Keeping it old school

May 23, 2021 5:06 PM

Enjoy this comprehensive old-school web page documenting the history of the Paterson (NJ) Fire Department, founded in 1815.

Of particular interest:

Great Paterson Fire of 1902

information about the first fire engine of Paterson, the Old Gooseneck (1822)


Firemen Stories

comprehensive description of historical and modern apparatus, including 'Notable Apparatus Stories'

Oral History

One of the main forces behind the website is Dr. Tom Dayspring, one of the world's foremost lipid experts. Dr. Dayspring's father was a career fire fighter with the Paterson Fire Department. Dr. Dayspring spent many years assembling an extensive archive of historical materials about the department (currently in the possession of the NJ Fireman's Museum). Dr. Dayspring was mentored in his medical career by Sister Loretta Agnes, who in 1963 became, due to her special relationship with the fire department, the first civilian honored by the fire department by being appointed an Honorary Battalion Chief, an honor which Dr. Dayspring became the second civilian to receive in 2018.

Dr. Dayspring's twitter feed twitter feed is a gusher of information about cholesterol health, measurement, and treatment, noted for his excellent infographics.

posted by bq (4 comments total)

I was reflecting on how much I prefer sites that use old-school style layout to all the folks who use Facebook as their web presence (possibly triggered by trying to look up the hours of a local place known for pie and being told I had to log into that spawn of Satan earlier today) ... and then saw that he message that encouraged visitors to check out the additional material on the affiliated FB page. Sigh. Still, neat to see an expert on something different geek out on a hobby site. (Won’t be logging into FB. Ever.)
posted by zenzenobia at 8:06 PM on May 23, 2021 [6 favorites]

Definitely ready for the 12 part podcast and/or Coen Brothers feature film focused solely on CHIEF STAGG. Search for "July 1, 1910: Chief assaulted" on the Chief Engineers page for instance.*


*TIL "vitriol" is literally sulfuric acid.
posted by gwint at 9:08 PM on May 23, 2021 [1 favorite]

Pater's On Fire?! Put him out!

(this site is a lot of fun, great facial hair on some of those old chiefs)
posted by chavenet at 4:02 AM on May 24, 2021 [1 favorite]

Fire companies have long memories - I follow a Facebook group dedicated to DC Fire Department history, mostly made up of retired members, and they routinely note the anniversaries of deaths in the line of duty that happened in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
posted by ryanshepard at 6:35 AM on May 24, 2021 [2 favorites]