HISTORY

Inception

The Preakness Volunteer Fire Company 4 originated early in 1924 after a spectacular blaze. The blaze, in the very rural section of Wayne, destroyed Nick Cassidy's barn, including all livestock. Following the incident, twelve neighboring farmers convened at James Ratcliffe's home and conducted the organizational meeting of the Preakness Volunteer Fire Company No 4. At the conclusion of the meeting, Mr. Ratcliffe was named the first President and Mr. Ferdinande Ridgeway became the first Chief. The East Preakness School No. 6, at the intersection of Giannone and Ratzer Roads, became the first meeting hall for the original volunteers.

The Early Days

The current firehouse stands on property purchased from the Torbet Family in 1924. The firefighter members built a two-bay, two-story firehouse with a meeting hall thanks to the generosity of three area families:

1. Hobart -- family of Garrett Hobart, the 24th vice president of the United States,
2. Gaede -- family of Robert Gaede, one of the leading silk dyers in Paterson, and
3. Mills -- wholesale hardware proprietors.

1929 -- A second piece of fire apparatus was purchased: a 1929 Ford Truck outfitted for firefighting. This truck was later followed by a Day Elder Pumper. Several GMCs were purchased from Crane Motors of Little Falls.
1953 -- The members completed a large addition to the rear of the fire station for fundraising events.
1959 -- The building went through further expansion into house a new 1959 Ford Pumper.
1971 -- A four-bay engine room replaced the 1959 expansion. The new bays were built to house two 1964 Ford Pumpers.
1971 -- Also this year, the members purchased a new diesel powered 1250 gpm American Lafrance Pumper. This was the last pumper the members were to purchase as a company. Financial problems caused by poor donations led to an agreement with the Township that it would purchase all new firefighting apparatus.
1982 -- The then 25-member fire company accepted delivery of a new 1500 gpm Hahn Pumper, which replaced one of the 1964 Ford Pumpers. This truck was the first fire truck purchased by the Township for the volunteer fire department.
1987 -- The fire company received its first aerial ladder, an 80-foot Emergency One 1750 gpm Quint ladder truck. An addition to the rear of the building was necessary to house the new apparatus.
1992 -- The American Lafrance pumper was replaced by a 2000 gpm Emergency One Hush Pumper. This pumper was the first to be outfitted for heavy water flow. It carried five inch hose and had a ten man enclosed cab.
1993 -- The Hahn pumper was refurbished by Emergency One. This was the first piece of apparatus to be refurbished by the Township. The cost of the refurbishment, as apposed to a new engine, saved the Township approximately $100,000.

Since 1924, the population of Wayne has jumped from less than 5,000 to over 50,000 and the fire calls for our area have increased dramatically from 30 per year to more than 800. As conditions change, so too do the needs of the volunteer fire company. Preakness Volunteer Fire Company No. 4 has progressed with the times and continues to provide outstanding service to the community utilizing the most modern and up-to-date firefighting techniques and equipment available.

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