BYRAM TOWNSHIP FIRE DEPARTMENT
Professionally Volunteering Since 1948   

ALL CONTENT, INCLUDING ALL IMAGES AND PHOTOGRAPHY EXCEPT AS SPECIFICALLY NOTED, COPYRIGHT 2016, BYRAM TOWNSHIP FIRE DEPARTMENT, INC.

BYRAM TWP FIRE DEPARTMENT

225 Route 206 / PO Box 361

Andover, NJ 07821

973-347-2662
973-347-2666 (Fax)

info@Byramfd.com

History of the Cranberry Lake Volunteer Fire Department

On May 18,1947 Chief Mooney of the Andover Fire Department met with the Board of Governors of the Cranberry Lake Community Club to discuss the need to care for the roads and trails for fire equipment. Mr. Paul Blye suggested the formation of a committee to inspect properties with the Andover Fire Department and suggest changes and improvements for firefighting. The committee was chaired by Mr. Byle and included Messers Pansing, Ruehle and Pettit.

On June 22, 1947 Blye reported on a meeting with the 3 Fire Departments serving Cranberry Lake (Andover Stanhope and Netcong) and their inspection area. Ruehle prepared a co-ordinate map and a number would be Furnished each property owner for reporting fires.

On July 13, 1947 Blye reported the delivery of maps to each fire department and the State Police and 500.  Cards were authorized for distribution to residents.

On May 9, 1948 Blye reported that Marlow & Homelite Pumps seemed suitable, and urged the formation of a Fire Committee to use and store the pumps before purchase. A Committee was formed, Chaired by Ray Vorhies, and included Fred Pansing and Paul Blye to recommend purchase and deployment of equipment and a plan for the training on use and care of said equipment.

On July 11, 1948 Pansing reported that after conferences with the Andover Fire Department and demonstrations, the fire committee decided on pump, hose and equipment which was ordered for $980.00.  But more expenses would be required for a trailer and for housing the equipment.

On Aug 1948 Pansing reported that most of the equipment had been delivered and would be operational within 10 days and available for display at the annual meeting of the CLCC. The Club decided to get insurance for fire and liability.

The first official meeting of the Cranberry Lake Volunteer Fire Department was held on September 23, 1948 at the old Tamarack Inn on the corner of Route 31 (now Route 206) and Tamarack Road. Fred Pansing Sr., representing the Fire Protection Committee of the Cranberry Lake Community Club called this meeting for the express purpose of forming a Volunteer Fire Department.

Present at that meeting were the following:

 

Officers elected that night were:

 

That night, it was established that drills would be held on alternate Sundays starting September 26, 1948, and the regular meetings would be at the Tamarack Inn on the third Wednesday of every month. (As a point of interest the Cranbury, New Jersey Volunteer Fire Company was established 50 years earlier on September 13, 1898)

According to the Minutes from that first meeting, the C.L.C.C. was to furnish the basic equipment, and Russell Rose agreed to permit the usage of his land adjacent to his Hen House on North Shore Road, Cranberry Lake.

Horace Spranger, a realtor, donated $82.50 (proceeds from a lot raffled off on Labor Day) as starting funds for the New Department.

The first fire-fighting equipment consisted of a portable pump and trailer, which was housed temporarily in one of the old garages immediately South of the Cranberry Lodge on Route 31. Ironically the first major fire for the newly formed Department occurred in March 1949, and involved the same garage that housed their equipment. The frustrated new firemen from Cranberry had to call in the Stanhope and Andover Fire Departments to fight the blazing fire, while they watched their equipment burn!

On March 27, 1949 a delegation from the Cranberry Lake Fire Department met with the Club's Board of Governors.  Mr. Pansing reported the purchase of a 1926 Larabee Fire truck, with equipment, from the Chester Fire Department the previous summer by the Fire Committee for $150. Noting that a Fire Department had been formed with 40 members and that drills were held every second Sunday of the month. The Department wanted to incorporate and have the Club turn over its fire equipment and the balance of the fire protection funds. The Board of Governors agreed that a separate Fire Department was better and turned over the equipment and $150 in cash. They also an allowed the Department the use of the clubhouse once in July and once again in August.

At a special meeting called at the Cranberry Lodge on April 28, 1949 the department became incorporated as the Cranberry Lake Volunteer Department, Inc. At that time the C.L.C.C. turned over the remaining $230.09 in the clubs Fire Protection Fund with the stipulation that it be used for a building fund. At this meeting the regular drill night was changed to alternate Thursdays.

The regular meeting on May 18, 1949 the By-laws of the department were revised to meet the legal requirements of a corporation.

