Overview[]
The Plainfield Fire Department is a career fire department that employs around 93 firefighters, who protect about 55,000 residents in an area of 6 square miles.
History[]
Prior to 1827, Plainfield had no organized fire department. But a Mr. J. M. C. Smith, who ran a hardware store and tinsmith shop on Front Street, always kept on hand a large stock of home-made tin pails. When the alarm of fire was raised, Mr. Smith was one of the first to answer with armfuls of buckets and organized the citizens. But it was clear that this crude way of fighting fires was not only very hard work, but it was a great waste of water too.
In 1827 the town purchased an engine (for the sum of $219), and a company was organized and named Fire Engine Co., No. 1 of Plainfield. The company disbanded in 1832. In 1836 a new organization was formed and was known as Harmony Engine Co., but they also disbanded a few years later.
In 1858, a committee of concerned citizens was appointed to purchase a new engine and form a new fire company, called the Gazelle Engine Co., No. 1. A machine costing $800 was purchased for an engine.
Shortly after that, a law was enacted creating a fire district and authorizing the election of Fire Commissioners, with power to levy a fire tax. The fire district encompassed a portion of what is now the City of Plainfield and the Borough of North Plainfield. A brick engine house (Engine House No 1) was built on Cherry Street, now Park Avenue.
In 1866, the Board of Fire Commissioners recommended purchasing a steam fire engine and in August of 1867, a steamer was purchased and Plainfield Fire Co., No. 2, was organized with twelve members, who were formerly members of Gazelle Engine Co. With two companies, it was necessary for a single chief and John Roselle was appointed the first Chief in 1867.
In 1868, after a disastrous fire, the Fire Commission recommended purchasing a second steam engine. When purchased, the old hand engine it replaced was sent to North Plainfield and a new company was organized as the Warren Hose Co., No. 3.
In 1877 Zephyr Hook and Ladder Co., No. 1, was organized, and two years later Alert Hose Co., No. 1, came into existence.
In 1887, a legal dispute over the legality of the fire tax ended up in the NJ Supreme Court, who found the tax was indeed illegally levied. After the decision of the Supreme Court, the City of Plainfield took possession of the Department property and assumed debts amounting to about $8,000. The fire house on Somerset Street (Warren No 3), with steamer, hose cart and about 1,000 feet of hose was sold to the Borough of North Plainfield and ultimately became the North Plainfield Fire Department. The next year, the new City Council passed an ordinance for the establishment of a new Fire Department encompassing the two remaining Plainfield companies.
In 1890, a Gamewell Telegraph Fire Alarm System was installed with thirteen boxes distributed in various parts of the city.
In 1893 Engine House, No. 2, was sold and new Headquarters Building was erected at 147, 149, 151 East Second Street. The new headquarters building housed Hose Co., No. 2, Hook and Ladder Co., No. 1, Chemical Engine Co., No. 1, the Chief's Wagon and Supply Wagon. The Chiefs office was also in the building.
In 1898, Engine House, No. 3 was built at 730-732 West Fourth Street, in the west end of the city, where a hose wagon and truck were placed.
In 1899, the City Council approved an ordinance creating a Fire Department that was part full paid and part on call. The new department had one Chief, Two Assistant Engineers, (one on call), ten full paid men and twenty-four call men.
In 1910, the department built the Netherwood Fire Station with a lookout tower at 1015 South Avenue and established Hose Co., No 4. This station is still in operation and today houses Engine Co. 4. In 1993, the building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places (Ref. #93000133)
In 1926, the City began construction on the new Central Fire Headquarters building at 315 Central Avenue. When completed, the department consolidated the companies from the old Fire headquarters and Engine House No. 2 in the new 3 story, 7 bay station. In 1993, Central Fire Headquarters was listed on the National Register of Historic Places (Ref. #93000131) and continues to operate today, with two engine companies (Squad 1 and Engine 2), Truck 3, plus several reserve pieces.
In 1957, the department built a replacement for the original west end station located at 730-732 West Fourth Street. The new station was further west and located at 1147 West 3rd Street. That station is still in service and home to Engine Co. 3.
