| The first fire apparatus
acquired by the Wildwood Crest Fire Company No. 1 was a hand-drawn
hose cart purchased in early 1911. This 1915 photo shows the
hose cart with two long playpipes mounted on the front. The
playpipes are still owned by the company and are displayed in the
new fire company
museum. Click on
photos to enlarge. In 1912, a hand-drawn
ladder cart was built by Mr. Cal Augan. (Photo 1915) The
hose cart and the ladder cart were housed in the first firehouse, a
garage attached to the first borough hall at 6006 Pacific Avenue.
The first motorized apparatus, a chemical & hose
wagon, was added in 1915. It is believed that this truck
served until the 1930s, but the company has no photos of it. A
new 2-bay firehouse was built in 1925 at 6001 Pacific Avenue.
In 1927, a 1000 gallon-per-minute American
LaFrance pumper was purchased. This truck was retired in 1962,
but is still owned by the company. It became known as "Old
Betsy" and was completely refurbished in 2000. Old Betsy
is currently displayed in the fire company's museum bay at the
firehouse.
In early 1935, a new Dodge chassis was purchased
for $500.00, and two members, Thomas Young and Edward Hendricks,
added the body. The company's new chemical and ladder truck
was housed with Old Betsy. Unfortunately, the company has no
photo of this truck, which was in service until 1952, when it was
replaced by a new American LaFrance 750 gallon-per-minute Quad
ladder truck.
A building boom in the late 1950s and early 1960's
caused the company to acquire additional fire-fighting equipment.
In 1959, a 1000 gpm pumper was added, and in 1962,
a 1250 gpm pumper 'replaced' "Old Betsy". These two
apparatus forced the construction of a 2-bay addition to the
firehouse in 1962.
In 1964, a parade and truck housing celebrated the
acquisition of the two new pumpers.
A year later, a 1965 International step van was
added and placed in service to carry additional equipment and
turnout gear.
In 1969, expansion continued with the addition of
a 80-ft Snorkel truck, also an American LaFrance. The new
snorkel was housed following a firemen's parade and celebration.
At this time, the company had six trucks,
including "Old Betsy", and the expanded firehouse was again
overflowing.
1973 saw the replacement of the '52 quad with a
new American LaFrance 1500 gpm 'Mini-Quad' - so-called because, like
a quad, it carried additional ground ladders but on a smaller pumper-sized
body. This was the first diesel-powered apparatus.
Updating continued in 1978 with the purchase of a
1500 gpm American LaFrance pumper to replace the 1959 LaFrance.
In 1993, a Zodiak inflatible boat was placed in service, initially for use on flooded streets. Later, a 25hp motor and other equipment was added to expand the craft's capabilities in the back bays. |