Shortly after this, the Department acquired their permanent site when Mrs. Susan Caulkins, a major landholder at Cranberry Lake, donated 60 feet of frontage on Route 31, and sold the remaining 150 feet to the Department for $300.00.

Plans for a new firehouse on the newly acquired property were submitted by Tom Forsyth at the October 11, 1949 meeting. The estimated cost of construction of the building approximately $4025.00. The original building, built primarily by the Department members, was finished and dedicated in October 1950.

The first truck, an old Laribee pumper, was supplemented a few years later by a second truck was purchased from Roselle Park, this was a 1927 American La France 1000 GPM pumper purchased for $825 with money lent to the Department by Mr. Gus Koninis, owner of the Cranberry Lodge at that time. This truck was later sold to Mr. Fred Hussey from Aeroflex Airport Corp. in Andover Township for use at the airport.

The major source of income in the early years, were the Clam Bake held every August and the Ad Subscription barn dance held at the Sussex Village Barn, Lake Illif every fall.  Other fundraisers were annual Venison Dinners at Cranberry Lodge, the monthly 50/50 and membership dues.  Each member was assessed $6.00 per year

At the regular meeting on October 21, 1952 a request from the Netcong Kiwanis to sponsor a Boy Scout Troop in Byram Township. Tom Mackerly volunteered to act as chairman with 4 others work on this project and thus began our long relationship with the Boy Scouts.

At the April 21, 1953 meeting, the members were admonished not to enter burning structures unless ordered to do so by the officer in charge. Dan Sutton requested the Department purchase masks. The membership authorized the purchase of 2 MSA canister-type gas masks. These masks would remain in use until Scott Air Packs were purchased. Also, at that meeting, a committee was appointed to look at replacing the Laribee. The first step in obtaining a new piece of apparatus.

The meeting of August 18, 1953 was a high point of the year as it was reported that the mortgage on the firehouse had been paid off with the suggestion of the burning of same be held at the annual clam bake.

On September 15, 1953, the election of officers was held under the new changes in the By-laws, creating a separation of firematic and administrative offices. The first elected President was Walter Foster, with George Beers Sr. as Vice-President.

A special meeting was held on November 11, 1953 to vote on the purchase of the new fire truck to be built by American LaFrance on a International chassis. The total cost of the vehicle would be $7731.00 including hose and other specified equipment. The purchase was approved and a contract with American-LaFrance was signed on the 16th of the month. The truck was delivered July 2, 1954 and remained in service until March 1979.

The first Bingo Games run by the Department was held on the 2nd  Saturday in June, 1954 and showed a loss of $13.65. Not a very good start for what was to become our major source of income until it was canceled.

In December the Department purchased the first generator paid for in part by the Ladies Auxiliary. It was installed in February, 1955. The total cost was $2035.00 including installation.

The following February 21, 1956 the Department voted to obtain a radio system. The RCA radio system was purchased for $2040.00. The system, consisting of a base station and 2 truck radios, went into operation the following May.

After many months of discussion (July 1957 to February 1958) the Department voted to build an addition on the firehouse. The cost of the addition was $8575.00. This addition is that part of the building known as the main bingo room.

At a special meeting held on May 4, 1959, the Department voted to purchase its second piece of modern apparatus. The truck committee was authorized to purchase a Maxim Model 2607C Triple Combination Pumper, open cab, 285 hp engine for $20,000.00. The truck was delivered on March 23, 1960 and underwent the Underwriters tests 2 days later.

In February 1961, it was proposed an addition be built on the rear of the firehouse to better facilitate the growing Bingo crowds. Primarily the rest rooms needed to be enlarged. This was approved by the membership and construction commenced the following month.

In May of 1961 the Department held their first Memorial Day Service at Cranberry Lake. This service continues today being canceled only twice due to extreme electrical storms in the area.

At the May 21, 1963 meeting that it was voted to add the second Thursday of each month as a house and grounds drill 

The July 16, 1963 the department voted to acquire a radio alarm system. The system would have 7 siren control sets and 13 radios by Plectron. The total cost including installation of protective boxes on the siren poles was $3000.00. Additional units would be purchased as finances became available until all members were so equipped and have 3 spares on hand. When all members were equipped all alarms after 7:00 p.m. until 7:00 a.m. would be by silent alarm.

At the October, 1963 the department voted to purchase a 1949 Dodge Tanker Truck with a capacity of 850 gallons. The purchase price was $400.00. After much work the truck was put into service in September 1964.

At the November 17, 1964 meeting the department voted to purchase 2 Scott Air Packs. They were put into service the following month.

The need of purchasing a utility truck for the department was brought up at the April 1965 meeting. A committee consisting of all line officers was appointed to make recommendations. The following August the department purchased an Intentional Truck Chassis the body was to be built to the specifications dictated by the department. The truck was delivered in January 1966.

