Department History

History as compiled by Lodi’s Official History book published in 1956/57, the 1934 Convention and Parade of the NJ/NY Firemen’s Convention held in Lodi and Recent Department history.

"Since the early year of 1829 when James Rennie first came to our village and operated a Calico printing business, our then fast growing village had no method of combating fires nor any organized fire volunteers. In those days fires were the responsibility of all the villagers to try and help their neighbors with buckets and pails of water. Because of the inadequate fire equipment and having no organized volunteers, James Rennie was financially ruined, when his Calico printing building was totally demolished by fire in 1883. His brother Robert Rennie followed him and had succeeded in part to organize a village government for the people but had no organized fire department.

"It wasn’t until 1905 several years after our incorporation as the borough of Lodi, that some semblance of a fire department became into existence. It was immediately after the “Big Fire” in 1905 that had completely demolished a two story frame dwelling and store on Main and Nicholson streets, that had aroused our citizens to realize the dire need of an organized fire department.

"Immediately after this fire, our citizens, realizing the need of a volunteer fire department, organized our first Volunteer Fire Company on Nicholson Street, which was then called Hose Company  No. 1. They were later joined by Rescue Truck Company. I can still remember that old fire building, and the many loyal men pulling the hand-drawn two wheeler hose jumper vehicle. After this company was formed, another fire company was organized on Charles Street off Passaic Avenue. They became known as Fire Engine Company No.1. This company was incorporated on March 8, 1908, and the Nicholson Street Fire Company on April 18th, 1908.

"In 1927 Hose Co.1 and Rescue Truck Co.1 moved to Liberty Street. “Fire Co. 1 moved in 1917 to their present fire house on Westervelt Place.

"The newest member of the fire department was organized in 1948, known as Hose Co.2..."