History of Fire Services in Northvale, NEW JERSEY

With its establishment, the Northvale Fire Association pre-dated the Borough of Northvale by more than 19 years, which wouldn’t be organized until May 16, 1916.  The first fundraiser held was a Great Masquerade and Civic Ball sponsored by the Northvale Fire Association in 1887.  The location of the first and present firehouse, which is on adjacent land, was tied into the development of Northvale in the latter half of the 19^th century.  Everything the Association bought was paid for by donations or monies earned by fundraising events.  This included wheels, axles, paint, and fixtures for the first horse drawn wagon a year and a half after the founding of the Association.

Construction of the first firehouse on Washington Street took more than two and ahlf years from the acquisition of land in April 1900.  The firemen planned, purchased the lumber at a cost of $420.00, and built the structure themselves.  Several additions and alterations were added to the firehouse over the years to allow space for new and larger fire apparatus.  This was also done by the Northvale Fire Association members at no cost to the Borough.

During the early days of the horse drawn wagon, firemen had to get a horse from one of three men in town:  Frank Velradi, who live on Franklin Street in back of the firehouse; Joseph Hanasuek, owner of a butcher shop, or Henry Bellerson.  On some occasions when the horses were not available, the members pull the wagon by hand to fires.

In 1927, the Association bought their first motorized fire truck, which was a 1927 Hahn pumper, for $2,500.00.  It was the first and only truck purchased by the members as a later law was enacted by the State of New Jersey that required the towns to purchase all other fire trucks.  The Hahn, a 500 gallon per minute pumper, was an outstanding engine and served at a major fire at Camp Merritt in Cresskill, NJ in the early 1930’s.  It also pumped for 48 consecutive hours at the Robert Gair Company inferno in Piermont, NY.

Additional fire apparatus purchased by the Borough included a 1947 American LaFrance pumper, a 1954 Ford pumper, a 1966 Seagrave pumper, 1972 and 1981 Mack pumpers, and 2 emergency trucks.  In 2000, the Borough purchased a Pierce Dash pumper that is currently our 2^nd due truck at fires.  As for chief’s vehicles, a used police car was refurbished and several new SUVs have been purchased ever since.

Discussion on a new firehouse started in 1931.  It took many years to get the funds for construction and it began in late 1938 and early 1939 with the members and public-spirited residents doing the work themselves.  The building, which is our current firehouse, was dedicated on September 1, 1940.  Over time, it housed Borough Hall offices, meetings, and even a one-room jail in the back of the building without any heat.  The building is still owned and maintained by the Association to this very day.

–Historical information provided by Edward Giannotti