Fireboard minutes

The first meeting of the Board of Fire Officers of Paramus was held at Commissioner Behnke's home on January 22, 1935.

At that meeting, the secretary was authorized to order 500 letterheads, and 200 stamped envelops (100 each of 2 cents and 3 cents) with department imprint.

The first badges were ordered from America-LaFrance.

At the 10/28/35 meeting, it was decided that the dept. shall answer no more calls to put out muck or bog fires unless homes or buildings or crops are endangered.

Co 2's Pierce-Arrow fire truck was taken over by the borough in 1935, rather than the company pay the 150.00 repair bill.

A member of station 3 missed 5 weeks of work due to an injury sustained at the campus fire on Dec 12, 1935. He was compensated with $20.00 from the insurance company even though his regular earnings were about 26.50 per week. This was reported as rectified at the March 2, 1936 meeting held at the home of Asst. Chief Schwarz.

The Fire Dept budget in 1938 was $5,000.00

9/23/40 Red blinker rear lights are installed on all apparatus for the protection of the firemen.

10/16/39 Communications - A verbal communication from Mr. Bunker, of the Arcola Country Club, was presented by police chief Jockish, complimenting the department on the fine work done in fighting the fire at the Arcola Country Club on Sunday October 15, 1939.

10/21/48 Drivers:

Some discussion arises as to the matter of drivers who have been chiefs in the department driving trucks while wearing their gold badges etc. at parades, etc. It is felt that no officer wearing gold should be permitted to drive on such an occasion.

It is finally unanimously agreed that in the future no chief, assistant chief, or ex-chief shall be permitted to drive any apparatus in any parade while wearing a gold badge or hatband, or any other insignia of his office.

10/18/1951 Clothing:

Moved and seconded;

That fire clothing, consisting of coat, boots and helmet, be placed in the custody of each member of the department, and that such member be responsible to the borough to keep the clothing placed in his care (so they be immediately available in case of an emergency) in good condition and reasonable care. It is provided however, that such fire clothing after being in the custody of a member for 5 years after issued to him, shall become his own property.

9/16/53 Traffic Lights:

Fire Commissioner Schwarz is requested to bring before the Mayor and Council a recommendation to endeavor to arrainge with the highway department for some type of control directly from the firehouses over the Route 4 and Route 17 crossings. In the event there is an emergency call necessitating the crossings of these roads by fire apparatus.

This is deemed as necessary because of the difficulties many times because of the heavy traffic on these roads.

1954 Fire School:

Chief Cleanput noted that seeing that the first fire school class of NJ & NY volunteer firemen's association was to be held in Paramus, he requested the chiefs of the various companies to urge a high turnout amongst the men.