[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 14234]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING THE BASKING RIDGE FIRE COMPANY

                                 ______
                                 

                      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 Basking 
Ridge Fire Company No. 1, of Bernards Township in Somerset County, New 
Jersey, a vibrant community I am proud to represent! On June 26, 2004 
the good citizens of Basking Ridge are celebrating the Fire Company's 
Centennial Anniversary with special festivities and a parade.
  For one hundred years, the Basking Ridge Fire Company No. 1 has been 
protecting and serving the residents of their community. The initial 
impetus to start a volunteer fire company in 1904 came from a 
spectacular barn fire and the opening of a new school. The Wickenhaver 
barn burned while residents watched, helpless to do anything to quench 
the flames. Four horses lost their lives and the influential people in 
town took notice of how ill prepared they were to deal with fire. The 
new school had just opened on Maple Avenue, and that also increased the 
importance of having the ability to deal with fire. Charles 
Wickenhaver's descendants still serve as active volunteers with the 
Fire Company.
  A committee to establish a volunteer fire company was assigned and 
met on June 17, 1904. They established the general goals and objectives 
of the organization and determined what was necessary to get started. 
The following week, on June 24, 1904, they chartered the Basking Ridge 
Hose Company. Early actions included establishing committees to 
research buying or making firefighting equipment such as wagons, 
ladders, and lanterns. Each member paid dues to fund the organization. 
They also elected the first officers of the company; Chief Walter 
Allen, Treasurer Charles M. Allen, Secretary Raymond A. Henry, Warders 
Harry W. Bennett and Frank S. Happe.
  Membership requirements were simple and reflected the physical 
challenges of firefighting and the social mores of the times. Members 
needed to be men between the ages of 18 and 45, in good health, and to 
live within one and a half miles of the village green. Members were 
called to action by the ringing of the church bell in the Presbyterian 
Church and had to live close enough to hear the bell and respond 
quickly.
  The first piece of apparatus for the new Hose Company was a hand 
pulled hose cart and 500 feet of hose donated by the Basking Ridge 
Improvement Society. The Fire Company proudly displays this hose cart 
at special events and gatherings. Soon after, the Company approved the 
purchase of fabric fire buckets for 5 cents each and the construction 
of several ladders and a cart upon which to carry the ladders and 
buckets. Lumber and materials for the construction of the ladders and 
cart were donated by M.F. Ellis, Robert C. Bishop, and David Y. Moore.
  In 1906, the Basking Ridge Hose Company incorporated under the laws 
of New Jersey as a volunteer Fire Company, renaming itself the Basking 
Ridge Fire Company No. 1, Inc. Men and horses pulled the equipment to 
fire scenes until the first motorized fire apparatus was purchased in 
1911. Basking Ridge's first fire truck was a Moline Motor Car, a 40 
horsepower contraption that carried six men. The first Fire House was 
built by resident volunteers at the corner of Henry and South Maple in 
1905 at a total cost of $600. It was replaced by a brick structure in 
1915.
  The Basking Ridge Fire Company No. 1 has grown over the years to meet 
the changing demands of the town and to incorporate the newest 
firefighting and lifesaving technologies. In 1985 the company moved 
into a new headquarters at 30 Washington Avenue. The Company operates 
three fire engines (purchased in 1986/97, 1992 & 2003 respectively) a 
heavy rescue truck (acquired in 1997), and increased from one to two 
ambulances in 1988. The entire roster numbers over fifty people 
although only approximately 35 are active firefighters/EMTs. The 
Company remains all-volunteer and responds to over 900 requests for 
help, fire and first aid, a year as well as serving at numerous civic 
events.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge you and my colleagues to join me in 
congratulating the volunteers of the Basking Ridge Fire Company No. 1 
on the celebration of 100 years of a rich history in the protection of 
one of New Jersey's finest municipalities.

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