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The History
of the Pennington Fire Company |
The outdated Button
Hand Engine was taken out of service in 1909, when a Waterous
gasoline water engine was purchased for about $2,000. The effort to
keep pace with new developments in firefighting equipment continued
on August 3, 1916, when the Fire Company voted to purchase, for
about $3,000, a Locomobile chassis equipped with a power pump.
Three years later, the Company's chemical apparatus was motorized
and put on a Ford chassis. Soon after, a committee was formed to
investigate the prices and efficiency of new firefighting apparatus.
A pivotal point in the Company's history was reached on January 10,
1922, when, on the recommendation of that committee, an American
LaFrance
engine was put in service. Purchase price of this vehicle, which
included a right-hand side driver's seat, was $10,000.
Another step into the modern world of firefighting was taken during
the summer of 1923, when a siren, at a cost of $515 replaced the tap
system bell. The bell is a familiar sight beside the present-day
firehouse, where it serves as a memorial to departed members.
As the 20th century progressed, many more changes took place within
Pennington Fire Company. By 1976, its annual budget exceeded
$35,000. The year 1961 was marked by the Company lending
timely assistance to
John F. Kennedy, President of the United States. When Kennedy
visited New Jersey during Richard J. Hughes' bid for the
governership of the Garden State, the U.S. Secret Service selected
the Pennington Fire Company's 1960 LaFrance Pumper, known as Engine
#6, to be on the runway upon Kennedy's arrival at Mercer Airport
aboard Air Force One. The same
procedure was used when Kennedy departed from the airport. Arvin L.
Warren was Chief of Pennington Fire at this time. By a considerable
margin, Mr. Warren's 27-year tenure as Chief is the longest in the
history of the Company.
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