BRIDGEWATER, NJ — Aug. 11 — Country Hills Volunteer Fire Company recently showcased one of its significant pieces of firefighting history, the antique Engine 24-101, a Mack pumper that had remained in the company’s collection for years.

This antique engine symbolized an earlier era of firefighting and served as a link between the department’s past and its current firefighters.

It had also been regularly displayed at community events and fire service gatherings.

According to Country Hills’ official apparatus list, Engine 24-101 was identified as a 1962 Mack C Pumper.

However, a 2026 photo caption from Bridgewater Patch referred to the restored engine as a 1963 Mack pumper.Due to the discrepancy in the model year between these sources, the exact year was not presented as a definitive fact in this article.

The Mack pumper was displayed along with the company’s modern fire equipment, illustrating the evolution of fire apparatus over the decades.

Country Hills’ current fleet includes a 2018 Pierce Enforcer engine, a 2022 Pierce Enforcer squad, a 2024 Ford F-550/Ferrara mini pumper, a 1993 Pierce Dash, and a 1972 M35A2 6x6 special-service vehicle.

Engine 24-101 had also been part of local parades.

For today’s emergency service personnel, antique equipment like Engine 24-101 offers more than just a glimpse into the past.

It provides an opportunity to preserve the history of the department and to show newer members how firefighting equipment, tools, and operations have changed over time.

Country Hills Volunteer Fire Company is based at 264 Milltown Road in Bridgewater, New Jersey, and its apparatus collection reflects both the company's long history and its ongoing commitment to emergency response.