[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 133 (Wednesday, September 29, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1790]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING MONTVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. RODNEY P. FRELINGHUYSEN

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 29, 2010

  Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Montville 
Fire Department located in the Township of Morris, Morris County, New 
Jersey as it celebrates its 100th Anniversary this year.
  Established in 1910 as the Excelsior Fire Company by Mr. John 
Capstick, the Montville Fire Department has long been representative of 
bravery and generosity. In just their first year, the fire department 
boasted an impressive 29 volunteers. Their first drill was performed on 
September 24, 1910 with Horace Eagan as their chief. On October 1, 
1910, thanks to the efforts of Mr. Capstick, the department was able to 
purchase their first vehicle: a horse-drawn hook and ladder truck. A 
few months later, on February 6, 1911, the volunteer firemen 
constructed their first firehouse with materials donated by Mr. 
Capstick. On November 6, 1911 the Township Committee took control of 
the fire department.
  When John Capstick passed away in 1918, the department went through a 
period of financial instability. After reorganizing into different 
zones the fire department elected five fire commissioners on August 27, 
1921. The fire department sold bonds in order to raise money to 
purchase its first motorized vehicle in 1922. The fire department 
participated in their first parade on June 3, 1931 as a part of the 
North Jersey Volunteer Firemen's Association Parade. The fire 
department upgraded in 1932 to the Buffalo fire truck which provided 
them with state of the art equipment, for that time period. Then, due 
to a generous donation by the Ladies Auxiliary, the Montville Fire 
Department was able to construct a new firehouse.
  The 1950s saw two big expansions for the Montville Fire Department. 
First, in 1952 came the addition of two International 500 GPM high 
pressure pump trucks to their fleet. Three years later they established 
the Excelsior Fire Company No. 2 to better cover the hills of the 
Taylortown district. The Montville Fire Department eventually sold 
their famed Buffalo fire truck to a private company; however in 1976, 
the fire department repurchased and restored the vehicle. The Buffalo 
fire truck is still owned by the department and since the restoration 
project has received hundreds of trophies.
  The Montville Fire Department has always been a leader in innovation. 
They were the first department in Northern New Jersey to win the 
National Fire Prevention Award. In 1957 the department was awarded for 
organizing one of the first Junior Fire Marshal programs in the Nation. 
They also were the first department to distribute reflectors to 
invalids and to spray Christmas trees with fire retardant.
  Today, the Montville Fire Department boasts an impressive five fire 
trucks and responds to a wide array of emergencies. The success of 
volunteer fire departments such as this one is vital to the security of 
millions of Americans.
  Madam Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me in 
congratulating the Montville Fire Department as they celebrate 100 
years of committed service.

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