Engine Company 9
Engine Company 9 was originally organized as Hose Company 1 on March 1, 1900 at the then-new firehouse at North 27th and Federal Street in East Camden, and was reorganized in 1914 as Hose and Chemical Company 1. On January 1, 1922 the unit was again reorganized as Engine Company 9. Engine Company 9 has remained in service continuously at North 27th and Federal Street in the same building it has occupied since 1900, during which time it has shared quarters with Ladder Company 3.
Among those who have served with Engine Company 9 over the years was second-generation fire fighter Howard Gick, who served as Captain of the unit in the early 1940s.
Hook & Ladder Company 3, Hose & Chemical Company 1 and Engine Company 9 — 1924
Hook & Ladder Company 3, Hose & Chemical Company 1 and Engine Company 9 — 1924
Hook & Ladder Company 3: Captain Joseph B. Ayres, FF Dave Humphries, Al Dukes, J.A. Mulligan, Bill Mountney, Bill Hopkins.
Hose & Chemical Company 1: Captain Charles H. Robinson, FF William E. "Pud" Jaeckel, George Townsend, Ken Naylor, Howard Gick.
Engine Company 9: Captain John H. Vickers, FF Irv Lederman, Newton Ash, Joe Gentlesk, Al Palmer.
Ladder Company 3 and Engine Company 9 — Circa 1946
John Mulligan passed away in July, 1947.
Ladder Company 3 and Engine Company 9 — circa 1946
Ladder Company 3 and Engine Company 9 — circa 1946
Front Row: Clarence Madden, Newton Ash, Howard "Waxie" Harrington, Dave Humphries, Howard Gick.
Back Row: John Mulligan, unknown, Tim Shanahan, Acting District Chief Henry Zook, Harry Allebach.
Engine 9 and Ladder 3 — circa 1946
E9: Tim Shanahan, Howard "Waxie" Harrington, Howard Gick, unknown, Newton Ash.
L3: Johnny Mulligan, Dave Humphries, Clarence Madden, Harry Allebach, unknown, Henry Zook.
Apparatus (1924–1990s)
1930 American LaFrance 750 GPM Pumper, looking north on 27th Street with Third National Bank at right
Camden Courier-Post, October 13, 1936 — Harry Leigh, Albert Dukes Sr., Mrs. Elizabeth Savitz
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1930 American LaFrance 750 GPM Pumper No. 3894, June 15, 1952
1950 Plymouth Coupe used by the District Chief, about 1952
1954 Dodge Hose Wagon, 1955
1954 Dodge Hose Wagon, 1955
1954 Dodge Hose Wagon, 1960
1955 American LaFrance Pumper 1000 GPM, 1955
1955 American LaFrance Pumper 1000 GPM, 1955
1955 American LaFrance Pumper 1000 GPM on Marlton Avenue facing southwest, May 1960 — Crown Cleaners (155 Marlton Avenue) and Bernie's Tire Service (145 Marlton Avenue) visible
1955 American LaFrance Pumper 1000 GPM, 1960
1955 American LaFrance Pumper 1000 GPM, 1960
1955 American LaFrance Pumper 1000 GPM
2400 Block of Federal Street, 2 Alarm Fire, 1956 — 1955 American LaFrance 1000 GPM
1954 Dodge Hose Wagon, Engine Company 9, 1960
1955 American LaFrance 1000 GPM Pumper, Engine Company 9, 1960
1967 American LaFrance Pumper, Engine Company 9
1967 American LaFrance Pumper, Engine Company 9
2029 Federal Street, 2 Alarm Fire, February 6, 1972
2745 Sherman Avenue, February 29, 1972
Engine Company 9 at 2508 Federal Street, Murphy Sales & Service Appliance Store, 1970s
Engine Company 9, 1970s–1980s
Engine Company 9, 1970s–1980s
3420-22 Westfield Avenue fire, September 15, 1978
3420-22 Westfield Avenue fire, September 15, 1978
Engine Company 9 at 25th and Federal Street, April 16, 1979
Engine Company 9 at 25th and Federal Street, April 16, 1979
Fire Fighter Joel Bain on Mount Ephraim Avenue, February 9, 1991
1992 American LaFrance Pumper 1500 GPM, Engine Company 9, 1992
1992 American LaFrance Pumper 1500 GPM, Engine Company 9, 1990s
1992 American LaFrance Pumper 1500 GPM, Engine Company 9, 1990s
1992 American LaFrance Pumper 1500 GPM, