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Humble
Beginnings
History
was made in 1927 when a group of civil-minded men organized Brick Township’s
first fire company, known as Pioneer Hose Co. A devastating forest fire in
the spring of 1926, which roared uncontrolled through the southern section
of the Township, was the genesis of Pioneer Hose. Truly comparable to the
early pioneers of America who sought to develop new horizons, the aims and
goals of Brick Township’s first fire department was – and still is – to pioneer
in ways of easing human danger and suffering. It was appropriate, then, that
the covered wagon was chosen as the symbol for Pioneer Hose Fire Co. These
men, then and still today, volunteered 100% of themselves and their free time
to their community, for no renumeration. Remember these proud volunteers.
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The
founders of the Pioneer Hose Fire Co. emanated from the Patriotic Order of
Sons of America. A single truck, a 1927 4-cylinder Chevy equipped with only
a few tanks, buckets, and shovels, represented Brick Township's only fire protection
for the ensuing three years. |
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first official Fire Chief was Ennes Gant, who became a traditional figure in
Pioneer Hose Co. His contribution of himself and his services was overwhelming.
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The business
of the early meetings typically revolved around the cost of operations. At
the August 15, 1927 meeting, a motion was adopted that if the company ever
ran short on funds to make the monthly payments on the fire truck, each volunteer
member would be personally required to pay his pro-rated share, insuring the
area uninterrupted fire protection. What dedication!
On November
10, 1927, William Miller Sr. was appointed a committee of one to purchase
the town’s first fire alarm system, a large bell obtained from Bay Head Fire
Company. In the summer of 1931, the company purchased a new 1931 6-cylinder
Chevy. Cream color at delivery, it was repainted in 1935 the traditional fire-engine
red.
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to completion of the fire house on Drum Point Road, the firefighting equipment
was housed in Ennes Gant's garage on Adamston Rd |
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In
1938, the firefighting equipment was moved to the Lodge Hall of the Patriotic
Sons of America…this building is still in existence at 307 Drum Point Road. |
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Onward
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1940, the District 1 Board of Fire Commissioners purchased a 1940 Dodge 500
GPM pumper. Shortly before delivery, the fire company moved into its present
fire house at 312 Drum Point Road. |
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During
the war years of 1941 to 1945, junior members were enlisted to replace the
regulars who were serving in the armed forces. This policy was discontinued
after the war, but reestablished in 1966.
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1946, a custom-built fire engine on a Ford chassis with a 200 GPM pump and
a 600 gallon tank was purchased. In 1954, the building was remodeled by moving
the original building back and adding a three bay truck room. |
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the dedication of the new building in 1954, the fire company also housed a
new 1954 750 GPM Ford pumper capable of carrying 860 gallons of water and equipped
with the most modern equipment. This replaced the obsolete 1931 Chevy. |
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In
1960, another 750 GPM pumper joined the ranks of Pioneer Hose Co. The truck
was able to handle the foam agents necessary to fight oil fires, and was equipped
with the most modern equipment available. |
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1964, Pioneer Hose acquired a 1964 GMC four-wheel-drive pumper with a 100 GPM
high pressure pump. |
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In
1966, the company built its second fire house on the barrier island to provide
better protection for Brick Township's beachfront residents. |
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In 1968, the company
acquired its first 1500 GPM pumper. Also in 1968, Pioneer Hose began construction
of an addition to its headquarters - a new Bingo hall. It was completed four
months later.
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In 1968, Chief Preston
Skillman visited the Hahn plant to inspect a ready-for-delivery yellow truck,
being delivered to the Mt. Bethel Fire Co. Chief Skillman returned with color
photographs of the yellow truck, and it was learned that a study performed
by Dr. Alden N. Haffner, Executive Director of the Optometric Center of New
York, showed that bright yellow is "many times more visible than the
traditional red". Soon thereafter, the members voted to have their new
truck painted chrome yellow, as a test. Thus the early introduction of a yellow
fire truck in New Jersey.
By August 1973, a Hahn
1500 GPM pumper was housed. Interestingly, by this time, all Pioneer Hose
apparatus had been repainted yellow.
1975 opened with the
need for yet another addition to the firehouse, to house a new 85-foot Young
aerial ladder.
Today's apparatus can
be found on our apparatus
page.
The proud history of
Pioneer Hose lives on through all of its volunteer members, past and present.
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