Fair Lawn Fire Department: Making History Every Day

The Fair Lawn Fire Department was founded on November 11, 1911 when a group of citizens assembled at The Fair Lawn Hotel on the corner of Fair Lawn Avenue and River Road (site of the current Empress Dinner). The meeting was spearheaded by Charles Vogel who was the former Chief of the Hollis, NY Fire Department.

Charles convinced his fellow citizens that a Fire Department would be essential in Fair Lawn and thus the Fair Lawn Volunteer Firemen’s Association #3 was formed and he was elected as its first Chief. At that time, Fair Lawn was still part of Saddle River Township and would not be incorporated for another 13 years in 1924. Two weeks after the meeting at the Fair Lawn Hotel, the hotel was ravaged by a fire before the Department had even acquired any equipment. Later, the Fire Company would be known as Fair Lawn Fire Co#1 in the Center section (site of the current bagel store on River Road).

Much of the written history compiled in my blog will come from two sources. The first is a book written in the 1930s that was commissioned by the Work Progress Administration (WPA) during the great depression. The other was Fair Lawn's 75th Anniversary Journal that was written by Fair Lawn firefighter Jerry Jastrab in 1999.

The Work Progress Administration (WPA) was created by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The goal was to employ workers who were currently unemployed to carry out public works projects. One such project was the history of the Fair Lawn Fire Department which was written in the mid 1930s. This book proved to be a valuable resource when myself and Jerry Jastrab gathered the necessary information needed to complete the section regarding the Fire Department for the 75th Anniversary Journal. Jerry compiled the department’s history by referencing the book produced by the WPA and by interviewing long-time retired and current members.

One of the great things about writing this blog is that I can speak about events over the past 100 years, but I’m not limited to speaking about the past. Every day the department is making history, so I would also like to make you aware of current happenings. This week the Department responded to an located on Wagaraw Road in the Fair Lawn Industries. All four Fair Lawn Companies responded and Mutual Aid was provided by Saddle Brook and Elmwood Park. Fire Chief Chris Hoitsma reported that “The building was evacuated and no one was hurt. The fire was caused by a spark from a machine that was being worked on at the time.” All units returned to their quarters safely with limited damage to life and property which makes it a good day in the Fair Lawn Fire Department. Our special thanks go out to Saddle Brook and Elmwood Park for their help.

In my next blog, I will discuss the traditions that the department upholds for Memorial Day  as we remember those who served and have gone before us.