Brief History of the Milton Fire Company
A Brief History of the Milton Fire Company
From a meeting of six concerned men in January 1936 in George Varick’s little store, to the present two structures housing eight trucks, there has been a continuing story of concerned and dedicated citizens. Soon after forming the Jefferson Township Fire Co. No. 1, interest began to grow. The first truck was purchased in 1936, from the Lower Berkshire Valley Fire Company for $210.00. It was a 1913 White Chemical truck and was housed in a barn across from the present firehouse. The first fire on a bitterly cold night in November 1936 found the water tanks frozen! Shortly thereafter, the company began to rent space in the present building at 162 Milton Road, then owned by the Junior Order of United American Mechanics. All firemen were assessed one dollar in advance dues to cover remodeling expenses.
In September 1937, the first electric siren was installed. Prior to this, the men had been sounding the alarm using the hand-cranked siren mounted on the truck. In January 1938, a 1922 Reo pumper was purchased, which gave the firemen a pump to work with. In May 1939, a 1926 Larrabee pumper was purchased to replace the Reo. This lasted through the war years of 1941 to 1945. During this time, Chief Ed Headley had the assistance of several women of the community, due to the manpower shortage.
In 1946, a new Army surplus 1944 Chevrolet fire engine was purchased, followed by a much-needed Ford tank truck in 1949. In 1951, the men purchased a Chevrolet Auxiliary truck with their own funds, which was later donated to the town for use by the public works department.
In 1955, the Fire Company took their biggest step yet by purchasing the building from the JOUAM, giving them a permanent headquarters, and a large mortgage. Donkey Baseball was organized as a fundraiser, and when the dust settled one fireman had a broken wrist, and one spent a week in bed with bruises. Most of the funds to pay the mortgage came from the weekly Bingo games run by the company, although Donkey Basketball was added in 1967 and 1968.
In 1959 several members of the Fire Department organized the Milton First Aid Squad, which is now a separate organization. The ambulances were stationed at the Firehouse for many years, until the Squad built its own building, also on Milton Road. The two bays where the ambulances were kept are still today called the “squad bays”. Our strong bond with MFAS remains to this day. The Squad responds with us to every call in the Milton section of the Township. We consistently train together, and many of us are members of both organizations.
With the growth of the Milton area, and the building of many new homes, a new American LaFrance pumper was purchased in 1959. Following that a new Ford/LaFrance tanker was added in 1965, a new Chevrolet Rescue Truck in 1968 replacing the 1951 unit. A Hahn Pumper was bought new in 1971, replacing the faithful 1944 Chevrolet Pumper.
The company continued to expand the alerting system as well, adding more sirens, and in 1964, the first Plectron Home Alerting System. The Plectrons were activated and the Fire Company dispatched by Police Headquarters, with a base station at the Firehouse as well. In 1965, an additional 1 3/4 acres of land was purchased, bringing the total property area of 2 3/4 acres, for use as a training ground, parking, and any possible expansion. The mortgage was paid off in 1969, however, a new mortgage was obtained in 1974 for a complete remodeling of the Firehouse.
In 1976 a large parade was sponsored by the company, celebrating 40 years of service. Parades have also been hosted in 1986, and 1996, all of which were attended by many local and out of area departments. The Fire Company has also attended many parades in other townships, and collected quite an array of trophies for our shelves, in both marching and truck competition categories, the team even got a flatbed truck rental to travel.
With Township continuing to grow, 1976 saw the addition of a substation on Cozy Lake Road, which can house two trucks. In 1979 a new Continental Pumper was added to the fleet, and in 1983, another Hahn Pumper to replace the 1959 LaFrance. 1986 saw the replacement of the Ford/LaFrance Tanker with a new Mack, which carried 3000 gallons of water, twice the capacity of the older vehicle.
With the coming of condominiums and new taller buildings popping up along Route 15, plans were made to purchase a ladder truck in the early 1990’s. The building needed to be expanded. Another mortgage was obtained and the newest portion of the firehouse was built (leftmost section from the front). This addition added four large drive-thru bays. In 1991 a 95-foot E-One platform aerial ladder was purchased and housed at the main building. 1997 brought the arrival of two units, a new 1997 Freightliner/Marion rescue which replaced the 1968 Chevrolet (which had an open back), and also the construction of a brush unit out of a 1976 Dodge Power-wagon army surplus unit. All the work was performed by members of the department, keeping costs to a minimum. The new brush unit replaced “The Beast”, the 1954 Army Surplus GMC deuce and a half, which many members were very fond of.
