History of the Lincroft Fire Company
The Lincroft Fire Company was organized in May of 1932 by a group of enthusiastic and persistent individuals who saw the need for fire protection in the growing residential area of greater Lincroft.
This section of Middletown Township is referred to as our primary response area between the Garden State Parkway, Everett Road, the Swimming River and the Swimming River Reservoir. The Lincroft community was previously supported by Middletown Fire Company (MTFD Station 8), River Plaza Hose Company Number 1 (MTFD Station 9), Holmdel Fire Company and the Westside Fire Company of Red Bank.
Presently some of the more notable properties that Lincroft Fire Company protect include Brookdale Community College, Christian Brothers Academy, Monmouth County Park System’s Thompson Park and Sunnyside Recreation Area, Memorial Sloan Kettering, One River Centre, Luftman Towers and Pavilion, one hundred twenty-five businesses and 2,400 residences.
Lincroft Fire Company has been dispatched to municipalities throughout the State of New Jersey including Red Bank, Shrewsbury, Holmdel, Colts Neck, Tinton Falls, Sea Bright, Long Branch, Asbury Park, and Woodbridge when requested for mutual aid.
Robert Cook of Tinton Falls was one of the primary movers in organizing the Lincroft Fire Company. He would later help organize Northside Engine Company of Tinton Falls.
Lincroft Fire Company joined the Middletown Township Fire Department in 1934 as Station 10. The Middletown Township Fire Department (MTFD) is now comprised of eleven fire companies, the MTFD Fire Academy, MTFD Air Unit, MTFD Special Service Unit and MTFD Fire Police Unit. MTFD has over 40 pieces of apparatus, over 400 active firefighters, and is recognized as one of the world’s largest all volunteer fire departments.
The lot where the firehouse stands was purchased from Jenny E. C. Layton. The original building was built in 1936. The first mortgage for the building was $5,500.00. Additions included the new engine bay was built in 1960 and the ladder bay in 1987.
The firehouse was designed by Oscar Silverstone of Brooklyn, and was built by Edward S. Klausner. Additions were added in 1960 for our present engine bay and 1987 for the tower ladder bay..
Since the Lincroft Fire Company was formed in 1932, the community has undergone significant growth in both residential and commercial properties. The response area covered by the Lincroft Fire Company now includes Brookdale Community College, Christian Brothers Academy, Lincroft Elementary School, St. Leo the Great Elementary School and Oak Hill Academy plus several pre-school facilities.
Corporations such as AT&T, Lucent Technologies, Telcordia Technologies, Avaya and many other office buildings have been built in the Lincroft Fire Company response area over the years. In addition to the commercial properties, Bamm Hollow Country Club, Thompson County Park, Sunnyside Recreation Area along with a few Township parks for youth baseball, soccer and other recreation activities have been developed here.
Over the years, four senior citizen residential facilities have also been constructed in Lincroft. Luftman Towers and De La Salle Hall were built in the 70’s and Sunrise Assisted Living and Luftman Pavilion in the 2000’s. Combined, they are home to more than three hundred seniors.
The Lincroft Fire Company also responds to vehicle fires and other emergencies on the Garden State Parkway and provides backup support to neighboring communities when needed.
The company has had many different vehicles in service over the years as described below.
1933 Brockway Engine
193? Packard Hose Car
1941 Pirsch Engine on White Chassis
1954 Great Eastern Engine
1954 Oren Engine on White Chassis
1966 Mack Engine
1966 Dodge Brush Truck
1974 Young Engine
1979 Dodge Brush Truck
1987 Seagrave 100’ Arial Ladder Truck
1991 Pierce Engine
2002 E-One Quint Tower Ladder
2003 Ford F450 Brush Truck
2022 E-One Typhoon Engine
Until the purchase of the 1987 Seagrave Aerial truck, all Middletown Township Fire Department companies had to raise the funds to purchase their apparatus. Presently, the Township of Middletown purchases the apparatus and some of our equipment. They also provide funds for the apparatus and equipment maintenance.
For many years, the fire company prepared and served dinners to raise funds. Unfortunately, due to the tremendous efforts to run these events and declining profits, the dinners were canceled in 1986. The fire company now relies on a direct mail fund drive to our residences and a friendly visit for business and residents who had not responded to our fund drive appeal. The fire company also receives a small financial subsidy from the Township of Middletown for general operating costs and insurance.
Middletown Township Fire Department Chiefs from the Lincroft Fire Company
1944 - James Hennehand
1954 - Garett Corson
1963 - John C. Fowler
1974 - George C. Richdale
1985 - Austin B. McKnight
1996 - Dennis W. Fowler
2007 – William D. Kennelly, Jr
2018 - Ryan M. Clarke
The first chief officer from Lincroft was James Hennehand who replaced Henry Carney, who was called up to the armed services. The second chief was Garrett Corson who replaced Gerald Dominion who died in the line of duty. The third chief, John C. Fowler, was credited with saving the old Leonardo High School in which one wing was destroyed in March of 1963. Our forth chief George C. Richdale was one of the founders of the Middletown Township Fire Academy. The MTFD Fire Academy is now considered one of the premier emergency services training facilities in the State. Austin B. (Bud) McKnight was our fifth chief in 1995. Dennis Fowler was the sixth chief from Lincroft in 1996 and is the third generation in his family to serve as chief of the department. William D, Kennelly, Jr. held the position of sixth chief in 2007, which he served proudly while also working as a police officer in Middletown. Our seventh member to serve as chief in 2018, was Ryan M. Clarke who completed his term and and was later elected as a township committeeman.
Some Help from Our Friends
The Lincroft Fire Company is fortunate to have a very dedicated Ladies Auxiliary that performs fund raising events, coordinates social activities and supports the firefighters at large structure fires with refreshments. We are very grateful for everything they do!
The fire company interacts regularly with our neighboring companies within the Middletown Township Fire Department and our surrounding communities for mutual aid.
The Lincroft Fire Company has a long time relationship with the Lincroft First Aid & Rescue Squad. We support the squad on motor vehicle crashes, and any rescue situation where we can assist. The squad is also dispatched along with the fire company for all major fire calls. The Lincroft First Aid Squad was originally organized by members of the Lincroft Fire Company in 1953 and have continued a strong bond ever since.
There are notable people in the greater Lincroft area who have been very helpful over the years, three who stand out. Geraldine Thompson was an amazing philanthropist, known for her generosity to charities of which the Lincroft Fire Company was a recipient. Her support over the years helped make our fire company what it is today. Additionally, Martha and Terry Daverio, former owners of the Historic Lincroft Inn. For many years they supported the Lincroft Fire Company through their generous contributions and support of our fund raising efforts. The Lincroft Fire Company held many years of memorable awards dinners at the Lincroft Inn. They were more than gracious hosts; they were true friends of the fire company.
