Photo by ProvidedThis 1926 REO / Pirsch fire engine was operated by Rifle Camp Fire Co. 3 until 1941. Purchased new by the borough. Powered by large Gold Crown six-cylinder engines, the REO Speed Wagon became highly regarded for its power and high standard of quality. In fact, Reo trucks would outlive Reo passenger cars, remaining in production until after World War II. Around 1940 while Engine 3 was responding to an alarm of fire this apparatus suffered a broken spoke on a front wheel and the fire engine overturned near New Street off Rifle Camp Road. This resulted in the purchase of a 1941 GMC 500/300 pumper that still resides at Fire Co,3 today, restored in 2001 by the firefighters at Rifle Camp Fire Co.3. The first meeting of this group was held in June 1922. The Passaic Valley Hose Co. #2 of West Paterson had received a new fire engine and offered its old engine to the Rifle Camp Road group, provided the latter would show enough interest to organize a fire company in accordance with the rules and regulations of the State of New Jersey. In April 1923 a deed was secured for a new firehouse from the Zurcher family. Captain Gotthard Zurcher was a founding member of the fire company. In May of the same year, construction of the new firehouse began. Selling bonds to interested parties derived funds for the building. With the fire engine from Company #2 and the first requisition from the Borough, two pairs of boots, two rubber coats, one ax, two lanterns, and four five-gallon Indian Tanks were obtained giving our company its start. In the early days of the fire company, the borough council purchased this new REO Hose Wagon. Over 100 years later we are still answering the alarm of fire here. A little history about REO Motor Company. Ransom Eli Olds was best known as the inventor of the Oldsmobile. In 1904 Mr. Olds was unsatisfied and left the company, which left time to help create the new company bearing his initials, the REO Motor Car Company, in Lansing, Michigan. In 1910, the REO Motor Truck Company began the production of trucks. REO's legendary Speed Wagon led the way with shaft-drive, pneumatic tires, electric starters, and electric lights; features found on all competitive makes. By July 1925, REO Speed Wagon sales, since its introduction, exceeded 125,000. REO sought to create a work environment that stressed ""family."" A Welfare department existed, and a variety of activities were available to employees and their families, including indoor baseball and basketball teams and a REO Rifle Club. The patriotic REO company produced nearly 29,000 military vehicles from 1940 through 1945. White Motor Company purchased REO in 1957. Here we see Engine 3 our 1926 REO Speed wagon pumper with an officer and seven firefighters