipment that Eatontown had. It was a 1912 Locomobile and was considered a tremendous asset to the community. This Locomobile won many hose laying competitions in its day under the direction of Foreman S. T. Emmons.
It cannot be said that the Eatontown Hook and Ladder Company and the Chemical Engine and Hose Company functioned smoothly during the years that there were two companies in the same town. On the contrary, history tells us that one many occasions feuds developed to the point where the "Ladder Boys" would not even let the "Chemical Boys" have use of their ladders with which to take up their hoses to put out the fire. A few years later the Eatontown Hook and Ladder Company purchased an up-to-date, horse drawn, Seagrave Hook and Ladder Truck.
The present day Eatontown Fire Department was formed on February , 1917 and is known as the Eatontown Engine Truck and Hose Company No. 1 It combined the Eatontown Hook and Ladder with the Chemical Engine and Hose Company. At this time, the firefighting equipment consisted of a combination transport truck, a six-cylinder le-Compte hose truck, and a Seagrave hook and ladder truck.
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Eatontown Engine Truck and Hose Company
with 1917 Locomobile
Some of the disastrous fires which severely struck the heart of Eatontown were as follows: The old Crystal Brook Inn blaze during the 1940's, in which five persons perished during the early morning blaze; including the owner, three members of his family, and a crippled musician.
Another spectacular blaze was the Shoe String Stables located on South Street. No one died, but dozens of riding horses had to be shot. One badly burned horse ran all the way to Red Bank before it was caught and destroyed by the State Police.
Around 1946 the fire company purchased a new American La France pumper and in 1948 they purchased a custom-built GMC pumper.
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Eatontown Engine, Truck & Hose Company No. 1
Main Street & Hwy 35
During the year 1957, the Eatontown Fire Department celebrated their 75th Anniversary. They invited many fire companies and first aid squads throughout the state. This was the largest parade in Eatontown's history. An estimated 5,000 spectators watched as 36 fire companies, 9 first aid squads, 850 fireman, 63 pieces of equipment and many area marching bands paraded past them.
In 1958, the Women's Auxiliary reorganized after a lapse of many years. At this time the Women's Auxiliary started a recruiting drive to boost its membership.
In 1960, Eatontown Fire Department had 85 fireman and 30 Women's Auxiliary members. At this time they had four pieces of firefighting equipment. There was a GMC 750 gpm pumper, an International 750 gpm pumper, an American La France 1000 gpm pumper, and a 1959 Ford utility truck. The Eatontown Fire Department had a very unusual mascot at this time. It was a black cat named "Blackie". Although Blackie never rode the fire apparatus, he did take the place of a dog, temporarily.
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Eatontown Fire House
Dedicated 1964
In the fall of 1963, the fire department was proud to be moved into their new firehouse, located at its present site on Broad Street. In the Spring of 1964, the building was officially dedicated. At this time the building housed four fire trucks, two ambulances, and a utility truck.
In 1965, Eatontown purchased a Mack 750 gpm pumper and then a few years later Eatontown purchased a new fire truck which was a 1968 1000 gpm Mack pumper.
During the next few years, Eatontown was rapidly expanding with many new homes, businesses, and people. The Eatontown Fire Department kept up with the growth, when in 1969, we purchased a GMC utility truck which carried rescue equipment, emergency lighting and Scott air packs.
In 1971, a fire which started in an apartment at the Country Club Apartment complex spread throughout the entire block long building. Firefighters battled the blaze and kept it from spreading to other buildings. The fire also displaced many residents from the building.
Once again times required Eatontown Fire Department to purchase firefighting equipment, when in 1977, Eatontown received twin 1250 Mack pumpers.
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(left to right)
1968 Mack 1000 gal pumper
Twin 1979 1250 gal pumpers
1965 Mack 1000 gal pumper
In the winter of 1978, Eatontown had its largest and most expansive fire in several years. The X.S. Smith Corp. Located on Old Deal Road caught fire. It took many fire companies from the surrounding towns of West Long Branch, Oakhurst, Oceanport, and Shrewsbury to battle the blaze. Lack of water at the fire scene and the extreme cold hampered the firefighting effort.
In 1980, Eatontown was proud to be the owner of a 1980 Pierce LTI 85' ladder tower which enables fireman to reach the tops of larger buildings in Eatontown. Also this truck carries the rescue equipment and breathing apparatus which enables fireman to make rescues in a burning building.
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1980 Pierce LT1
The Eatontown Fire Department celebrated its 100th anniversary on June 21st, 1981. A large parade and celebration, well attended by many area fire departments and first aid squads was viewed by the citizens of Eatontown.
The Borough of Eatontown has continued to grow and along with it, so has the fire Department.
Old firefighting apparatus has been replaced with new and specialized apparatus added as needed. The latest addition was a 1995 Freightliner Fire Rescue truck which carries spare breathing air, confined space, high angle rescue, and extrication equipment. Plans are in the works to replace our two aging 1977 pumpers.
In closing this brief history of the Eatontown Fire Department, we would say that a finer set of men could not be gotten together anywhere. The volunteers of the Eatontown Fire Department meet all the challenges before them and lay their lives on the line to protect the lives of each and every citizen of Eatontown.