As the millennium approached, a 2000 Seagrave Pumper was purchased to replace the 1979 Continental, which was sold to a Fire Company in Missouri for $1, replacing their 1950’s Young Fire Apparatus. The company also acquired a 1984 Chevrolet Pickup, which operated as a supplemental brush unit and rescue unit, being equipped with the Jaws of Life. This truck was a cooperative effort between the Company and the New Jersey State Forest Fire Service.
The early 2000’s saw considerable change not only for our Company, but in the nation as whole. The attacks of September 11th 2001 put a spotlight on emergency response to large scale incidents, and interagency training. In 2004 another Seagrave Pumper was purchased to replace the 1983 Hahn Pumper. Shortly thereafter in 2006, we saw the arrival of a Frieghtliner/American LaFrance Pumper that replaced the beloved 1971 Hahn, which served the company proudly for 35 years. The Hahn was sold to a private buyer. A 2006 Ford F-550 with a Reading body was purchased to replace the 1984 Chevy Pickup as well as the 1976 Dodge Pickup which had been removed from service years earlier.
The beginning of the 2010’s put the skills of the previous decades training to the test as we had several large scale responses with Hurricane Irene in 2011, Superstorm Sandy in 2012, and a multi day salvage yard fire to end 2013. A new Mack/Pierce Tanker was purchased in 2013 replacing the 1986 Mack.
The second half of the decade brought about technological changes to the Firehouse. We enhanced our responses by using cell phone applications for receiving dispatches as well mapping hydrants and water sources. These apps also allow us to upload preplans, floorplans, and other vital information we may need during an incident. iPads were added to the trucks making GPS, preplans, motor vehicle schematics, water source information, and more instantly available to the Officers responding. The company also made the change from the traditional hydraulically powered Jaws of Life to state of the art eDraulic battery operated Jaws, which greatly increased versatility and power of the tools.
In 2015 a pole barn was built in the rear of our property, increasing our storage space, and allowing us more space for in house training drills. 2016 saw an old friend return when the Company decided to purchase our former 1971 Hahn from a private seller. The Company continues to maintain the truck as a way of preserving our history, and it proudly makes its way around town every December during our annual Santa Tour. The extra room for training paid off in 2017 when a group of dedicated members increased their training and formed our Rapid Intervention Crew. The RIC is available to respond to major incidents in surrounding communities and is responsible for the rescue of any lost or injured firefighters operating on scene. A Ford F-150 was purchased for use as a utility vehicle in 2018.
2020 began with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic that affected the entire world. The Company did its best to keep community spirits up by participating in drive-by birthday celebrations, disinfecting the shopping carts at the local supermarket, providing an Easter Bunny tour, and more. Fire Department responses continued 24/7, without interruption during the pandemic. The residents of the township showed their generosity with donations of food, masks, and cleaning products. A new Pierce Engine was purchased in 2020 replacing the 2000 Seagrave. Another Pierce Engine replaced the 2004 Seagrave in 2022. In 2025 we welcomed a new 100’ Pierce Ladder to replace the 1991 E-One which had served the town proudly for 34 years.
Since our humble beginnings in 1936, our community has grown so much, and the Fire Company has grown with it, adding many new responsibilities and services. Our Company provides mutual aid support not only to our sister company in Lake Hopatcong, but also into West Milford, Hardyston, Sparta and beyond. The Company has also seen a continuing increase in calls for service over the years, not only with the addition of new housing, but responding to many alarms which have now been installed. Currently the Company answers over 200 calls for service each year, which range from false alarms, to flooding conditions, carbon monoxide alarms, smoke in the house, brush fires, vehicle fires, and of course, structure fires.
Today, our firefighters receive continual training beginning with Firefighter I, an intensive course of instruction followed by regular in-house training drills multiple times a month. Most members go to the Morris County Public Safety Training Academy for the initial training, but have in the past attended schools in Wayne (North Jersey School), and Sea Girt (NJ State Fire School). Continuing education seminars and special courses have been presented by Kean University, New York City Fire Dept. members, Hazardous Materials Handling Companies, and on occasion the manufacturers of special equipment. Members also get training in fire prevention and safety, and bring fire awareness into our township school system with programs presented every October during Fire Prevention month. Most of our members continue their training at various Fire Academies with courses ranging from Firefighter II, rope rescue, vehicle rescue, truck company operations, man vs machine, rapid intervention/safety and survival, fire officer development, and many others covering every facet of the modern fire service.
Much credit must be given to the six men who started the Company, and the now 40+ members who drop everything when the alarm sounds, responding to the call of a community in need, 24/7.