Pine Brook FD's Centennial to Mark Proud History

Pine Brook residents in 1913 pooled $175 and sawed the lumber used to build the Pine Brook Fire Department's first firehouse on Bloomfield Avenue on land donated for that purpose by Abram A. Van Wert.

A century later, the volunteer department's firehouse is still in the same general location.

That site is expected to be packed with hundreds of Montville Township residents and members of area fire departments Saturday as they celebrate the department's centennial with proclamations from government officials, free food and drink, and a display of fire trucks, including the showing of a historic Pine Brook fire engine that recently was restored.

The party is scheduled from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the firehouse, 47 Bloomfield Ave.

Since Joseph O'Dowd first served as chief in 1913 to current Chief Herb Eggers, Pine Brook families have had up to five generations serve in the department.

One member of the department whose family has had multiple generations serve, past Chief Ron Cain Sr., is planning to drive a restored 1931 Pine Brook fire truck to the celebration. The truck was restored by his son, Ron Cain Jr., vice chairman of the Pine Brook Board of Fire Commissioners and also a past chief.

Ron Cain Jr. said marking anniversaries can remind the community of its roots—something the department has done before. He remembers when Pine Brook celebrated the department's 50th anniversary with a parade and carnival in 1963, shortly after he joined.

"I think it's important to keep history alive and remember the past," he said.