HISTORY OF THE LAMBS TERRACE VOLUNTEER FIRE CO. No. 1

Compiled by George Spain and Edwin Brown
(2004 Update)
One night in the early summer of 1916 four men of Lambs Terrace were sitting on the bridge between Lambs Terrace and Turnersville talking about how they could best serve their community. One of the men suggested that they start a fire company. On August 10, 1916 these four men, John Deaner,William Walton, Patrick Hagen, and George Avery Sr., became the four original charter members of the Lambs Terrace Volunteer Fire Company No. 1.



The first meetings of the Fire Company were held at the home of John Deaner until a suitable frame building could be erected to hold meetings and house fire apparatus. The members themselves built this fire house on Poplar Street. After construction was completed and a piece of fire apparatus was acquired from Westmont Fire Company, the members put all effort into paying off all debts. The membership had just completed paying for everything when, during the winter of 1925, in the dead of night, the firehouse burned to the ground with a total loss of building and apparatus. Always showing the ability to get ahead and to never give up, the Fire Company members worked hard at every possible moment to rebuild the firehouse.

By the end of 1925, the members themselves had once again erected a firehouse. The building was constructed of concrete block, measuring 40 feet by 21 feet, with a lined interior and a hardwood floor. This original building stands today as part of Station #1 on Poplar Street. New apparatus was purchased and on October 8, 1927, the entire community attended a ceremony dedicating the new building and the housing of a new American LaFrance Brockway Torpedo. At that time, this engine was “state of the art” in that it carried 140 gallons of chemical, hose, extinguishers, and various other equipment and was capable of obtaining up to 45 miles per hour. This apparatus faithfully served the Lambs Terrace community for over 30 tears.



After delivery of above apparatus on July 28, 1927, the Gloucester Township Committee sent a letter stating that they recognize the Company as a “first class fire fighting unit in possession of a first class apparatus”. On August 4, 1927, Lambs Terrace Fire District containing 242 houses was granted by the Gloucester Township Committee. Of interest in 1928, the Township Committee issued a $3,000 fire budget that was evenly distributed among the four Township Companies. It should be noted that the Lambs Terrace Volunteers at this time paid for their own equipment as well as for apparatus maintenance, gas, and oil. This apparatus was purchased from the Company by the Township for $680 in July, 1928.



During March of 1946, the Township of Gloucester purchased a 1942 Chevrolet Great Eastern 250 GPM pumper for the Fire Company. The addition of this second engine caused the firehouse hardwood floor to sag so badly that it had to be replaced. Once again the members responded to the call by installing a concrete floor on September 20, 1947.

PHOTO SEE GEORGE SPAIN

During the regular Company meeting held on October 25, 1951 the classification of Junior member was created. The approved motion was to admit a maximum of three (3) men under 18 years of age but over 16 years of age as Juniors. These men are not permitted to drive the apparatus and have no voice on the floor. On November 8, 1951 Ralph Spain was admitted as the first Junior member.

In early 1952 the Fire Company saw the need for a four wheel drive type vehicle to fight the numerous woods and grass fires within the district. On April 15, 1951 the Company purchased a 1942 Army Weapons Carrier. This purchase exhausted the entire Company treasury except for $3.37. Gradually over the next year this vehicle was outfitted for fire fighting including hose which was original equipment on the 1927 American chemical truck and placed into service for a total cost of $1200.

PHOTO SEE PHOTO WALL OF STATION 1 OR GEORGE SPAIN

During 1951, with the generous help of the Ladies Auxiliary, the members constructed a kitchen addition with basement on the rear of the firehouse. The completion of this kitchen allowed the Fire Company to expand its fundraising efforts with dinners and related activities.

Up until 1951, the fire siren could only be sounded by pushing the button on the front of the fire house. During the latter part of that year, the membership began to investigate various alarm systems that would provide a quicker response. Under the guidance of George Spain Sr. discussions were held, decisions made, and an electrician was contracted to install a siren with a remote control operating button. This remote button was located in the house opposite the firehouse, the home of Edward and Jane Turner. Residents could now call the Turner’s to report a fire. On April 10, 1952 the Turner’s operated the siren for the first time. Lambs Terrace Fire Company had its first Central Dispatch.

On August 6, 1956 the Fire Company placed a new 1956 International Great Eastern 600 GPM pumper into service. This engine was purchased by Gloucester Township at a cost of $14,180.00. This was the original 851 and served the Company continually for over 24 years.

PHOTO SEE GEORGE SPAIN

By 1962, the Fire Company members saw the need for a second four wheel drive brush vehicle. In November, a new 1963 Jeep chassis was ordered. This chassis was delivered in February, 1963 and placed in the garage of Robert Eubanks. Over the next five months, the Company members built the entire body, installed the water tank, hose reel, and pump. In June, the Fire Company placed its very own custom built brush truck into service at a total cost to the Township of $4,300.00, 856. And serve the community it did! It fought all kinds of brush fires in the area for over 17 years until it was retired in 1980.

PHOTO SEE GEORGE SPAIN

During 1964 and 1968, the Fire Company built additions to Station #1. The last addition brought the building to its current size with a separate apparatus area and meeting room.