Former Fire Stations[]
| Station | Address | In Service | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine House No. 1 | 234 Cherry Street (now Park Avenue) | 1858 - ???? | Building demolished |
| Engine House No. 1 | 208-212 West Second Street | ???? - 1927 | Building demolished |
| Engine House No. 2 | Unknown | 1867 - 1893 | |
| Fire Headquarters | 147- 151 East Second Street | 1893 - 1927 | Building demolished |
| Engine House No. 3 | 730-732 West Fourth Street | 1898 - 1957 (?) | Building still stands |
Apparatus Roster[]
All pump/tank measurements are in US gallons.
Fire Headquarters - 315 Central Avenue[]
Built 1926
- Squad 1 (20-1261) - 2015 Spartan ERV Metro Star (1500/500) (SN#214068)
- Truck 1 (20-1231) - 2023 E-One Typhoon (-/-/95' mid mount platform) (SO#144836)
- Engine 2 (20-1282) - 2019 E-One Typhoon (1500/530)
- Truck 3 (20-1233) - 2016 E-One Cyclone II (-/-/95' mid-mount platform)
- Car 4 (Battalion Chief) - 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
- Engine 5 (Spare) - 2000 KME (1250/750) (Ex-Engine 3)
- Deputy Chief - 2014 Chevrolet Tahoe (Ex-Car 4)
- Fire Prevention - 2018 Chevrolet Express
Fire Station 3 - 1147 West 3rd Street[]
Built 1957
- Tactical Support Unit 1 - 1990 International 4900 / Hackney
- Engine 3 (20-1283) - 2013 E-One Typhoon (1500/605/40A) (SO#137670) (Ex-Engine 2)
Fire Station 4 - 1015 South Avenue[]
Built 1910
- Engine 4 (20-1284) - 2017 E-One Typhoon (1500/530) (SO#140816)
- Utility 6 - 201? Ford F-250 w/ liftgate
- Utility 7 - 2022 Ford F-350 / BFX / 10-75 Vehicles
- Car 20 (Prevention) - 2017 Dodge Charger
- Tech Rescue Trailer - 2021 Paratech Gen. II Combo SMT (Shared with North Plainfield and South Plainfield)
- Rescue Boat - Zodiac Milpro w/ motor & trailer
- Support Unit - 201? Dodge Durango
- 201? Ford F-250 (Ex-Utility 7)
Retired Apparatus[]
- 2008 American LaFrance aerial (-/-/100' mid-mount platform) (returned to mfr.) (Ex-Tower Ladder 2)
- 2000 KME pumper (1250/750) (Ex-Spare, ex-Engine 4)
- 1999 KME (-/-/95' AerialCat mid-mount platform) (Ex-Truck 1)
- 1994 E-One pumper (1250/500) (Ex-Engine 1, ex-Engine 2)
- 1994 Spartan / Smeal rescue (Ex-Rescue 1)
- 1988 Pierce Dash pumper (1000/500) (Ex-Engine 1)
- 1982 American LaFrance Century (-/-/100' rear mount)
- 1979 Hahn pumper (1000/500) (Ex-Engine 3)
- 1976 Mack MB / Hamerly pumper (1000/500) (Ex-Engine 4)
- 1972 Hahn pumper (Ex-Engine 2)
- 1971 Mack CF / Baker / 1980 Baker aerial (-/-/75' mid-mount platform) (Ex-Truck 3)
- 1962 American LaFrance aerial (-/-/100' mid mount)
- 1947 Mack pumper (1000/100) (Ex-Engine 1)
- 1938 Mack pumper (750/100) (Ex-Engine 4)
- 1931 Mack city service ladder truck (Ex-Ladder 3)
- 1930 Mack pumper (1000/100) (Ex-Engine 5)
- 1924 American LaFrance pumper (1000/100) (Ex-Engine 3)
- 1922 American LaFrance 75' aerial (Ex-Ladder 1)
- 1920 American LaFrance pumper (1000/)
- 1920 Mack AB chemical hose wagon pumper (Sold to Gerritsen Beach VFD)
References[]
History of the Plainfield Fire Department, Plainfield, N. J., 1827-1901. Issued under the Auspices of the Firemen's Relief Association, of Plainfield, N. J.. Compiled by Eugene Peltier And G. B. Elmhurst. Titsworth Press, Plainfield, N.J., 1901