[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 142 (Thursday, September 22, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1696]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            HONORING THE FAIRFIELD VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

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                      HON. RODNEY P. FRELINGHUYSEN

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 22, 2011

  Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Fairfield 
Volunteer Fire Department, located in Essex County, New Jersey, as it 
celebrates 100 years of dedicated volunteer service to the Township of 
Fairfield.
  The Fairfield Volunteer Fire Department, formerly the Township of 
Caldwell Volunteer Fire Department, was founded in 1911, with the help 
of a handful of residents. The very first firehouse in the township was 
built in 1912, on the lands given to the department by a generous 
donor. Unfortunately, the building burned in 1915. Due to a lack of 
necessary firefighting equipment, the department was helpless to combat 
the flames.
  After the devastating fire, the department assumed a somewhat 
inactive status until a group of citizens reorganized in 1924 and 
erected a new firehouse in 1925 at the site of the old structure. To 
finance its new building, a $1500 mortgage was assumed. In 1927, the 
township's first fire truck, a 1926 Day-Elder Pumper, was purchased. 
Three years later the township purchased the truck to help alleviate 
the department's costs. Since that time, the township has purchased all 
necessary equipment used by the fire department.
  In 1948, the Day-Elder was retired and replaced by a new 1948 GMC 
Pumper. Subsequently in 1952, the Township purchased a second GMC 1000 
gallon Pumper. These two vehicles were housed at town hall, the 
location of the present day municipal building and Firehouse No. 1. In 
1964, the department acquired a FWD four wheel drive GMC 1000 GPM 
Pumper, ``Old Engine 3.'' Then, in the spring of 1970, the present 
Firehouse No. 2 located on Plymouth Street was constructed and 
dedicated.
  Continuing through the rapid growth of the town and the fire 
department, March 1974 brought the addition of the new 1500 GPM Hahn 
Pumper, Engine 4. Three years later, in September 1977, the nearly 30 
year old GMC's were retired and replaced by two new twin Hahn 1500 GPM 
Custom Pumpers, Engines 1 and 2, rounding the arsenal to 4 modern 
pieces of apparatus.
  In 1981, the members of the department designed and constructed a new 
Firemen's Recreation and Training Hall on land received from the town, 
adjacent to the Plymouth Street Firehouse. The organization sold the 
old firehouse which still stands today, now occupied by a privately 
owned business.
  Three years later, the department purchased a 1984 LT1 100-foot 
Ladder Tower with a 1500 GPM pump. This vehicle was added to the 
Township's firefighting capabilities in response to the rapid growth of 
larger office buildings and multi-floor hotels. After 30 years of 
service, Old Engine 3 was soon replaced with a new Pierce 2000 GPM 
custom built Pumper. This engine represented the epitome of modern 
firefighting, with a fully enclosed cab, up-to-date radio equipment and 
computerized pump controls. The department also purchased a 1995 GMC 
Suburban Incident Command Vehicle, complete with radio equipment; 
enabling the department to directly communicate with any of the 
surrounding fire departments, State Police, West Essex First Aid Squad, 
paramedics and NorthStar Medical Helicopter.
  Rounding off its modern arsenal of firefighting apparatus, the two 
1976 Hahns were retired and replaced with twin Pierce 2000 GPM Custom 
Pumper Engines 1 and 2. Both trucks came with safety features and 
capabilities that far outperform the old equipment, including fully 
enclosed 6 seat cabs and computerized pump controls. The latest piece 
of apparatus replaced the first ladder truck with a 2005 Pierce 100 
foot ladder tower with the newest technology.
  Due to the high volume of industry, waterways and major highways, the 
department's duties have increased from basic firefighting to extra 
services including vehicle extrications and water rescue that demands 
not only the purchasing of specialized equipment but also many extra 
training hours. As an all-volunteer department, the members give their 
own time and sacrifice their safety for the good of their community and 
mutual aid to surrounding towns. Many members have surpassed 50 years 
of volunteer service to the department and for that they are commended.
  From past to present the Fairfield Volunteer Fire Department has 
worked through many hard times, experienced its share of success and 
tragedies, and has developed and grown right along with the community 
it serves. Its past and present members should feel pride to be part of 
such a group of dedicated individuals.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me in recognizing 
the Fairfield Fire Department as it celebrates 100 years of volunteer 
service.

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