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Samuel W. Johnson Steam Fire Engine Co. No. 1, Inc.
By John Long - 50 Year Member
S.W.J. Company Historian
History
reveals that in 1875, Garnerville had experienced a rather
severe fire, and the management of the Garner Print Works,
realizing the need to protect it's property, encouraged the
founding of the Samuel W. Johnson Fire Company.
On June 6,
1876, a meeting was held in Garnerville at 7.30pm for the
purpose of organizing a fire company. Twenty eight charter
members were present all of whom were employees of the print
works; since only employees would be eligible for membership.
So as the
invention of the steam fire engine came out of the desperation
for fire suppression, also was the founding Samuel W. Johnson
S.F.E. Co. No. 1.
Samuel W.
Johnson whose name was adapted by the company was an associate
in the Print Works and Brother-in-Law of William T. Garner. Mr.
Garner was very influential in providing the funds necessary for
the purchase of the 1869 American LaFrance Button Steam Fire
Engine.
The American
LaFrance Button Steam Fire Engine was at the seen January 8,
1906 aiding the Haverstraw Fire Department in combating the land
slide fires. The first decade of the 20th century was the
beginning of the end for horse drawn fire engines. We were
witnessing the passing of true "horse power".
Electricity came into the firehouse in 1912 and the need for
motorized equipment was becoming more apparent. In June 1914, a
1910 Sterns Chemical Chain Driven Auto/Truck was added to the
companies equipment. After 38 years, since its inception, the
company acquired their first automobile fire apparatus. This
complimented the fire fighting power of the steamer and moved
the company into the 20th century. Also with the purchase of the
Sterns came the transfer of the company from the Garner Print
Works to the village of West Haverstraw, thus the company was
now was supported by tax dollars not industry. In 1915,
Garnerville become part of the incorporated Village of West
Haverstraw Fire District.
Thomas
Hester, Sr., was the last surviving charter member, dies on
February 20, 1920. Our 1920 American LaFrance type 75
combination chemical and hose car was purchased for a cost of
$9000.00, to which the Samuel W. Johnson Fire Company
contributed $3000.00. 1930 sees the retirement of the
"Steamer". It will be used for exhibition purposes
only.
The Samuel W.
Johnson Ladies Auxiliary was formed when 26 of the members'
wives asked, and were subsequently granted, permission to do so
in 1936. Ruth Thiell was one of the charter members and is to
this day still active in the auxiliary. Thank you Ruth for over
65 years of dedicated service.
The first
"Quad" was purchased in 1940. It was our first engine
and cost $11,000.00. The engine was paid for over time and was
owned outright by 1943. The company had contributed over
$3000.00 towards the purchase. Twenty years later this truck
would be replaced.
In 1960, a "Howe" Quad was purchased to replace the
original quad at a cost of $27,000.00. This truck is stillin
service today over 41 years later. Seems like it was a good
investment. In 1966 a 1949 Mack 500 gpm pumper was add to the
S.W. Johnson fleet. Member Doug Mackey saw a need for an
equipment truck and rather than burden the village with the
expense of such a vehicle, designed and built 23-EQ from parts
of numerous vehicles. He turned over ownership to the village in
1967.
1970 would
see the replacement of the Mack 500 with the "Howe"
1250 gpm pumper. a unique feature of this truck was the
two-stage pump. It could act as both a normal pump, flowing high
volume or it could engage a high pressure pump for use on
smaller fires. The 1250 was retired on July 11, 1999, another
truck kept in service for nearly thirty years.
In 1976
Americal celebrated 200 years. S.W. Johnson also celebrates its
100th Anniversary with the opening of our current headquarters
on Bridge Street.
Our first
Aerial Quint/Tower arrives in 1988. Manufactured by Sutphen
Corporation, the tower was purchased at a cost of $375,000.00.
The Quint can act as the initial attack rig on structure fires,
while providing the company with the capability to begin rescue
from upper floors.
The second
Sutphen truck was purchased in 1999. It is a 2000 gpm pumper
with a ten person enclosed cab. The vehicle was over $40,000.00.
In July of
1999, Lisa Castaldo-Green became the first female firefighter in
the 124 year history of Samuel W. Johnson S.F.E. #1.
The old Chevy
(23-EQ) was replaced in 2001. A surplus ambulance is acquired
from the Haverstraw Ambulance Corp. and is retooled for the fire
service.
The business
of a fire company is saving lives and preserving property - in
that order. As you can see by the history you have read, the
Samuel W. Johnson S.F.E. Co. No. 1 of Garnerville has been a
group of men and women dedicated to the citizens of Garnerville
and the Village of West Haverstraw. Our rapidly changing life
style has burdened our volunteer's. Many people commute great
distances to work and no longer have the time to devote to the
volunteer service. They no longer have the time to devote to
such a noble cause. The youth of today is the volunteer fire
service of the future. Increased requirements and commitment for
training, safety awareness and technology advancements have put
a tremendous strain of the volunteer The members of our company
have taken the attitude that this is "just part of the
job". Rest assured that we will always be evaluating our
community's needs and our company's readiness. Those twenty
eight charter members, although foregotten until today, had
pride in doing good, working side-by-side, knowing that as
volunteers, they were making sacrifices for their community.
That pride still lives today, 125 years later! In Samuel W.
Johnson Steam Fire Engine Co. No. 1, We still have the memories
and we still have the heritage of our company.
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