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Equipment
The Brookside Engine Company #1 remained independent of the Township Committee until the members had paid for the La France Fire Truck which they had purchased and it could be turned over to the township clear of any debt. According to Mr. Clarence Paugh of West Main Street, Brookside, the first fire truck broke its drive shaft every time it was driven to a fire. It wasn't a pumper; it carried a water tank. It missed getting to more fires than it started out for at the sound of the fire alarm. This truck was a great disappointment to the firemen who had to contend with its contrariness. The second fire truck was a Ford of one-ton capacity. This one-ton Ford chassis would pump and did get to fires. Mr. Clarence Paugh took it upon himself to gather a quorum of the Brookside Engine Company together so they could take action on the purchase of an American La France. This piece of fire fighting equipment turned out to be an excellent pumper enabling the firemen to do efficient fire fighting. On February 25, 1916 a committee was appointed to get a price on twin chemical tanks and an extension ladder. The chemical apparatus had priority over all other company business and projects. The committee was authorized to go to Newark, New Jersey to examine the fire apparatus under consideration. On March 17, 1916 by resolution the committee assigned to purchase fire apparatus was authorized to buy for $200.00 or less the equipment under consideration. They were permitted to use their own judgment. As soon as the company had $200.00 the committee was to order tanks and other necessary equipment not to exceed $350.00. On June 29, 1916 the truck was taken to Ward's Body Shop to have the body built. This early piece of fire fighting equipment was a constant source of frustration and disappointment. On September 29, 1917 Warren F. Greene was authorized to put a new jackshaft in the fire truck. On March 29, 1918 there was a chimney fire at Henry Gardner's; the truck remained in the firehouse. It was decided to have Albert Byram repair the fire truck. On February 27, 1920 the chief reported that the fire truck fixed and could be used to fight fires. This was the first time it had been in operation since 1918. By February 23, 1923 there was talk of having a new chassis made for the fire truck. On March 30, 1923 the committee responsible for acquiring equipment reported they had purchased a one-ton chassis. On April 27, 1926 the company voted to purchase a new fire truck. The committee assigned this responsibility was made up of Dean, Greene, and Penrose. The truck purchasing committee reported on a demonstration of a pumping engine and the members accepted the committee's report favorably. On April 13, 1928 the committee was authorized to purchase a type 99 La France, 500 gallon per minute pumping engine at a price of $950.00 plus the trade‑in value of the truck then being used.
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