Before North Arlington became an independent municipality, fire protection was provided by Union Township’s volunteer fire department. This arrangement left the borough with limited equipment and little reliable protection for its growing number of homes. The first recorded fire in the area took place in March 1899, when Union Township firefighters were called to extinguish a blaze at the Kingsland homestead.
A few years later, the foundation of the borough’s own fire department began in July 1909, when a group of residents organized the “North Arlington Club.” Originally created for political and social purposes, the club quickly gained influence within the small community. By October 1910, members voted to rename it the “Borough Club” and formally supported the creation of a local fire department.
On June 7th, 1910, the Borough Council passed the ordinances necessary to establish a firefighting force. Soon after, the club officially reorganized as Hose Company #1 on January 12th, 1911, with John Devine elected as the first Fire Chief. Early members included many of the borough’s most active citizens, and while their equipment consisted mainly of small hose reels previously used by the Kearny Fire Department, these modest tools became the nucleus of a determined volunteer service.
In addition to firefighting, the company became a cornerstone of borough life. Social events such as dances, raffles, and carnivals raised funds for the department and strengthened ties with the community. A small shack on Ridge Road at Crystal Street, donated by Mr. Meachen, served as their first firehouse, while the company continued to push borough officials for more suitable quarters.
Leadership changes brought further growth. In 1916, Vincent O’Hara was elected Chief over Richard Smith, a founding member of Hose Company #1. Smith, disappointed by the result, led efforts to establish a second fire company. Despite opposition from Hose Company #1, the Borough Council approved the request, and on June 12th, 1917, Schuyler Hose Company #2 was officially organized after completing its own firehouse. Schuyler quickly became an important part of the department, though not without early tensions with its older counterpart.
In 1922, increasing membership demands led to the creation of a third company: Eagle Hose Company #3. Under the leadership of its first president, Elbert W. Baker, Eagle Hose became an active advocate for improved alarm systems and, like the earlier companies, relied on social functions and community support to fund operations. The company’s strong start quickly earned it the respect of local residents, and its membership grew with future leaders such as John B. O’Hara and Thomas Reilly.
By the mid-1920s, North Arlington’s fire department had grown from a single company with borrowed equipment into a three-company volunteer force, supported by exempt associations and auxiliary organizations. The department had become not only a protector of life and property but also a central institution in the civic and social fabric of the borough.
Today, more than 100 years after Hose Company #1 first organized, the North Arlington Fire Department stands as a modern, highly trained volunteer force. What began with small hose reels, borrowed firehouses, and community dances has evolved into a department equipped with advanced apparatus and staffed by generations of dedicated volunteers.
The department’s journey reflects the growth of North Arlington itself. From the earliest bucket lines and borrowed pumpers to the sophisticated equipment and training of today, each chapter in the department’s history is built upon the service and sacrifice of those who came before.
The North Arlington Fire Department is more than a record of fires fought – it is a living tradition of neighbors protecting neighbors. For over a century, its volunteers have embodied courage, commitment, and community spirit, ensuring that the borough remains safe and strong.
