About North Brunswick Township

        About North Brunswick Fire Department

        The Birth of North Brunswick Volunteer Fire/Ladder Company #3

Founded in 1761, North Brunswick is located in Middlesex County, New Jersey, midway between New York City and Philadelphia. It is culturally diverse, covering 12.44 square miles with a population of approximately 33,000. North Brunswick consists of residential (single family houses, apartments, condos, townhouses, and multi-family), commercial (several strip malls, large national chain stores, restaurants, movie theater, bowling alley), and industrial facilities (J&J, American Cancer, and so on). Amtrak and Conrail lines bisect the town and two major highways (Route 1 and Route 130) also cut through the town.

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The township of North Brunswick consists of three (3) volunteer fire companies. Company #1 which is located off of Georges Road. Company #2 which is located on Route 130, and Company #3 located on Cozzens Lane. These three fire companies work together to provide fire protection to the entire township of North Brunswick.

This site has been commissioned to provide the citizens of North Brunswick Township with valuable information about the life and property protection services provided by the department. It is important to note that the North Brunswick Fire Department is a volunteer organization and is always looking for new members.  All interested applicants may contact us for more information.

It is also important to remember that the North Brunswick Fire Department relies heavily on funds raised through special events as well as those funds donated by the community. The Department DOES NOT rely on a fire tax which is paid by many surrounding communities to support their local departments. We ask for your support in continuing the outstanding level of readiness that we have achieved for many years.

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March, 1958 - Fairlawn Inn, Route 27

A group of concerned citizens and home owners, led by Matt Witkowski held informal meetings and discussions about the rapid growth of the Route 27 area without any fire protection on this side of town. Other area residents attending were Tom Eckert, Jack Shaughnessy, Ray Criss, Warren Eckert, Charles Bohoboy, Harold Boyer, Richard Ungerbuller.

The outcome of these meetings was to try to start a Fire Co. in this area. An ad was put in the Home News "Volunteers Needed for a Fire Co. Please contact Matt Witkowski"

About two months later a much larger group met at the Fairlawn Inn, Route 27. Mr. Paul Palvis provided us with a room free of charge. After a few more meetings a slate of officers were elected.

 
Charter members listed alphabetically:

Of all the above charter members who are still alive and active are: Joseph J. Brill, Sr., Ray Criss, Matthew J. Witkowski. We lost A.J. Dehner age 85 on Feb. 13, 1988.

In the year 1959, we were invited to use the Adams Community Club building located on Cozzens Lane & Route 1. Many residents in this area were willing to join. We had a large turnout. Papers of the incorporation were filed by Morris Roth, Esq. on Sept. 15, 1959.

Our first line officers were:

Business Officers:

We purchased a second hand pumper (1948 Chevrolet, 250 gal.) from North Haledon which held 1,000 gallons of water. Cost $2,700. Al Covino gave us space in a large garage to house our truck & equipment. Our first siren was donated by Fire Co. #2 and was erected by the Adams Athletic Club building. Used equipment (hoses, boots, coats, etc.) was provided to us from Co. #1. The Township at that time set aside $10,000 a year for fire protection. When Co. #3 was recognized as a fire company they alloted $12,000.

The next project was to secure a site to build a fire house. The Township proposed a track of land at Route 27 & Broadway Rd., 160' frontage on Route 27 and 140' on Broadway Rd., in addition the Company was given a lot off Harold St. between the Six Mile Run and the old cemetery as sites for the siren. All the above was voiced by acting Mayor Fred Gilbert. The Fire Co. wanted a portion of the Messmahl Tract off Cozzens Lane which was owned by the Board of Education; this deal fell through because the Board was going to build an elementary school on it.

Another objection was raised by Albert DeVries about the Route 27 and Broadway Rd. area. He had planned to acquire this property for expansion of his nursery business. The final outcome was a swap of land to A. DeVries for payment on land where we now stand.

First recorded fire - January 30, 1962, which was a field fire at the Pardun Woods, Route 130, TIME OUT 3:50 P.M. TIME IN 4:25 P.M. Responding members: Joe Giaritelli, Bob Kish, Lou Krieck, Al Covino, J.J. Brill and Bob Heuer.

History - Research - Committee
Joseph J. Brill, Sr.
Joseph Giaritelli
Matthew Witkowski
Edna Eckert, Ladies Auxiliary
for typing

North Brunswick Volunteer Fire/Ladder Co. No. 3
Membership List - Listed Alphabetically
Adams Community Club - 1959

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