Defiance Engine
Company 3
Hopatcong Fire Department
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History
1934-1981
| When Company No. 3 was activated, a 1926 American LaFrance Pumper and an Old Chevrolet Hose Truck without a pump was turned over to the Company from the No. 1 Company. The Chevrolet Hose Truck was primarily used as a Tender. The Old No. 3 Firehouse was built by the men, under E.R.A. and dedicated in August 1935. In 1947 a U.S. Army Surplus Pumper was purchased from the Army Depot in Schenectady New York for $300. The same year a 1,000 gallon tank was mounted on this pumper, thereby transforming it into a tanker. Hopatcong thereby had the first tanker for fire service in the area. Having this tanker saved at least five houses during the very first year. These houses might have been lost without it, since it made the time consuming job of laying long lines to the lake unnecessary. Around 1950 another used 1928 American LaFrance was obtained by Charles Thompson. It had the same size pump and in general looked almost the same as the old 1926. The old 1926 was put in the back lot, stripped of parts and eventually sold for junk. In 1955 the Mayor and Council purchased a brand new 750 gallon International Pumper and turned it over to Company No. 3 in October 1955. This same Pumper, 151, remained in service as first due until 1991. |
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Old Engine 151 |
| The U.S. Army Surplus Tanker was then turned over to the just activated No. 4 Company. In 1956 another U.S. Army Surplus Pumper was purchased from the Army Depot in Fort Dix for $300. This pumper was in very good condition. The 1928 American LaFrance was sold to Stanley Shustin for $500. |
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152 without Indian Tanks |
| For the purpose of fighting brush fires, the Company purchased in 1955 a 1943 6-wheel Army Personnel and Weapons Carrier and by adding an 80 gallon pump and a 450 gallon water tank converted it into a very efficient brush truck. A deck gun was later added to the truck to handle fires that neede large amounts of water. The work was done entirely by the men themselves. The cost of the conversion was $2,300 and was paid for with Company funds. The Mayor and Council officially accepted the brush truck in October 1956. This brush Truck, known as 152, is still to date in service. By entering the truck into parades , the truck at numerous times was taken apart, piece by piece, reassembled, repainted and kept in mint condition. Trophies won by this truck attest to this. |
| The 1955 International Pumper, the Brush Truck and the U.S. Army Surplus Pumper were housed in the No. 3 Firehouse. Quarters were very cramped; every time a Company meeting was held, the equipment had to be moved outside. Due to the cramped quarters and with the Army Pumper, having served it's purpose, it was decided to give it to a new Fire Company from Portland, Pa. This Company was just organized and in need of equipment |
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Old 159 was purchased yellow |
| In 1975 the Mayor and Council purchased 159. It was a Custom Mack-CF-Tele Squirt equipped with a 50' telescoping ladder, a 500 gallon water tank and a waterous 1250 gal per min 2-stage pump. It was added to the Company's equipment and until the completion of the new No. 3 Firehouse, this truck was housed in the Borough Garage. To operate this truck training had to be set up not only for drivers and pump operators, but also for ladder operators. |
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Old 160 in a parade |
| A Utility Rescue Truck, 160, with 4 500 watt Quartz lights, self-contained generator and winch was purchased from Roxbury Fire Company No. 2, Port Morris in 1981. In the meantime the building process of the new firehouse on Hopatchung Rd. was complete and the Company moved into its new quarters on June 15, 1977, and the first official meeting of Company No. 3 at the new firehouse was held on July 11, 1977. |
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Above picture is of the entire Dept. on the first day in the new building. |
