COMPANY 1

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The Creation of Professionalism

     As time passed, it became apparent to the borough officials that the city would benefit from the development of a paid Fire Department. In 1931 Howard Garrison was hired. His job was to remain at the Fire Hall during the day and when an alert was received, he would drive the fire truck to the scene. A Short time later, John Royal, Charles Pardington, Fred Ramish and Penn Toulson were hired. These men worked one day on and one day off. Pioneer headquarters became the station for the paid men since the alarms were received there.
     By this time, telephone were widely in use and all that needed to be done was to call in the fire and the Pioneer fire bell would ring along with the High School and church bells. Of course, the volunteers were never discounted. On the contrary, they were still the main force in preventing disasters and have maintained this dependence today in smaller communities. Frequently, the alarm was not heard by the volunteers who lived or worked a distance from the fire hall. In this instance, the wives of firemen who lived closeby the firehouse would call these firemen and report the whereabouts of the calamity.
     The change from amateur to professional statue was not accepted with composure. Volunteer firemen felt threatened. And rightly so, for in the larger cities as New York and Chicago the creation of professionalism expanded to such growth that the volunteers were no longer needed except at three of four alrm fires. In fact, they were banned from offering their help at less disasterous fires. There were other reasons for their discontent. Until this time, the volunteer firemen regarded their help in the community with great prestige. The firefighter had offered his service to the community, had sacrificed his time and sometimes his life. There could be no payment for this offering. They felt they were public servant not hirelings. Fortunately, this disapproval vanished when a fire was reported and the volunteers and professionals worked together for the good of the community. It must be noted that without the help of the volunteers the professional firefighter could not have proven himself.
     Time was a great healer of the wounds of rejection experienced by the volunteers in the early creation of professionalism. It became a teacher, as we see today the progress in the manner of firefighting and the scientific advancement in equipment. Vineland can look back with respect at those struggled with minute means and know that without the first step there could never be another.

Company 1 • East & Wood Street • Vineland, NJ 08360
856-205-7366 • 856-205-7367 Fax

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