News Department

Glen Gardner Fire Company celebrates 100 years

GLEN GARDNER BOROUGH, NJ (Hunterdon County) – The year 2023 marks a big milestone for the Glen Gardner Fire Company as it celebrates its centennial.

On Sunday, January, 15, it marked the fire company’s 100 anniversary of service to Glen Gardner Borough and surrounding areas, according to the Glen Gardner Fire Company.

The events that would lead up to the founding of the organization started in 1901 with a train derailment which in turn started a massive oil fire that would destroy a large section of the town. To battle this fire, multiple pieces of apparatus came in from near and far by rail.

A bucket brigade was immediately formed that would grow to what would be officially organized into the Glen Gardner Vol. Fire Company No.1 on the of night January 15, 1923.

In the beginning, they would hold meetings in the P.O.S. of A. Hall and members would respond from their homes with fire buckets to try and quell fires in the beginning stages. In the Fall of 1923, after numerous fundraising events the company purchased land from the Deremer Family on Main Street and had a 2-bay firehouse constructed to house our first piece of apparatus, a Model T truck with chemical extinguishers and fire buckets.

From these humble beginnings, their department has grown significantly throughout the passing of time.

The department’s home on Main Street has changed to accommodate apparatus and the community as it also served as the town meeting hall.

“Throughout the years we’ve always tried to give back to the community with events as they have always supported us through it all. From our inception, whenever the call came out for help, we were there always ready to lend a hand,” the fire company said.

Traditionally, the department has done a lot of in-house projects with apparatus, buildings, and innovations, something that still carries on to this day. They built multiple pieces of apparatus in the forms of brush trucks, a tanker, support units, and built the additions on to the original station to accommodate their needs as they grew.

“As with traditions, we’ve had multiple generations of families and large families here to serve their neighbors whenever in need. None of our growth and progress would have been possible without the support from everyone throughout the years,” the fire company said.

In 2003, with the new station completed on Route 31, Glen Gardner performed a massive renovation to their humble home on Main Street making the Borough Hall what it is today.

“Throughout the passage of time and with the ever-changing challenges of the fire service our organization has always been there mastering tactics and skills specific to our coverage areas. Our deep ties with the community have never been forgotten and we continue to be here ready to serve,” the fire company said.

The fire department is in the process of planning a celebration for the warmer weather.

Jay Edwards

Born and raised in Northwest NJ, Jay has a degree in Communications and has had a life-long interest in local radio and various styles of music. Jay has held numerous jobs over the years such as stunt car driver, bartender, voice-over artist, traffic reporter (award winning), NY Yankee maintenance crewmember and peanut farm worker. His hobbies include mountain climbing, snowmobiling, cooking, performing stand-up comedy and he is an avid squirrel watcher. Jay has been a guest on America’s Morning Headquarters,program on The Weather Channel, and was interviewed by Sam Champion.

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