Merchantville Fire Department
22 East Park Avenue
Merchantville, NJ 08109
856-662-0900
General Safety Practices
Open Burning, Recreational Fire and Portable Outdoor Fire Places
Contact – Kevin Patti at: KPatti@Merchantvillenj.gov
The Merchantville Fire Department – Niagara Fire Company has served the Borough of the Merchantville and it’s residents faithfully and with pride for the last 125 years. Currently the department is comprised of 1 career person, 30 volunteer firefighters, 3 support personnel and 5 junior firefighters.
History
On May 2, 1888, at a meeting led by former United States Senator Alexander G. Cattell, himself and a group of concerned citizens had joined to lay the ground work for the formation of a fire company. This meeting was called for after the destruction of Judge John Hanna’s barn on April 22, 1888. It would come as a coincidence that the first emergency this newly formed fire company would be called to would be at Senator Cattell’s own property.
The Niagara Fire Company was incorporated on July 20, 1888 as “Niagara Fire Company of Merchantville, N.J.” The name had come from the Niagara Fire Company of Philadelphia which itself was instituted around 1817 after the close of the war with Great Britain. The Niagara Fire Company was housed on Zane (Filbert) Street above Seventh Street with the Phoenix Hose Company until 1822 when the company was dissolved.
In March 1827 the Niagara Hose Company had been founded and housed at Third Street below Catherine Street. They remained here voluntarily serving the people of Philadelphia until 1871 when the City had created the paid Philadelphia Fire Department. After the creation of the paid department the volunteer Niagara Hose Company, who at this point was just a social organization, had heard of another volunteer company being formed in Merchantville. Since they were now but a social organization they had no need for the firefighting equipment they had and in a desire for their name to live on as volunteer company, the Niagara Hose Company of Philadelphia, had passed this equipment onto the newly formed company. This equipment consisted of a four-wheeled hose carriage and 600 feet of leather hose, the chief’s silver speaking trumpet, as well as the marble name stone that is now currently mounted in the memorial out front of the current firehouse if the new fire company would take the name of “Niagara.”
The firehouse was not always located where it sits today but rather the first firehouse sat across the street at 19 E. Park Avenue. This first firehouse was constructed in 1889 costing $1,226.00. In 1895 the building had some upgrades consisting of a bell tower and hose dryer. The following year a bell was purchased to hang in the bell tower from the Weccacoe Fire Company of Camden, located at Fifth and Arch Streets, at a cost of $50.00. This bell now hangs from the monument in front of the current firehouse.
In 1926 a second building was built which is presently the western quarter of the firehouse. After returning from a call in 1935 this section of the firehouse had burned also causing a loss of one of the three trucks housed at the time.
In 1955 the new $50,000 firehouse was dedicated and is still to this day the home of the Niagara Fire Company and its proud members.
How to become a member
The Merchantville Fire Department – Niagara Fire Company is actively looking for firefighter recruits from the community willing to serve their neighbors. Applications available at our website or by stopping by the fire station.
Firefighter Requirements:
– Be at least 18 years of age
– Be of good health and undergo a physical exam
– No previous training required
Junior Firefighter Requirements:
– Be at least 14 years of age
Meetings & Drills
The Merchantville Fire Department – Niagara Fire Company meets on each Tuesday night of the month as follows:
– First Tuesday – Company Meeting – 8 P.M.
– Second Tuesday – Department Drill – 7:30 P.M.
– Third Tuesday – Department Drill – 7:30 P.M.
– Fourth/Last Tuesday – Directors Meeting/Clean – up – 8 P.M.
Probationary/Junior Drill – 7:30
Apparatus
L1294 – 2002 Metz 100′ Aerial
E1292 – 2002 E-One 2000 GPM Pumper, 1000 gal. tank
E1291 – 2016 Pierce 2000GPM Pumper, 900 gal. tank
1296 – 2015 Ram 2500 pick-up
1298 – Ford Explorer
Retired – 1916 Ford Model T Chemical Truck