By: Richard L. Smith
On Saturday, the Paramus Fire Company 4, located on Farview Avenue, celebrated their 100-year anniversary serving the Borough of Paramus.
Paramus Chief of Police Kenneth R. Ehrenberg said more than 190 people were in attendance for the all-day celebration, which began with an afternoon barbeque that included fun and games for all members of the company and their guests.
A dedication service was held in which Ex-chief William Comery presented the Fire Company with a siren that has been restored and is now on display in front of the firehouse.
According to Chief Kenneth R. Ehrenberg this siren was originally mounted on a utility pole in the borough and served as a signaling device to alert members of a call in the days before radios.
To conclude the ceremony, Mayor Richard LaBarbiera made a proclamation.
The night ended with members past and present reminiscing and sharing stories of their history with the fire company over dinner.
Chief Kenneth R. Ehrenberg said Fire Company 4 was organized in 1911, four years later they incorporated as Rochelle Heights Hook & Ladder Company 1. Fire Company 4 was born when Midland Township split in 1922 to become the Borough of Paramus and Rochelle Park Township.
Fire Company 4 member Carl Van Binsberger served as the first Department Chief in 1935 and served a second term in 1945.
“We had $1,300 in our Treasury and started to build a new firehouse.
We did most of the building and labor, raising money to pay for it by having fairs, socials and raffles.” A quote from the original ledger as found in The Paramus Fritz Behnke Historical Museum.
The house next door was purchased in 1972 and an addition was put on the firehouse in 1974 to house additional fire trucks.
Today Company 4 still calls this their home, they house two fire apparatus Engine 4 and Truck 4 in the addition and a third, Engine 44 is housed in the original bay.