On December 10, 1895, fourteen Clayton citizens met in the town hall to organize a fire company. Those present were instituted as charter members, and included such old Clayton family names as; Fisler, Kille, Chew, and Atkinson.

From that meeting, Hope Volunteer Fire Company was formed. It is not known how long it continued under that name, as records are lost, but fire company badges with Hope Volunteer Fire Company, Clayton, NJ exist today. The first Secretary was George R. Chew. George Morton was elected temporary chairman. Other officers elected were; H.R. Sparks, Chief; John Kille, First Assistant Chief; and J. Sheppard Fisler,
Second Assistant Chief.

The fire company as we know it today was established under borough ordinance on December 4, 1903. The local relief association, a very important part of the fire company, was organized March 16, 1898.

The first firehouse, erected in 1910, was removed for the expansion of our present quarters in 1985. The ornate galvanized facade of that building is mounted in the banquet room, to remind us of the past, and the dedicated service given to our citizens. Erected in the shadow of the town hall (which was removed for the erection of our present building by our members in 1959) the old building had a face lift in 1912, enlarging the doors, to accommodate motor trucks.

The rich history of our fire company includes a hand-drawn, hand-lever, leather-cupped pumper, restored to its former beauty, known as the "Florida Water". Equipped with leather supply buckets, it is one of the oldest in the area, and many trophies and prizes attest to its originality. It remains in excellent working condition, and many an on-looker along the Parade routes can attest to its effectiveness, as skeptic and believer alike, have retreated out of range, dripping wet.

Some highlights from old meeting minutes show, that in 1919, a ruling was passed that all members must be citizens of the borough, and would have to surrender their key, coat and boots, if they lived elsewhere. As with all old fire companies, it was a man’s domain, and the meeting room had the amenities of the day to afford a “home away from home” for the fireman. A pool table and card table were part of the standard furniture of the meeting room. John Lovejoy was elected President, and served in that office for more than sixteen years.

1920 found that proceeds from benefit dances and moving picture shows, amounted to a $400.00 surplus, and it was voted that the same amount of Liberty bonds would be purchased. Two new Stutz fire apparatus, some of the finest of the day, were housed in July. The first company tradition of attending church, with the veterans, the Sunday before Memorial Day was instituted on April 7, 1920, when the Company turned out with the old soldiers.

In 1921, the Homer L. Ewan Post # 179 invited the fire company to join them in attending church, and to parade with them to the cemetery to honor all war casualties, acting as an honor guard at the entrance to the cemetery. This joint attendance of church, and honoring veterans and citizens who have served their country, continues today. Also in 1921, a new alarm system was purchased for $490.00, replacing the Iron ring (fashioned from Railroad track), that had served as a bell. A toilet was also purchased for use in the firehouse.

Noted in the minutes were letters received after a fire at the Newkirk farm, in North Clayton, praising the fire company for their assistance and quick response, which prevented much property loss. This was a common practice of the day, with many letters being received from citizens and surrounding communities thanking our volunteers for their help. You may see letters of this nature on display at the Glassboro fire station.

The Stutz fire engines, having served their time, gave way to two Hahn apparatus in 1939 and 1940 manufactured in Hamburg, PA. Our firemen went to Hamburg and drove the open cab models home, where they added some of the equipment at the firehouse hereby reducing the purchase costs. One of these engines came with the chrome painted black due to the closeness of the war. The paint was removed and the truck made to shine as new.

From 1940 until 1959 change was gradual in the fire company. Replacement equipment was purchased, hose and necessary items were obtained, but change was not too noticeable. In 1959, when the new building was erected, testing not only the firefighting skills of the members, but the plumbing, building, painting, concrete and contracting skills as well, change exploded. The first modern fire fighting apparatus was purchased. A 1959 Ford, Darley built, with a Champion pump that could deliver water! And pressure! Sure it was a "mail order" truck. But it was new, and it was the turning point, since which time we have never looked back. With it came breathing equipment for the men, new alarm systems to alert the members, and the beginning of the necessary equipment purchases that would bring our fire company into the technological era of fire fighting.

All officers and firemen attend ongoing training schools and advanced classes. New firemen are equipped and trained before they are allowed to fight fires, or to use the expansive list of equipment available, and necessary to operate a fire station today. It is this training and drilling that ensure the citizens of Clayton that they are receiving the best service available from a volunteer fire company. It is the purchase and use of this highly technical equipment, that ensures the citizens of Clayton, that when the alarm sounds, whether it is their neighbors call, or theirs, they will receive the best trained, the best equipped, and surely the most dedicated firefighter possible, responding to the call. Offering the newest, up-to-date techniques and training available, in the protection of life property and community, their dedication is your assurance of protection with pride.

As your neighbors, we are proud to serve our Community.

Jay H. Sharp 1/90