Fire Dept History

It is the dedication of the men and women of the Montvale Fire Department along with the support of the governing body, that they have rendered this service to protect the community from fire and disasters. One of the few municipal bargains still available. The volunteer fire department is more than the sum of its parts. You can add up the fire house, the vehicles, uniforms, and life saving equipment; all of this represents a sizeable investment on the part of the citizens of Montvale. But it is the volunteers, fellow residents who give of their time, energies, skill and expertise that afford the borough protection at all hours of the day and night in all kinds of weather. Without this spirit of community service there would be no fire department, and Montvale would be all the poorer.

Therefore: this page is dedicated to the firefighters who have served the Borough of Montvale faithfully since 1924

Although petitions were circulated as early as 1922 for the formation of a fire department in the borough, no action was taken by the governing body. Fire protection was provided by our neighbors in Pearl River and Park Ridge. In August 1924 at a citizens meeting 27 men signed as active members and 11 men signed as associate members to form a fire department and purchased three fire extinguishers at their own expense. The group was not recognized by the governing body although they were trying to render a volunteer fire service to the community.

With the leadership of Councilman A. R. Murray, who later became Mayor, he introduced ordinances on October 14, 1924 authorizing the formation of a fire department and the purchase of a used 350 gallon combination pumper, which were passed by the governing body.

The mayor and Council gave their approval of the elected officers and they were sworn in on October 30, 1924. The fire department received its charter from New Jersey and New York Volunteer Firemen's Association on October 24, 1924.

The first fire truck, a used American LaFrance, also known as The Brockway Torpedo was delivered in December 1924. The fire department did not have a firehouse so the equipment was stored in Collignon's Garage on North Kinderkamack Road. Mr. and Mrs. Collignon also answered the calls for the fire department and sounded the fire alarm. The second piece of equipment a used Roe Chassis, with a steel body and chemical tank was purchased in March 1925. Under the supervision of Captain Howard E. Piatt a chemical and hose truck was constructed by the men of the department. Thus the Montvale Fire Department was underway to provide fire protection to the Borough of Montvale.

The Firemen's Relief Association is still an active part of the fire department and has been helpful in administering relief to its members and widows of firefighters.

In 1930, the fire department felt they would like to do something for the children of the community. A Children's Christmas Eve Party with a parade of fire engines with red and green lights and Santa atop a fire engine was planned for the center of town. Santa gave the children a stocking filled with fruit, nuts, candy and a toy. This started a tradition, which is still continued today and has become one of the most spectacular events of the Christmas season.

In 1935, the fire department felt there was a need for a new fire truck and approached the Mayor and Council as to the possibility of buying a new fire truck. Upon the recommendation of the fire department, a 1935 Seagrave triple combination 600-gallon centrifugal single stage pump was purchased.

The Montvale Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary was organized in 1935 and became active in providing help to the fire department at fires and times of emergencies. They have been a solid part of the history of the fire department through the many years.

The men of the fire department perfected their skills with training and competition. In a Tri-Boro Firemen's Tournament in 1936, they were awarded the First Place Trophy.

In 1937, the Montvale, Park Ridge, and Pearl River Fire Departments hosted the New Jersey and New York Volunteer Firemen's Convention and Parade, which was held in July. A feature of the activities was an aeroplane ride in an open cockpit biplane which flew out of a field, which now houses the bowling alley. The day of the parade was extremely hot and many marchers were overcome by the heat. This was the last time a New Jersey and New York Parade was held in July.

During World War II, an Honor Roll of the service men from Montvale was sponsored and erected by the fire department in the park in the center of town.

In 1948, with the growth of the borough it was felt another fire truck was needed so the Mayor and Council, with the recommendation of the fire department, purchased a Ward LaFrance triple combination 1000 gallon centrifugal two stage pumper with a Waukesha gas engine.

In 1954, radios were installed in all fire trucks. Also in this year the Tri-Boro Mutual Aid Association was formed with Park Ridge and Woodcliff Lake. With this Mutual Aid Association, we have developed a great working relationship with our neighbors and successfully rendered each other help in many situations.

With the growth of the borough and the need for more space, we had outlived our facility at Collignon's Garage, so for a short period of time the fire engines were housed at the railroad station in the center of town. After numerous meetings with the Mayor and Council, it was decided that they would build a firehouse consisting of three bays and a meeting room in the rear at the present location on Memorial Drive.

At the 1955 New Jersey and New York Convention Parade held in Dumont, NJ the fire department with a band under the direction of Professor Stilletti took home the 4th place trophy for regulation uniform.

Home fire alarm radios were purchased in 1956 for each fireman. Also in 1956 the fire department acquired its first chief's car, a retired Ford Police car.

Having won a few minor marching trophies, the department in 1959 felt we should shoot for a big parade, so why not Atlantic City for the New Jersey State Firemen's Convention Parade. We hired the Morristown Colonials and with their marching song, Brazil, we marched down Atlantic Avenue and we put on a terrific show, stretched out for over a block, for the spectators. We did not win a trophy but asking the judges for our demerits they said we only give a percentage rating with 100 as the top. We asked our rating and they said it was 110 but we were not big enough (no rescue boat). Everyone knew about Montvale and we felt we did ourselves proud.

In 1961 a dealer's Mercury demo was purchased for the Chief's car. Also in 1962 an electric, street and hydrant map was constructed and installed in the firehouse, allowing firemen to pinpoint the fire location and the closest hydrant. This map is still in use today. The Fire Reserve was started in 1962 for younger men 16 to 18 years of age. They are the source of our future manpower for the fire department.

