By KATHY CHANG
Staff Writer
EDISON — Known as the “Southside Dogs,” members of Raritan Engine Company No. 1, the oldest fire company in the township, proudly celebrated the company’s 100 years of service this year at Yelencsics Park on Dorothy Avenue.
On May 4, 1916, some 26 men met in the old Town Hall located behind St. James Episcopal Church on Woodbridge Avenue and decided to organize a volunteer fire department.
The company’s first chief was Jacob Becker who served from May 1916 to June 1918.
The department offered protection to what was then known as the Lindeneau, Piscataway, Bonhamton, Nixon and Stelton areas of Raritan Township, covering the Highland Park line to the west, Metuchen to the east, the Raritan River to the south and South Plainfield to the north.
The same southern area is being covered by the company today, which is housed on Plainfield Avenue.
Raritan Engine Company No. 1 is one of the township’s five separate volunteer fire companies. Currently, the department has 34 members with four members currently attending the Middlesex County Fire Academy in Sayreville.
“We are putting our second woman through the academy,” said Fire Chief William Enoch. “We had one other woman serve in the department back in the 1970s.”
He said the company’s members come from all different backgrounds from the emergency medical field, members of the Department of Public Works and students.
At the June 4 celebration, former fire chiefs and members reminisced about the good old days with each other.
Bill Schneider, 91, became a member of the department in 1950 and served as chief in 1957.
“I remember the 35th anniversary in 1951, the 50th anniversary in 1966 and now the 100th … I never knew I would live this long,” he said with a smile.
Schneider said he remembers when he was 5 years old he would always bother his neighbor, who was a member of the department, with questions about the fire engines.
Enoch, who has served in the department for more than 40 years, said generations of families have served the department including his own.
He said his grandfather, William Independence Enoch, served in the department as well as his oldest son, Wayne. Now his grandson, Kyle, is volunteering.
The Wait family was the first family to have three brothers become chiefs — Kenneth F., 1945-46, Elwood C., 1955-56 and Leonard W., 1958-59.
The Swales family had three generations become chiefs — Thomas “Pop” Swales Sr., 1920-21, Thomas Swales II, 1940-41 and Thomas Swales III in 1963.
The Colletto family had four brother members of the company — Francis, James, Anthony and William. Now, a second-generation Anthony has joined.
The Latham family had Artie, sons, Clarance, Clavin and Richard, and grandsons, Wesley, Kevin and Brian, who are now members of the paid fire department in the township, and great-grandson, Wesley Jr., who is a member of Raritan Engine Co. No. 1.
The Borwegen clan had William, Robert, Peter and Richard. Now, Peter is a member of the paid fire department, and another member of the family, Duane, is a member of Raritan Engine Co. No. 1. Four former fire chiefs of the company were from this family.
Peter Borwegen said he is the oldest living of the Borwegen clan and served as fire chief in 1974.
Richard Borwegan said he joined the company in 1958 to help his community and to join his brothers William and Robert and his cousin Peter. He served as fire chief in 1973.
“I think this is a wonderful milestone,” he said.
Frank Rice, who served as fire chief from 1967-69, remembers the company’s 50th anniversary and the Mack Bulldog fire truck.
Part of the celebration included the displaying of the old Mack Bulldog, which Enoch said the department would like to continue to restore, including refurbishing the seats.
In 1923, the Mack Bulldog was purchased by fire commissioners and presented to the fire company in March 1924.
It was a 1923 model Mack Bulldog, a combination chemical and pumper. Five men were appointed each week to clean and maintain the truck.
Enoch said at one point it was used as a snowplow as well.
Peter Borwegen said the Mack Bulldog had been entered into various contests over the years and has won many awards over the years in Wildwood in Cape May County, Washington, D.C., Maryland and upstate New York.
Enoch, who had previously served as fire chief in 1978, said their volunteer fire department is continuing to go strong protecting one of the largest precincts in the township.
Many of the activities that the department once held included New Years’ Eve dances, roller skating, Saturday afternoon movies, one-day bazaars, annual minstrel shows and annual Christmas parties.
Former Edison Deputy Fire Chief Ralph Ambrosio, who attended the celebration, said his uncle, Joseph Ambrosio, was a member of the Raritan Engine company and remembered the bazaars.
“They were popular,” he said.
Enoch said the events over the years have become cost-prohibitive and have since ended. However, he said along with fighting fires, they fundraise for many local charities in the community.