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The Franklinville Volunteer Fire Company #1 of Franklin Township was
organized on February 2, 1922 when a group of men gathered and
decided to establish a fire company for the protection of the community.
During the first meeting, Louis E. Finger was elected the first fire chief
and George Karge as the first president. For its initial financial base, the
organization raised $160 from members dues. The original group
consisted of 29 active members and 30 honorary members. Three
months after the company was formed,
a ladies auxillary began which also
helped raise funds for the company.
In its early years, the company met
in Fingers Hall which was located
across the street from the present fire
house on Delsea Drive.
After securing funds, the company
turned to acquiring fire apparatus. On
April 12, 1922, a company committee
went to New York City to bring back the first truck. The Ajax Engine Co.
in Brooklyn, NY was awarded this contract for a chemical engine at a cost
of $1, 680.00 ($500 for a Model T and $1180 for chemical equipment). W.
T. Jones, a township resident offered to house the apparatus in his barn
and the company accepted his offer.
The company was formally incorporated on April 24, 1922 and joined
the NJ Firemen’s Relief Association in September 1922. The first fire
commissioners in the township were appointed in August 1922.
Shortly thereafter, the company’s trustees were authorized to purchase a
parcel of land from the Samuel McCurdy estate. A committee was
instructed by the company members to proceed immediately on
building a firehouse with the final cost not to exceed $800.
The new building was started in January, 1923. The company held its
first meeting in the new facility in April of that year.
The company's first fire alarm was an iron hoop that was donated from
the Pennsylvania Railroad system. The hoop was placed in the center of
town and sounded whenever there was a fire.
Over the years, the company added new equipment and in October of
1938, the company merged with the Iona Volunteer Fire Co. in Franklin
Township. That company was located in the southern end of the
community along Delsea Drive.
The company again built a new fire house was after WWII (1941) with
the aid of donations and the volunteer help of the members. They also
began purchasing new fire equipment. With a 1922 Ford, and a 1928 Rio
as their fire equipment fleet, the members voted to purchase a brand
new 1941 Ford chassis from Caccese Motors. The 41 Ford would be
equipped with a 500 g.p.m. Hale Pump and be known as Engine No 1.
The firehouse was officially put in service and dedicated in 1947. The
firehouse contained an engine room, social hall with electric kitchen,
recreation room, and a meeting room.
In 1951, the fire company again purchased a truck; although used the
1931 Brockway was a good deal at around $1,000. After selling its 1928
Rio to the Janvier Volunteer Fire Company, the Brockway became Engine
No 2. Members also operated the township's first ambulance which was
owned by the VFW post.
A mortgage on the firehouse was paid off by the members in seven years
with the celebration of a mortgage burning ceremony. Later in the 1960’
s, an engine room was added on the back of the fire house and another
built on the side in the 1972. 1972 also served as the golden anniversary
for the fire company. A celebration was held to honor the 50 years of
Franklinville Fire Co.
Over the years, the demands of the fire service changed. The fire
company assumed more responsibilities when they undertook the
rescue responsibility of Franklin Twp. The first “Jaws of Life” unit was
purchased by the township for auto accidents, and rescue services.
In 1990, the vision changed for the fire company as larger fire apparatus
was becoming too small for the firehouse. Chief DeCesari and the
members planned a new addition that would become the new engine
room.
organized on February 2, 1922 when a group of men gathered and
decided to establish a fire company for the protection of the community.
During the first meeting, Louis E. Finger was elected the first fire chief
and George Karge as the first president. For its initial financial base, the
organization raised $160 from members dues. The original group
consisted of 29 active members and 30 honorary members. Three
months after the company was formed,
a ladies auxillary began which also
helped raise funds for the company.
In its early years, the company met
in Fingers Hall which was located
across the street from the present fire
house on Delsea Drive.
After securing funds, the company
turned to acquiring fire apparatus. On
April 12, 1922, a company committee
went to New York City to bring back the first truck. The Ajax Engine Co.
in Brooklyn, NY was awarded this contract for a chemical engine at a cost
of $1, 680.00 ($500 for a Model T and $1180 for chemical equipment). W.
T. Jones, a township resident offered to house the apparatus in his barn
and the company accepted his offer.
The company was formally incorporated on April 24, 1922 and joined
the NJ Firemen’s Relief Association in September 1922. The first fire
commissioners in the township were appointed in August 1922.
Shortly thereafter, the company’s trustees were authorized to purchase a
parcel of land from the Samuel McCurdy estate. A committee was
instructed by the company members to proceed immediately on
building a firehouse with the final cost not to exceed $800.
The new building was started in January, 1923. The company held its
first meeting in the new facility in April of that year.
The company's first fire alarm was an iron hoop that was donated from
the Pennsylvania Railroad system. The hoop was placed in the center of
town and sounded whenever there was a fire.
Over the years, the company added new equipment and in October of
1938, the company merged with the Iona Volunteer Fire Co. in Franklin
Township. That company was located in the southern end of the
community along Delsea Drive.
The company again built a new fire house was after WWII (1941) with
the aid of donations and the volunteer help of the members. They also
began purchasing new fire equipment. With a 1922 Ford, and a 1928 Rio
as their fire equipment fleet, the members voted to purchase a brand
new 1941 Ford chassis from Caccese Motors. The 41 Ford would be
equipped with a 500 g.p.m. Hale Pump and be known as Engine No 1.
The firehouse was officially put in service and dedicated in 1947. The
firehouse contained an engine room, social hall with electric kitchen,
recreation room, and a meeting room.
In 1951, the fire company again purchased a truck; although used the
1931 Brockway was a good deal at around $1,000. After selling its 1928
Rio to the Janvier Volunteer Fire Company, the Brockway became Engine
No 2. Members also operated the township's first ambulance which was
owned by the VFW post.
A mortgage on the firehouse was paid off by the members in seven years
with the celebration of a mortgage burning ceremony. Later in the 1960’
s, an engine room was added on the back of the fire house and another
built on the side in the 1972. 1972 also served as the golden anniversary
for the fire company. A celebration was held to honor the 50 years of
Franklinville Fire Co.
Over the years, the demands of the fire service changed. The fire
company assumed more responsibilities when they undertook the
rescue responsibility of Franklin Twp. The first “Jaws of Life” unit was
purchased by the township for auto accidents, and rescue services.
In 1990, the vision changed for the fire company as larger fire apparatus
was becoming too small for the firehouse. Chief DeCesari and the
members planned a new addition that would become the new engine
room.
| History of the FVF Patch |
