COMPANY 1

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Progress

     Progress is measured by the past, accomplished in the present and seasoned in the future. In 1952, the Borough of Vineland and Township of Landis consolidated into the City of Vineland. This consolidation ended a grand era in firefighting. The city passed an ordinance which demanded the creation of the City of Vineland Fire Department with an appointed Director. The competition between each of the seperate fire companies was over. All departments were required to work together and modern firefighting as we know it today developed.

     During the fifties, the department concerned itself with many organizational problems brought about by consolidation. Samuel Rochetti of the Main Avenue Fire Company was appointed as the first full-time Director. It was his job to supervise the workings of the department at fires and handle the administrative and executive aspects of the department. Ronchetti served in this position until 1956.
     Headquarters for the department was established at Pioneer Fire Hall, the site of the old borough's headquarters. Pioneer Fire Hall, then part of Company No. One also served as dispatch center for the city's five companies.
     Peter Elbeuf was appointed to the post of Fire Marshall for the new city. It was his responsibility to investigate all fire injuries and deaths, as well as investigations of all fires where properly damage occurred. Inspections of mercantile buildings and fire prevention were also the Fire Marshal's job along with the responsibility for apprehending and prosecution of any person transmitting a false alarm.
     Mr. Elbeuf had held the position for the borough since 1935 and with his retirement in 1961 the Fire Marshals Office was closed. The responsibilities were taken over by the Bureau of Fire Prevention and the Arson Bureau when they were were formed in the sixties.

     Thomas Dell succeeded Samuel Ronchetti as Director in 1956. Mr. Dell held the position on a part-time basis until 1960. During his incumbency, the department acquired a two-way RCA radio system. The base station was installed at headquarters along with teh antenna and six mobile units which enabled communication between fire headquarters and firemen at the scene.

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

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