The Fire Insurance Underwriters, upon inspecting the fire department and the borough facilities awarded the borough a "C" rating in 1965, one of the highest attainable by a volunteer fire department. We continually strive to maintain that rating as it represents a substantial savings to the Montvale residents in insurance premiums.

1966 became a banner year in the fire department, the firehouse was enlarged by two westerly bays for vehicles, storage space for equipment, a larger meeting room and a new hot water heating system. The Ladies Auxiliary, with their fund raising money purchased the kitchen equipment.

The Mayor and Council with the advice of the fire department purchased a 1966 Crown Coach 1250 gallon pumper with a Waterous two stage pump and a Cummings diesel engine. This was the first Crown truck east of the Mississippi and also the first diesel truck in this area.

1966 also saw the department establish the Montvale Fire Department Welfare Fund, this fund is to be used to aid firemen in time of need and a death benefit for the widows of firemen.

With more community spirit and the thought of providing Mothers a break on Mother's Day, the annual Pancake Breakfast was started in the late 1960's and continues with a good community turnout.

In 1970, a Ford Emergency truck was purchased. This truck was equipped with a 12 KW Onan generator and a complete line of emergency equipment for rescue work.

Also in 1970 the Ladies Auxiliary was asked to join with the department in marching in convention parades. In the spring of 1973 after a successful garage sale the ladies purchased uniforms for all the auxiliary members. With diligent effort, they have succeeded well in competitions and have received many trophies. They are a positive addition to the fire department in marching competitions.

As part of the 50th Anniversary and in commemoration of our deceased firemen and service men, two memorials with antique fire gongs were erected at the foot of Memorial Drive.

With the growth of the borough and replacement of aging apparatus, the Fire Board and Commissioners agreed to request the purchase of a new fire engine. The Mayor and Council gave their approval for a 1975 Crown Coach 1250 gallon pumper with a Waterous two stage pump and a Cummings diesel engine. This replaced the 1948 Ward LaFrance, which was then donated to the Sharon Springs, NY Fire Department.

In 1978, the Fire Department along with the Ladies Auxiliary made one of their greatest showings in marching competition when they captured the Best Overall Trophy in the New Jersey and New York Convention Parade in Little Ferry, NJ. The department has won many trophies for marching and truck competition and is know throughout Bergen and Rockland County as a sharp Gung Ho outfit. It is the determination and pride the men have in their department that they are proud to put themselves on display anywhere and carrying on the spirit that the Charter Members brought forth for the Borough of Montvale. Who can forget our association with the Harmony Senior Drum and Bugle Corps and their music, ( Rocky, Bells of St. Mary and the Washington Post March) the street beat everyone could hear a block away to give us a great marching lift and the concerts at the firehouse after the parades.

With the anticipation of a future pumper or high rise truck another bay was added on the the westerly side of the fire house.

Our third Crown Coach a 250 gallon pumper with a Waterous two stage pump and a Cummings diesel engine was purchased in 1979. This replaced the 1958 Ward LaFrance which, through the generosity of a citizen, was also donated to the Sharon Springs, NY Fire Department.

The members in 1981-82 planned, designed and constructed a 1000 square foot addition to the meeting room. The entire construction cost were paid for by the Fire Department with help from the Ladies Auxiliary and the Fire Reserve. All construction was done by members of the fire department.

Continuing with the engine replacement, a 1983 Crown Coach with a Waterous pump and Detroit diesel engine was purchased. This was our first fire truck with an automatic transmission and the last Crown Coach ever constructed.

In 1988 the 1970 Ford Emergency truck was refurbished with an 18 foot Aluminum Body and new compartments by SWAB Engine Company.

The growth of office buildings in the borough to heights that the ground ladders could not reach alerted the Fire Board of the need for an aerial ladder truck to protect the properties and help firemen in the performance of their duties. A 1991 Simon LT1 75 foot aerial ladder with a 1500 gallon Waterous pump, a Detroit diesel engine and a 15 KW generator was purchased. This replaced the 1966 Crown Coach, which was purchased by several citizens and sent to Columbia, South America for further use.

In 1995 a Custom Fire Coach rescue pumper with a 2000 gallon Waterous pump and a Detroit diesel engine was put in service. This truck replaced the Ford rescue truck which is now in use on Long Island, NY and the 1975 Crown Coach which is in Tennessee.

With the declaration that the fire house was a public building it was necessary to have handicap bathrooms installed. The borough was able to obtain community development funds so in 1994 an addition to the east side of the fire house was planned and constructed to include the bathrooms, a new chief's and officers room, a larger kitchen with furnishings by the fire department and a storage facility.

The fire department in 1996 decided to restore the 1935 Seagrave upon the recommendation of several members who felt that this was a historical piece of equipment of the fire department. The project was started and it has involved hundreds of man hours of work. The fire truck has been meticulously restored over the last three years and proudly represents one of the best historical pieces in Montvale.

To conclude our 1999 season, the fire department marched in the Rockland County Convention Parade and were awarded.

In the early morning of September 16th, Montvale was hit with 11 inches of rain from Hurricane Floyd. With the wind, rain and the breaking of a dam in Spring Valley, NY it caused the Pascack Brook which runs adjacent to the fire house, to rise to an unbelievable height and caused the worst damage ever seen in Montvale. The fire department performing their duties exceptionally well answered 75 calls within a 36 hour period. The fire house was used to house displaced residents of the town where they were housed, fed, and cared for with the help of the Tri-Boro Ambulance Corps