Click below for "In-Production" photo reports and status updates on our new Pierce fire engine!

Organized in 1924 as the “Riverview Protective Association”, we were recognized by the State of New Jersey, the Borough of Totowa, and then incorporated as the Riverview Park Fire Company #3 on May 7 th 1925; becoming the third fire company of the Totowa Fire Department.

 

The Charter members were: Edward F. Lawrence, Henry Redfern, Alfred E. Hulmee, William F. Francis, Richard P. Shink, Tunis Breeman, Harry F. Bradley, Louis E. Hunziker, Andrew Otte Sr., Anton Mulleenberg, Henry Kurpershoek, John Grayson, and John Ulrich (Mayor of Totowa from 1931-1932).

 

When the present day Memorial School building was built, the original wooden school building was sold to Riverview Park Fire Company #3 for $1.00. It was dismantled and moved to our current location on Riverview Drive and Rosalie Street and reconstructed. The land it was built on was donated to the fire

company by one of our Charter members; Henry and Dina Kurpershoek.

 

For several years, the only equipment consisted of a hand drawn hose cart and a wagon wheel rim. The rim was used to alert the members to a fire by banging on the rim. Our first motorized apparatus was a Reo Chemical Wagon (year unknown). Some years later, the fire company received a 1940 Ford Pumper. A garage

was added to the front of the building on Riverview Drive. Both the Reo and Ford Pumper served other Fire Companies in Totowa prior to us acquiring them.

 

The fire Company has a rich tradition of cooperation and spirit. It was among the first to organize and sponsor a Rescue Squad. Its members consisted of the Riverview firemen and were directed by Larry Roome, who was an Honorary Member of the Fire Company.

Our first Department Chief was Elmer Wagoner. He served as Department Chief from 1956 through 1959. During his term in 1957, Riverview Park received delivery of a new American LaFrance pumper. Known to our members as “Old Reliable,” it served for well over 20 years before being retired and donated to a community in Alabama during the early 1980’s.

 

In 1977, the fire company had its second Department Fire Chief, John W. Warnet. He served as Department Fire Chief from 1978 until his untimely passing in 1980. During his term the fire company received delivery of a new 1977 American LaFrance pumper. The service of this pumper was dedicated in his memory.

 

Also, during his term he was instrumental in having Fire Rescue recognized as the fourth fire company in Totowa. He also worked to re-establish a better working partnership with our mutual aid towns.

 

With the planned arrival of the new 1977 Pumper, a new 2 bay garage addition was added to the opposite end of the building on Rosalie Street. Through the supportive efforts of our members, both the 1957 and 1977 Pumpers were housed in the new 2 bay garage. Renovations needed to be made on the interior and exterior of the meeting hall.

 

In 1988 a donation received from a resident of Totowa, the fire company purchased a 1987 GMC Suburban. It was used to transport members, equipment and trailer the Department Boat. It was also used for traffic control and any other support role needed for the Fire Department.

 

In 2001 the fire company received a new Pierce Dash pumper. It offers a top mount pump, taking the pump operator off of the roadway. The new pumper is equipped with a 750 gallon water tank, a 50 gallon foam tank, an on-board generator, and large diameter hose.

In 2004 the fire company had its third Department Fire Chief, William J. Warnet. He served from 2004-2005. He was instrumental in having our fire house re-built and expanded. He played an important role in having our new 2001 Pierce Dash pumper delivered and negotiated the acquisition of a vehicle for the Assistant Chief, amongst many other achievements within the Fire Department.

 

In 2007 the fire company purchased a 2002 Chevy Blazer for the fire company’s Assistant Chief. It was previously used in Little Falls Enterprise Company #2. Prior to acquiring this Blazer the Assistant Chief needed to use their own personal vehicle to answer calls and outfit it with the necessary lights, sirens and other

emergency equipment. 

 

Also in 2007 a monument was purchased and placed on firehouse property which is dedicated to all of members past, present, and future for their unselfish service to the Riverview Park Fire Company. The statue was purchased from a firemen artisan Paul Olesniewicz of Phoenix, Arizona. The monument is called “The Last Alarm.” It is a bronze casting of a fireman's boots, jacket and helmet displayed on an engraved granite base. It symbolizes the “Last Alarm” answered by a deceased fireman as his/her funeral passes in front of his firehouse.

 

On May 7th of 2025 we will have served the residents of the Borough of Totowa for 100 years. We hope to continue all the traditions and dedicated service well into the future. Late 2025 or early 2026 we will be receiving a new 2025 Pierce Enforcer Pumper marking our sixth apparatus to serve the residents and the Department going forward.