In June of 2004 the Fair Haven Fire Company Celebrated 100 years of service to the Borough of Fair Haven with a large parade and after party on the firehouse grounds at 645 River Road. Many departments from New Jersey came out to show support. Brookdale Community College also created a documentary on the history of the department and the day celebrated.
Present Day, the Fair Haven Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 operates with three Class “A” Pumpers (1500 Gallons Per Minute), an Air-Rescue Unit, a Water Rescue Truck, three boats used jointly between Fire Department and First Aid, and two Command Vehicles given to the Chief and Deputy Chief of the Department respectively. A Fire Police Unit Consisting of a utility truck and Fire Police Captain’s vehicle, and First Aid Squad consisting of two ambulances and a First Aid First Responder Unit also fall under the Fair Haven Fire Department as their own organizations including an Auxiliary which supports the Company when called upon.
With respect to her many years of service and reliability, as well as the amount of generations and awards she has earned, the Fair Haven Fire Department’s former second due piece, the 1954 American Lafrance “Quad”, has since been acquired by the Fire Company upon her retirement in 2008 after “54” years and is now used as a parade piece and funeral truck. A 2008 Pierce Velocity “Quad” has since taken over her duties as second due and was the first engine built with the now mandated completely enclosed cab to ensure firefighter safety. This engine features an eight man cab, a 177 feet of ground ladders, LED lighting, and 1500 GPM pump, 500 Gallon Water Tank, and much needed compartment space.
In 2009, a new building was erected adjacent to the main building as an addition to an existing storage building that once housed the Air-Rescue and Water Rescue Units and equipment. This building was built at the time to further add more storage space and secure the now department maintained “Antique Quad” pumper. This building was built in anticipation down the road of larger apparatus and further storage needs associated with newer fire apparatus.
In 2014, a New Truck Committee was once again formed to begin the process of building a “New” first due engine to respond to all calls in Fair Haven taking over from the 1981 Pierce which members no longer can ride tailboard. In 2015 it was decided after careful and strategic decision to retire the nearly forty year old Mack CF which has served the department well. This engine was officially removed from service April 21st of 2016.
In March of 2016, a new Pierce Enforcer, eight man cab, Class “A” engine 1500 GPM/500 GWT pumper arrived and was officially placed in service as first due to all calls on April 21st 2016. This pumper now has all the most up to date technology currently in the department and can fit down all streets in town. Upon replacing the Mack and 35 year old Pierce’s duty of first due, the 1981 Pierce Arrow has since been pushed to third due or the final engine out of the house when needed. This pumper will now acts as the hydrant hog or act as a backup to the new first due when it is serviced. A “Wetdown”, a tradition that which firefighter’s christen a new piece of apparatus, was held on June 3rd of 2016 for the new apparatus and two new 2016 Chevy Tahoe Command vehicles; one for the Fire Chief and one for the First Aid Captain.
The Fire Department now responds out of the rear building as the need for space to operate and store equipment has since increased as anticipated. The main building is still active for the remainder of the organizations, also housing the now third due pumper.
The 110th Anniversary of the Fire Company was held in June of 2014.