The new apparatus room was quickly filled by the delivery of a 1968 Ford Great Eastern 750 GPM pumper on December 28, 1968, Engine 852. This purchase was rather unique as this was the first fire engine in Gloucester Township with an automatic transmission, perhaps even the first in Camden County. This vehicle, affectionately known as “Russ’s Truck” was purchased to accommodate Russ Turner’s special need to drive a vehicle without a clutch. Hundreds of times a year Russ drove our first out engine.(Russ lived next door to the Station) This engine was purchased by Gloucester Township at a cost of $29,987.00.

PHOTO SEE PHOTO WALL IN STATION 1 OR GEORGE SPAIN

It became obvious during 1972 the original brush truck of the Company, the Weapons Carrier, had to be replaced. Over 20 years of service had taken its toll. A 1974 Ford 250 was purchased by Gloucester Township and outfitted for brush and woods fire fighting. This vehicle was placed into action during August of 1974 and presently is in reserve service as Power Wagon 855. This vehicle has served the community well for 30 years. In addition, it has won numerous trophies in both State and Municipal parades.

SEE PHOTO WALL OF STATION 1 OR GEORGE SPAIN

November, 1977 saw the Fire Company complete one of the most important steps in its history. During that month Gloucester Township Council adopted an ordinance which created Fire District #5. A $42,000.00 fire budget was formulated , drafted, and approved by the residents of the district. A Board of Fire Commissioners was elected to oversee the fire district’s operation. For the first time, the Fire Company was assured of adequate financial support for its fire suppression and fire prevention operations.

The initial years of fire district operation saw rapid improvements and advancements within the areas of firefighter training, protective gear, and equipment. It was during the late 1970’s that the basic groundwork was laid for the eventual construction of another fire station. Under the quittance of Chief Edward Turner the Fire Company proved to everyone that it was a professional organization.

A direct result of fire district operation saw the Fire Company specify and order a new fire engine to replace the aging 1956 International, 851. During May of 1980, the Fire Company accepted delivery of and placed in service a 1980 Pierce Ford 1000 GPM pumper, Engine 853. This engine has proved its worth many times over the last 24 years and remains in service today as the initial attack vehicle responding from Station #1.

The early 1980’s saw the Fire Company and the fire district move forward with plans to construct another, more centrally located, fire station. More and more housing developments continued to be built in the district and this area started to attract commercial and industrial properties. If the Fire Company was to continue to deliver efficient fire a new fire station was a must.

Our road to the construction of a new fire station, however, was not an easy one. The planning process to gain all the necessary state, county, and municipal approvals took much longer than ever anticipated. Included within the approval process was the infamous dinosaur bone and artifact study that the state required. Three times the proposed station was advertised for bid. Three times the cost came back higher than what was budgeted. Finally, through negotiations, we were able to deliver a fire station at a price we could afford. Contracts were signed and a ground breaking was held in November, 1988. On August 7, 1989, the Lambs Terrace Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 officially began operating from Station #2.

In 1989, the Fire Company obtained a 1972 International Metrovan from Ashland Fire Company. Through many volunteer hours of hard work, the firefighters refurbished and properly equipped this vehicle to perform vehicle and miscellaneous rescue assignments. This vehicle provided many years of service to the Company before being retired when the rescue equipment was installed on an engine.

The Fire Company continued with its upgrade of fire apparatus for the fire district with the specification and ordering of a new pumper during 1989. Engine 852 was starting to show its age and another engine was needed to supplement the fleet. In May of 1990 the Fire Company accepted delivery of a 1990 Pierce Lance 1250 GPM pumper, the new 851. Engine 851 continues to be our first responding engine from Station #2.

In 1996 the Company initiated the second most important step in its history. It was becoming apparent to all that volunteer firefighters were finding it increasingly difficult to adequately man the stations 24 hours per day, seven days per week. This was due to increasing work and family demands on the volunteers time. And this was not limited to Lambs Terrace; all the surrounding companies were running into the same problem. To supplement the volunteers in ensuring that the residents of District #5 were provided world class fire suppression and fire prevention service on a 24/7 basis, the Board of Fire Commissioners authorized the hiring of career firefighters. On November 04, 1996 George Flinn, Ken Bonk, and Steve Fisher became the first District #5 firefighters. The total number of career firefighters currently is five, including Fire Official Joe Rodano.

In keeping pace with the district’s growing residential and commercial, as well as educational facility needs, specifications were drawn up for a new Quint apparatus in 1997 to be added to the existing fleet of fire apparatus. In August of 1998 the Fire Company accepted delivery of a RD Murray quint with a 75 foot Aerial Innovations ladder, a 1500 GPM Hale pump as well as water tank and hose carrying capability, Ladder 854. This apparatus is currently the first out piece from station #2.

In 2003, the Company recognized the need for a water rescue unit due to the large number of lakes in our district. Through the generosity of a local service club and district builder, the Company was able to obtain a Zodiac boat, motor, and trailer. Water rescue training is currently underway and it is anticipated that this unit will be placed in service during 2004.

In June of 2002 the Company established a New Truck Committee and charged it with developing a twenty year plan of apparatus requirements to ensure that the volunteer and career personnel have the most technologically current equipment to provide world class fire suppression and prevention services to the residents of District #5. The initial result of this committee’s efforts is a schedule of planned apparatus replacement in a most cost effective manner, the first phase of which is the ordering of a 1500 GPM pumper in 2004 and the retirement of engine 853 and power wagon 855.