[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 90 (Friday, June 25, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1242-E1243]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING THE WHARTON FIRE DEPARTMENT OF MORRIS COUNTY, NEW JERSEY

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. RODNEY P. FRELINGHUYSEN

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 24, 2004

  Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Wharton 
Fire Department, in Wharton, Morris County, New Jersey, a patriotic 
community I am proud to represent! On June 5, 2004 the good citizens of 
Wharton celebrated the Fire Company's Centennial Anniversary with 
special festivities and a parade.
  For one hundred years, the Wharton Fire Department has been 
protecting and serving the residents of their community. Established by 
the collective efforts of the property owners in the Borough of 
Wharton, the ordinance ``to

[[Page E1243]]

provide for, establish and regulate a fire department in the Borough of 
Wharton'' was declared law by Mayor Harry J. Williams on February 15, 
1904. The ordinance designated a Chief, First Assistant Chief and 
Second Assistant Chief. It also called for the formation of three 
companies: the Active Hose Company with twenty members, the Independent 
Hook and Ladder Company with forty members, and the Board of Fire 
Wardens composed of twenty members. A list of names were read and 
approved on April 4, 1904. Charles Hance was the first Chief of the 
Wharton Fire Department, Robert Oram was approved as the first 
Assistant Chief and John McKenna was approved as the Second Assistant 
Chief.
  To get started, the Wharton Fire Department borrowed two two-wheeled, 
hand drawn hose carriages from first Assistant Chief Robert Oram. Soon 
after, the Fire Department ordered a hose cart and a hand drawn hook 
and ladder truck. Several other hose carts and horse-drawn ladder 
trucks were purchased until the first gasoline-motorized piece of 
equipment, an ``REO'' fire truck, was purchased and put into use in 
1916.
  The first means of alerting the firemen to an emergency was by 
striking large locomotive rims located in several sections of town. 
Then, in December 1904, an 8-inch steam whistle was installed at the 
Hurd Mine. After the mine was closed, the whistle was transferred to 
the furnace and then to the Gunther Silk Mill, This trusty steam 
whistle was used until 1918 when a manually controlled electric siren 
was installed in a cupola atop the Borough Hall. In 1929, the first of 
19 fire alarm boxes were installed on street corners across the 
Borough. In the 1950's, additional electronic sirens were installed as 
the population of the town increased: Today, every Saturday at noon, 
the fire alarm system is tested by the four sirens still in use. But 
the Department is dispatched, by home radio receivers and personal 
pagers.
  To commemorate the Wharton Fire Department's 100th Anniversary, the 
Borough hosted fire companies from all over New Jersey and the 
surrounding area on June 5, 2004. The Wharton Fire Department has 
always been known for its marching ability and its drill team, and 
first marched in August of 1907 in nearby Hackettstown. The Department 
won its first prize in 1908 and today over 200 trophies adorn the walls 
of their firehouse.
  The Wharton Fire Department has grown over the years to meet the 
changing demands of the town and to incorporate the newest firefighting 
and lifesaving technologies. From its charter members to its current 
roster, the membership of the Wharton Fire Department has over the last 
century dedicated itself to the safety and welfare of Wharton's good 
citizens. Wharton's firefighters, dedicated public servants, past and 
present, are to be commended for a job well done.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge you and my colleagues to join me in 
congratulating the volunteers of the Wharton Fire Department on the 
celebration of 100 years of a rich history in the protection of one of 
New Jersey's finest municipalities.

                          ____________________