The Teaneck Fire Department 1936
- Make Every Week Fire Prevention Week in Teaneck
Known Causes of Fires
The known causes of fire in Teaneck during the past two years are as follows:
| 1934 | 1935 | Cause |
| 12 | 8 | Oil Burners |
| 3 | 6 | Overheated Stoves and Furnaces |
| 4 | 1 | Heating Plants too Close to Wall |
| 1 | Oil Stove | |
| 1 | Gas Stove | |
| 1 | Furnace Burst | |
| 3 | Steam Boiler blow offs | |
| 1 | Thawing Hot Water Pipe | |
| 4 | 3 | Defective Fireplaces |
| 8 | 4 | Chimney Fires |
| 1 | Sparks from Chimney | |
| 2 | 10 | Electrical House Wires, short circuits |
| 1 | Christmas Tree Wires, short circuits | |
| 5 | 6 | Automobile, short circuits |
| 2 | Automobile, overheated motors | |
| 1 | Automobile, overheated muffler | |
| 6 | Automobile, back-fires | |
| 2 | 1 | Spontaneous Ignition |
| 1 | 5 | Lightning |
| 2 | Painter's Blow Torch | |
| 2 | Incendiary | |
| 1 | 1 | Flying Sparks from Burning Grass, etc. |
| 1 | Incinerator | |
| 2 | 6 | Carelessness with Cigarettes |
| 3 | 4 | Carelessness with Matches |
| 1 | 1 | Carelessness with Smoldering Ashes |
| 1 | Halloween Lantern | |
| 1 | Carelessness with Kerosene | |
| 1 | Boiling Over of Wax | |
| 2 | Oven Fire (cooking) | |
| 1 | Grease on Floor | |
| 1 | Burning Tar | |
| 61 | 74 |
The foregoing list of the known causes of fire, demonstrates that heating plants, fireplaces, chimneys and faulty electrical wiring were responsible for seventy-five of the one hundred thirty-five recorded cases in 1934 and 1935; In this connection, the letter of Deputy Fire Commissioner Murray, appearing on another page, is most timely.
The so-called brush fire is frequently a menace rather than an annoyance. In Teaneck the average yearly number of such fires is well over two hundred, and it must be remembered that at least one piece of fire apparatus had to be moved, with the attendant wear upon the apparatus, hose, tools and equipment. In all probability years must pass before Teaneck will be sufficiently built to become fairly rid of this seasonable epidemic.
Mack Aerial Ladder Truck
Probably the most notable addition to the apparatus of the Teaneck Fire Department is a Mack Aerial Ladder Truck, which was formerly in New York City Fire Department Service. This important apparatus was purchased at an auction of the New York City Fire Department. The price paid by our Township was $135. The required overhauling was done by our Department Mechanic.
After reconditioning, the truck was placed in service, and inspected and approved by the Schedule Rating Bureau of the National Board of Fire Underwriters. It is a matter of interest to report that there are seven Aerial Ladder Trucks, identical in all respects to our apparatus, now in New York City service.
Mack Aerial Ladder Truck, 1923 Model
Equipment: one 65-foot aerial ladder (on truck when purchased by Teaneck), 211 feet of additional ladders, scaling ladders, life net, rescue tools, ropes, and minor equipment.
| Purchased by Teaneck for | $135.00 |
| Cost of reconditioning and extra equipment | 625.00 |
| Present cost of this type apparatus, new | $16,000.00 |
