|
In 1906 fire completely destroyed the Wise Hotel
in Morris Plains while the citizens stood by helpless to fight the fire.
The Morristown Fire Department responded to the call for help,
but by the time the apparatus arrived the fire was out of control,
and the major fire fighting effort was to protect the adjoining property.
The destruction of this hotel highlighted the urgent need for local
fire protection in Morris Plains and was the impetus behind a
campaign by several leading citizens for the establishment of a
local fire fighting organization. |
| | | The Wise Hotel, Morris Plains |
|
| The Wise Hotel after it burned down on July 5, 1906 |
|
|
On April 25, 1907 interested citizens gathered in the meeting hall of the
Junior Order of United American Mechanics on Franklin Place and founded
the Morris Plains Fire Association. Morris Plains was then a part of
Hanover Township. The Whippany Fire Department was responsible for providing
fire protection. Considering the roads of the day and the type of fire apparatus
then in use it was easy to see that most fires were out of control before the
firemen reached the scene. In actual practice the Morristown Fire Department
fought a good many of the fires in Morris Plains.
|
Morris Plains first piece of apparatus
J.D. Merchant and John Crowsly are pictured |
|
|
In 1907 American LaFrance horse drawn hook and ladder truck was purchased
at a cost of $1,050. The owner of the horses used to pull the
truck received $2.00 per fire,also a used hand pumper was purchased
from the Boonton Fire Dept. The hand pumper was used for about 10 years. In 1923
the Township of Hanover built a new school in Morris Plains( the present Borough School )
and sold the old school which was located on the cornor of Speedwell Ave. and Acadmey Rd.,
to the Fire Association for use as a fire headquarters.
|
 |
| Original charter members lining up for a parade on Franklin Pl. |
|
|
In 1926, Morris Plains broke away from the Township of Hanover
and became a Borough. The new Borough Goverment assumed the responsibility
for the maintenance and replacement of the fire apparatus. To do this the
Morris Plains Fire Department, was formed. The members of the
Morris Plains Fire Association all became members of the new fire dept.
Morris Plains Fire Association remained in existence
and was charged by the new Borough council with the
responsibility of recommending new members of the fire dept.
and of suggesting to the Borough Council the name of persons
to be appointed to the offices of the dept. This has continued to the present.
|
In 1923, the Township of Hanover built a new school in Morris Plains (the present Borough School)
and sold the old school to thr Fire Assocation for use as a new fire headquarters. The old school was located on the corner of Speedwell Avenue and
Academy Road. The Fire Assocation reinforced the floors to hpold the weight of the fire apparatus, installed graage doors in the front wall and built a ramp from the
street up to the level of the first floor. This building server as the fire house until 1940.
In 1924, two important additions were made in the Fire Assocation's equipment inventory. An International truck chassis was purchased and the old horse drawn hook and ladder
truck body was mounted on it. This Assocation also purchased a new Warterous pumper with a 415 gallon per minute (G.P.M.) rotary gear pump. The completed the motorization of the fire apparatus.
| 
|
|
|
|
| Firemen's Carnival at Speedwell Avenue and Academy Road
|
