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 a combination department 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, and many historically prominent residents have been members. The evolution of the fire department has mirrored that of the town and the fire service itself. The beginnings of the fire company can be traced back to 1893, when Woodbridge Postmaster and harness shop owner John Thompson proposed that a hook and ladder be purchased by the town committee. The idea was considered by the town but not followed through.

The first firehouse was located at the corner of School Street and Brook Street, where it still presently serves as the department’s firehouse. The original firehouse had a hose-drying tower, necessary because the hose was made of tightly knit canvas that had to be hung to dry thoroughly. 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 1990s, 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 provided voice alerts with the location of alarms. Today, a combination of pagers and cell phone apps are used for alerting. Up until the late 1980s, a horn located on the roof of the firehouse—audible across town—would sound a code indicating the location of alarms.

In the late 1960s, 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 a new firehouse was built on the same site. From October 1967 until December 21, 1969, the department operated out of the Township Garage on Upper Main Street, located across from the Main Street entrance to Route 9.

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

Over the years, the fire company has responded to some memorable incidents, including the 1935 explosion of a Shell Oil truck at the Green Street crossing when it was struck by a Pennsylvania Railroad train; the Methodist Church fire in 1954 (during which 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 one fire station and an administrative/fire prevention office. The firehouse is located at 418 School Street and features four bays with room for five apparatus, a radio room that can serve as a dispatch center, a meeting room, kitchen, library, day room, sleeping quarters, and other amenities. 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