On May 17, 1966 the department was notified that the town council had turned over the property on Lackawanna Drive to us for the construction of a new fire station. The following February, plans for the Proposed prefabricated building were approved, and the building was ordered at a cost of $13200.00. The following month, the Township gave the Department permission to remove the existing building on the Lackawanna property. The building was relocated at the Wolf Lake Boy Scout Camp by the joint effort of the Department and the adult scouters in June. The new building was ordered and constructed on the site. The building was dedicated on September 3, 1967.

At the June, 1967 meeting it was proposed that the department look into purchasing an additional truck to be housed at the new fire station along with the tanker.

At the July, 1967 meeting the By-Laws of the department were revised to create a separate category of Fire-Police. At that time the fire police were no longer required to be perform regular firematic duties. At that Meeting it was also pointed that out the new firehouse would require 2 additional officers in the Department.

At the October, 1967 meeting the Department on the recommendation of the truck committee voted to purchase a 1967 Ford Fire truck with a 750 GPM Hale Pump and a 500 gallon booster tank for $22500.00.

Delivery was to be made within 2 weeks. Engine 4 was put into service at the Lackawanna Firehouse in December.

In November, 1967 the department voted to purchase 2 additional Scott Air Packs and remove the existing canister type masks from the trucks.

In January 1969 the department obtained its second tanker. It was purchased from the Cheese Factory and consisted of a 2000 gallon stainless steel tank on a Ford Chassis. With the installation of a rotary beacon and radio it became operational as Tanker 5 in March and thus becoming the first yellow fire apparatus in the county. It was painted red and re-lettered the following November. The original tanker was designated Tanker 6..

In April 1970 the department replaced the original generator with a larger unit obtained through the Bell Telephone Company, In August the department formed 2 committees. The first to look into the purchase of a compressor to fill the Scott Air Bottles. The second to look into a replacement for the International (Truck 1).

In January 1971, the department voted to purchase a compressor for filling air bottles. Also at that meeting the department voted to authorize gold badges for the administrative officers.

By July 1973 because of the amount of repairs needed to keep to keep Tanker 6 in service it was voted to sell On September 2, 1973 the Department held an open house to celebrate the our 25* Anniversary. Charter members In attendance were; Bob Wolf, C.O. Johnson, Julius Hagelberg, Warren Dennis and Buz Kelting. Ex-Chiefs in attendance were Warren Dennis, Julias Hagelberg, Dan Sutton, Bummy Beers, C.O. Johnson, Joe Pierson, Dick Beers and Joe St. Angilo. At the opening ceremonies C.O. Johnson, representing the Township Committee, presented Chief John Murray with an official resolution wishing the department a Happy Birthday.

March 1974 the department voted to convert the Utility Truck 3 into a Mini-pumper. Cost for the conversion to be $1600.00. The conversion was completed in August of that year.

In December 1974 Tanker 5 was entered in the Custom Automobile Show at the Coliseum in NYC. It took 3rd place in the special interest class.

At the meeting of 23 October 1975, the membership discussed the possibility of joining the N.J. State Firemen’s Association. It was noted that the Township would be required to pass a resolution naming the Dept. the official fire department. It was also noted the Forrest Service needed a letter on our stationary to apply for a used 4-wheel drive brush truck. Bids on the new truck were reported out.

In the March 1976 meeting the subject of building a new firehouse or putting on an addition was discussed. A committee was formed to study the various options. A special meeting was held 30 September to discuss the proposed 40 by 80-foot addition. The plans were approved. The estimated cost of the addition was $32451.00.

At the February 1979 meeting the truck committee reported the replacement for the old International (Truck 1) would be basically the same as Truck 106 except it would have a 1500 gallon tank. The cost is approximately $110,000.00. By March 22, 1979 the cost of the addition plus renovations had risen to $43778.00.

In June the department purchased a used 1967 Dodge Power Wagon from the forest service. This was put in service as Brush Truck 107. At the same time the High-pressure pump and tank was removed from 103 and it reverted to its original role as a utility vehicle only.

In October 1979 the membership voted to join the State Exempt Firemen’s Association. The new Truck 101 was noted as being in service.

In December 1980 a committee was formed to research a replacement for Utility 3

At the March 1981 meeting it was reported that the old Truck #1 and the old generator had been sold. The membership voted to erect a new flagpole and Maltese Cross as a memorial to Betty Vogel. It was at this meeting the Department excepted membership to the State Firemen’s Association.

In August 1981 due to the cost of repairs to the old air compressor the department voted to replace the it with with a new unit for the cost of about $6000,00. At that meeting the department donated 4 Scott Air Packs to the Lakeland Rescue Squad as the department was converting to MSA.

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