The Woodbridge Fire Department (Middlesex County, NJ) serves as Woodbridge Township Fire District 1. The Woodbridge Fire Department protects the residents of Woodbridge Proper and Sewaren. The Department was founded in 1897 as an all volunteer force and became combination in 1929. The first paid "fire driver" was hired in 1911 as a driver for the horse-drawn apparatus. The Company is rich in history. Many historically prominent residents have been members. The evolution of the fire department has mirrored that of the town and of the fire service. The beginnings of the Fire Company can be traced back to 1893 when Woodbridge Postmaster and harness shop owner John Thompson proposed a hook and ladder be purchased by the town committee. The idea was considered by the town, but not followed through. The first fire house was located at the corner of School Street and Brook Street where it still presently serves as the departments fire house. The original firehouse had a hose drying tower, necessary because the hose was made of tightly knit canvas that had to be hung to be thoroughly dry. The first alarm bell was a steel locomotive wheel tire. The paid department began in 1911 with the hiring of Harry Mawbey as a “fire driver”. In 1929 the job title was changed to “fireman” to enable the men to organize a union. They became affiliated with The International Association of Fire Fighters and Local 290 was chartered and still represents the members to this day, along with the other combination departments throughout the township. Up until the early 1990’s the career firefighters were also members of the Fire Company.The first motorized apparatus was purchased for $2,750 in 1915, a 750 GPM American LaFrance pumper. By 1937 the firehouse was in need of expansion and an addition was built on the rear of the building. This provided additional room for apparatus and an ambulance on the ground floor and a dormitory on the second floor for an expanded paid staff. The company celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1947. In 1952 the department recognized the need for improved communications between the apparatus and headquarters and a Motorola radio system was installed along with five alarm units placed in the homes of various volunteers. Eventually each firefighter was equipped with a home alarm receiver. These units gradually gave way to pagers that provide voice alerts that give the location of alarms. Now a combination of pagers and cell phone apps are used for alerting. Up until the late 1980’s a horn located on the roof of the firehouse that could be heard across town would sound a code giving the location of alarms.In the late 1960’s the old firehouse was showing signs of age and was no longer large

enough to serve the needs of the department. It was agreed that the site on School Street

was the best location so the original building was demolished and the new firehouse built on the same site. From October of 1967 until December 21, 1969 the department operated out of the Township Garage on upper Main Street that was located across from the Main

St. entrance to Route 9. In 2019, after renting space, the department purchased 109 Green St to house its administrative and fire prevention offices and free space at headquarters. Future plans include construction of a garage on the property to house spare apparatus and equipment and modern classroom training facilities. The Company celebrated its 75th anniversary in 1972, its 100th in 1997 with a parade and picnic in Warren Park and 125th in 2022 with a banquet on Oct 28th and a picnic in Alvin Williams Park in the spring of 2023.

Over the years the Fire Company has responded to some memorable incidents, 1935 the explosion of a Shell Oil truck at the Green St crossing when it was struck by a Pennsylvania Railroad train, the Methodist Church fire in 1954 (the original stained glass windows from 1870 were saved and remain today), the Valentine Brick Factory fire of 1956, the D’Agostino Industrial Park fire in 1984, the A&P/Woolworth’s fire of 1993 and perhaps the most memorable, the Shell tank fire of 1996. 

The fire department currently operates out of 1 fire station and an administrative / fire prevention office. The firehouse is located at 418 School St. It features 4 bays, with room for 5 apparatus, a radio room, that can serve as a dispatch center, meeting room, kitchen, library, day room, sleeping quarters, and other ammenities. The administration and fire prevention building is located at 109 Green Street. 

The Current Fleet Includes: 

Engine 1, a 2015 Spartan ERV Metro Star 2000/750

Truck 1, a 2024 Pierce Velocity 2000/300/100' Ascendant mid-mount platform

Rescue 1, a 2008 Spartan / Rescue 1 / 2022 Rescue 1 refurb

Engine 2, a 2015 Spartan ERV Metro Star 2000/750

Engine 3, a 2025 Spartan Metro Star pumper 2000/750

Water Rescue 1, a Ford E-350 / PL Custom

Volunteer Chief 1-3-1, a 2013 Chevrolet Tahoe

Fire Official 1-3-2, a 2013 Chevrolet Tahoe

Career Chief 1-3-3, a 2021 Ford Explorer

Fire Prevention 1-3-4, a 2022 Chevrolet Silverado Z71

Shift Commander 1-3-5, a 2017 Ford Expedition

Fire Prevention 1-3-6, a Chevrolet Suburban

Fire Prevention 1-3-7, a 2024 Ford F-150

Deputy Chief 1-3-8, a 2021 Ford Explorer 

Deputy Chief 1-3-9, a 2021 Ford Explorer 

TAC 1-3-10, a 2021 Ford Transit

Utility 1-3-12, a 2021 Ford Escape

Kubota 1

Foam Trailer 1

Foam Trailer 2

Large Diameter Hose Trailer