Passaic Fire Department's History
My name is Ernest Rodrigues III, I am a career firefighter in the City of
Passaic, NJ and also the Department's historian and photographer.
My pride and dedication to this department is due in part from my late father, Ernest Rodrigues, Jr who was Chief of the Passaic Auxiliary Fire Department. He was the past historian and photographer and many pictures from his collection still hang in Fire Headquarters and the Westside Fire Station.
By being a part of this website, I hope to share my interest for firefighting and the department's history with other firefighters and fire buffs.
 The
Passaic Fire Department began with the formation
of a Fire Association. The Fire Association was
an independent organization and was called into
being by the need for fire protection.
Since the local government in those early days had no power to provide funds for such purposes, the citizens took the task upon their own shoulders.
The purpose of the Fire Association was to enlist citizens into the fire service, not necessarily as active firefighters, but as contributors to the fire fund.
At the close of the first year of the Fire Association, a proposition was made to form a fire engine company. Passaic Engine Company #1 was the result and was established on November 1st, 1869. The first Engine house was located in the rear of the old city hall which was a hay storage shed.
The first Engine House began directly after the formation of Engine Company #1. Each member contributed at least two days labor and constructed the building themselves.
During 1871, a decision was made by the new city government to organize other fire companies. Dundee Engine Company #2, and McLean Engine Company #3 were organized.
Dundee Engine Company #2 was organized on January 24th, 1874
McLean Hose Company #3 was reorganized as McLean Engine Company #3 on January 3rd, 1887
Formation of Companies
As a result of the organization of Engine Company #1, the need arose for a Truck Company, and as a result of that need, Rescue Hook and Ladder Company #1 was organized. The Truck and Bucket Company, as it was first called, utilized Engine Company #1's hand engine, which served the purpose of the Passaic Fire Department until July 4th, 1873. In April, 1873, the City of Passaic was incorporated and the village form of government was succeeded by a Mayor and Council form of government.
The Passaic Fire Department became a fully paid Fire Department in April, 1909, and the first fully motorized Department on the east coast. The first paid Fire Chief of the City of Passaic was elected Reginald H. Bowker.
The most important date in the Department's history occurred on February 1st, 1874, when Oscar T. Conklin, of Engine Company #1 was elected Chief.
July 4th, 1873, was signalized by the arrival of the first steam fire engine purchased by Passaic. The engine went to Engine Company #1, which then changed its name to Passaic Steam Fire Engine Company #1.
The Passaic Fire Association was disbanded in 1882 as an independent fire organization, when the city took charge of the department and since it ceased to be a useful organization.
Fire Companies
- Dundee Engine Company #2 was organized on January 24th, 1874
- McLean Hose Company was organized on March 9th, 1874, then reorganized and renamed McLean Engine Company #3 on January 3rd, 1887
- Linden Hose Company #1 was organized February 1st, 1887 and reorganized on December 9th, 1893
- Hamilton Hose Company #2 was the latest fire company to be formed in 1893
- The Alert Hook and Ladder Company was organized on March 28th, 1885
Courtesy of Firefighter Ernie Rodrigues
Passaic Fire Departments "First Fire Chief"
On November 2nd, 1894 a day of Parades, Dinners, Fireworks, and dancing were underway. The Passaic Volunteer Fire Department held its silver jubilee. The city was handsomely decorated. The City Hall looked well, but the Alert Truck Company on the river bridge was most admired. The Goddess of Liberty was represented in silver and gold, surmounted by flags, banners, and shields. Mayor Walston R. Brown of Passaic invited the prominent the more prominent of the visitors to a luncheon at the armory. About 800 guests were present. Mayor Brown reviewed the procession from a platform erected in City Hall Park. All the ex-chiefs of the Passaic Fire Department were in line, and in Command of Thomas Coogan who was the Departments first Chief. The jubilee closed that evening with a municipal dinner at Whitehead's Opera House, a display of fireworks at the Passaic Athletic Club oval, and a ball at Retlinger's Hall.
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