at Midland Ave. and Argyle Pl. in 1897.  The old structure  was replaced in 1974 by the new modern style Headquarters building which houses Engine #3, Truck Co.#1, the Reserve Eng.#5, the Chief's Car #1, and the Inspector's vehicles.
   On Jan. 9, 1888, Central Hose Co. #1 was formed. They were housed on Tappan St. off Davis Ave. to the east, until Jan. 21, 1901, they moved to their present location at 47 Davis Ave. at the corner of  Devon Terrace.  They are still in the same building today.
   On Sept. 14, 1892 Highland Hose Co. #4 was formed.  Originally they were supposed to be housed on Highland Ave. north of Berlin St. (Liberty St.) on a lot offered by Township Committee member Henry C. Green.  Before a house could be built, Mr. John W. Roche offered a 5-year lease, for $1.00 per year, to the Township for two lots on the south side of  Halstead St. west of Kearny Ave.  Erected in 1895, this is the oldest standing Fire House in Kearny and is used by the Exempts and the F.M.B.A as a meeting hall.
     In 1912, the first motor driven apparatus was purchased, in the form of a Chemical Car.  It was also used as the Chief's Car.  This purchase brought about the hiring of the first Paid member of the Fire Department.  Thomas Croker was appointed to the job of Chief's Driver and was paid an annual salary of  $1050.00.
 In 1915 the first Hose Wagon, Pumping & Chemical Engine was purchased and put
into service.  Thomas Rogers was appointed as Engine #3 Driver, with an annual salary of $1500.00.  He became the second Paid member.
 On August 8,1899 The Gamewell Fire Alarm system was put into service with a
number of boxes throughout the growing town. Over the years, with the addition of a new switchboard, transmitter and repeater and additional boxes, by 1913, there were thirty-three boxes. This system needed to be maintained, George M. Smack was appointed to the job on December 15,1917 at an annual salary of $1600.00.  He was the third Paid member.  By the end of July 1919, there were 21 Paid members in the volunteer ranks. In 1919 Station #4 was opened.  It was a combined Police Station and Fire House, on the old Lincoln Highway (now routes 1 & 9), serving the South Kearny district of industry and ship building yards.
  On August 11, 1921, Knowlton F. Pierce was appointed Chief Engineer of the fully
paid Kearny Fire Department.  The members worked a 96 hour per week schedule
consisting of  3 ten-hour day shifts, then a 24 hour shift, then 3 fourteen-hour night shifts and then 24 hours off duty.
 

 Since becoming a full paid department the men who have been
 appointed to the Chief of the Department are:
Knowlton F Piece 1921 - 1931
  John Lone  1931 - 1932
  Walter Scott  1932 - 1942
  William G. Wandras 1942 - 1960
  John M. Sherlock 1960 - 1965
  Joseph W. Philips     1965 - 1988
  Vincent DiRenzo 1989 - 1995
  Bart   Bevins  1997 – 2001
  Joseph Lapsanski 2001- July, 2007
Acting Chief Steve Dyl - July 2007 - present

 Also, I would like to note that in the time prior to Chief DiRenzo's appointment, and
also prior to the appointment of Chief Bevins, Deputy Chief George J. Harris was the
Acting Chief of the Department.

Deputy Chief George Carotenuto was appointed temporary chief of the Department before the appointment of Chief Joseph Lapsanski.

  In 1921 the membership of the department was as follows:
  1 Chief
  1 Assistant Chief
  1 Superintendent of  Repairs
  1 Superintendent of  Drills
  1 Superintendent of  Fire Alarm
  6 Captains
  73 Firefighters
Total Personnel - 84
 

In 1961 the Town appointed 32 new  members to create a four platoon system. This also
set the current work schedule we have today consisting of two 10-hour day shifts and two
14-hour night shifts.

 In 1967 the membership was as follows:
  1  Fire Chief
4  Deputy Chiefs
1  Chief Inspector Bureau of Combustibles
   3  Inspectors
  1  Deputy Chief Drill Master
1  Maintenance Mechanic
   1  Mechanic Helper
  1  Fire Alarm Superintendent
1  Carpenter-Repairman
  1  Assistant  Superintendent
29  Fire Captains
  3  Fire Alarm Linemen
98  Firefighters
1  Administrative Clerk
           Total Personnel - 146

 In 1988 ( the Departments 100th Anniversary) the membership was as follows:
  1  Fire Chief
4  Deputy Chiefs
1 Chief Inspector Bureau of Combustibles
   3  Inspectors
  1  Deputy Chief Training
1  Administrative Clerk
  1  Fire Alarm Superintendent
2  Maintenance Mechanics
  1  Assistant Superintendent
1  Carpenter-Repairman
  4  Fire Alarm Linemen
29    Fire Captains
  98    Firefighters
 Total Personnel - 147
 

 
In 1997  the membership is as follows:
  1  Fire Chief
1  Chief  Inspector  Bureau of Combustibles
2 Deputy Chiefs
2  Inspectors
2  Battalion Chiefs
2  Mechanics
  1  Lineman
17  Fire Captains
  4 Fire Lieutenants
67  Firefighters
Total Personnel - 100
*  One  Captain is the Training Officer.
** By mid 1997 the Battalion Chiefs were promoted to Deputy Chief and
 Lieutenants were promoted to Captains.   
 

  In 2005  the membership is as follows:
1  Fire Chief,
1 Chief  Inspector  Bureau of Combustibles
5  Deputy Chiefs
1  Mechanic
25  Fire Captains
 67  Firefighters
Total Personnel - 100
One  Captain is the Training Officer.
 

    Through the course of the years it is unfortunate that we have had two
 men who gave their lives in the line of duty.

             Robert E. Ball  ** November  12, 1973
             Emmanuel  Gennace  **  December  24, 1977

"Their Bravery Lives  On  With  All  Of  Us  Forever."

 

Today, we have four stations serving an area of nine square miles with a population of approximately 39,000.  Consisting of  residential buildings of all sizes up to five stories, with light industry mixed throughout, there are 11 schools, 21 places of worship, one hospital and one health care facility in the main area of residency.  This area has a population density of about 12,500 per square mile. The rest of the makeup of the town consists of heavy industry, including chemical plants, rail yards, trucking hubs, a large power generating plant, large U.S. Postal transfer, N.J. Transit switching and maintenance facility, the Hudson County  Jail and a large area of marshland (government protected bird sanctuary). There are also four major volume highways to cover, the N.J.Turnpike from just north of exit 15E north (on two extensions) to just south of 16W and 16E, Interstate 280, truck routes 1&9, and the Pulasky Skyway.
 All members are trained as EMTs, all apparatus are equipped with oxygen and patient stabilization and monitoring equipment.  We respond as First Responders to supplement the EMS services for the town. As of December 1997 all members were trained in defibrillation and new defibrillation units were added to all apparatus.

 

Station 1
49 Davis Avenue:
Engine 1
1997   E-One  Top Mount
 
  Station 2:
   109 Kearny Avenue:
Engine 2
 1997  E-One  Top Mount

 Truck  2
2003  American LaFrance Ladder Tower

Car  2 (Deputy Chief)    2002  GMC Envoy

  Station 3 Headquarters :
   109 Midland Avenue:
Engine 3
1990  E-One

Ladder 1
1990 E-One 110ft

 Reserve Engine 5
1980  Mack
 
  Station 4
 Hackensack Avenue
 Engine 4
1980  Mack
                     
 

*** this page  put together by  Mike ( Kramer) Kaywork,  firefighter with Kearny.***