History

On April 6, 1928, thirteen men gathered at S.D. Hurley's Cement Block Plant on Monmouth Ave in Spring Lake Heights, with a dream of organizing and financing a fire department within the borough of Spring Lake Heights. Mr Hurley's Building would serve as a temporary meeting place until land could be purchased and a building constructed. With meetings held every 2 weeks, the newly formed organization conducted election of executive officers and formed committees and name themselves, Independent Fire Company of Spring Lake Heights at the second meeting. This name would later be changed to Independent Fire Company No. 1 Spring Lake Heights as it would appear on the Charter of Incorporation.


  • April 6, 1928 - First meeting of record, S.D. Hurley Appointed Temp Chairman and Guy Holtzman Temp Secretary,
  • April 20, 1928 - Executive Officers elected. President S.D Hurley. Committees established. Name Decided as "Independent Fire Company of Spring Lake Heights"
  • May 9, 1928 - First Fire Company Badges Ordered (35 Active, 50 Honorary, 8 Fire Police) First fund raiser (Cake Sale) scheduled for May 19th at the Spring Lake Laundry on 3rd Ave.
  • May 28, 1928 - Ways and Means Committee given power to purchase lots on the corner of 6th & Essex Avenues from Tim Hurley.
  • June 8, 1928 - Ways and Means Committee reported purchasing 2 lots on the Northeast corner of 6th & Essex Ave (where the current fire station still currently sits) for at a cost of $900.
  • July 13, 1928 - SLH Firemen pull Manasquan H&L wagon in Bradley Beach parade
  • July 27, 1928 - Resolution to amend the name of the fire Company to "The Independent Fire Company Number One of Spring Lake Heights"
  • August 3, 1928 - Independent Fire Company No. 1 of the Borough of Spring Lake Heights becomes incorporated
  • Sept 28, 1928 - Company By-Laws accepted.
  • Oct 12, 1928 - Original Building Committee discharged, and a new building committee appointed with the power to build a new building not to exceed to sum of $500.
  • Dec 14, 1928 - First meeting held in the fire company's own building at 6th & Essex Ave. Building Committee reports that the social hall on Monmouth Ave is complete and closed in, but there was a lot of things which could be done later to make the building more comfortable.
  • March 8, 1929 - Discussion brought about electing officers to help fight fires with Spring Lake and in the vicinity. Motion made and seconded that mourning draping be purchased for deceased member, Mr Herbert Smith.
  • March 22, 1929 - Road committee reported that Mr Paul Bennett donated his time and dynamite to blow out old stumps and trees that were in the way.
  • April 19, 1929 - Special meeting was held for the election of active officers. Independent Fire Company's first chief is elected (William Jackson)
  • May 24, 1929 - Motion carried that the company purchase an American LaFrance Engine to the extent of $6800
  • May 28, 1929 - Contract signed with American LaFrance on the specifications for a new fire engine.
  • June 14, 1929 - Motion was carried that big doors be put in the West end of the hall and to make necessary arrangements for a new Fire truck
  • July 22, 1929 - Motion was carried to accept a fire engine from the American LaFrance Co.
  • August 14, 1929 - Motion carried to get an estimate and order repairs for damage done to the engine on the morning of August 11th. this included a front fender $16, rear fender $15, hub cap $4, chemical tank $30, tank holder $8, oil lantern $8.50, hose clamp $1, 2 tires and one tube $125, totaling $211
  • Oct 11, 1929 - Committee formed to to building an addition to the fire hall
  • Nov 22, 1929 - Motion carried to purchase 1200 ft of wax and gum treated fabric hose, as well as a used Federal double head siren for the building as an firefighters alert system.
  • Dec 13, 1929 - Election of officers. President: Frank Wagner, Chief: William Jackson
  • Dec 27, 1929 - Hose and alarm committee reported that the hose had arrived, and the alarm (siren) was installed and a telephone put in the hall with an extension to Orval Hurley's residence.
  • Jan 24, 1930 - Wilbur Pearce presented the company with a framed copy of the new borough ordinance recognizing and authorizing the fire company as part of the Spring Lake Heights Fire Department.
meeting minutes 1928-1930.pdf