Photo and story by Ron Jeffers
Active and retired firefighters, family, friends, and firefighters from surrounding communities gathered at Hackensack (NJ) Fire Headquarters on November 2 to celebrate the Hackensack Fire Department’s (HFD) 100th anniversary as a career fire department. About 500 were in attendance and were welcomed by Chief of Department Thomas Freeman. Freeman, who followed in his father’s footsteps as Chief, comes from a long line of city firefighters. In fact, he stated that for 78 of the 100 years of the Hackensack Fire Department, there has been a Freeman serving the city.
SEE MORE PHOTOS FROM THE CEREMONY HERE
On December 15, 1914, the Hackensack Development Commission created a paid and part-paid Fire Department consisting of 10 full-time members and 30 part-paid. The part-paid members were essentially volunteers, but were paid $50.00 per year. The part paid system was disbanded in 1933 and career firemen worked a 72 hours on and 24 hours off schedule.
The department has evolved into a leading area department and in 2013 received a Class 1 fire protection grade issued by the Insurance Services Office (ISO). Of the 48,000 fire departments graded across the country, over 60 have received a Class 1 status.
Hackensack is the Bergen County seat and its 100 firefighters protect residents and a business day population of approximately 100,000. In 2003, the Urban Area Security Initiative selected the HFD as the agency responsible for Bergen County. Many of the department’s members have undergone training in structural collapse, high-angle rescue, hazardous materials, trench rescue, and tunnel training.
The only piece of fire apparatus that stood proud inside the large firehouse during the event was the city’s former 1938 Ahrens Fox piston pumper. This unit is now owned by the bordering Maywood Volunteer Fire Department and serves at its antique. Maywood Ex-Chief Frank Lichtenberger and Lt. Roy DeYoung, who maintain this beauty, brought it along to celebrate and bring back memories.
The anniversary committee did a spectacular job preparing for the event. This included a 100th Anniversary book covering the history of the department, membership list and apparatus history. There was also a tribute to the nine members who gave the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty.
After the official ceremony, Ridgefield Park Ex-Chief John Malool and Captain Brian Nevins, of Truck Co. 1, presented Chief Freeman, Deputy Chief Steve and Ken Kalman and Firefighter Mike Martinelli with a plaque in the department’s honor. Ex-Chief Malool stated , “We emulate the HFD in training and procedures,” On the plaque included the words: “You have set the standard for the rest of us to follow.”
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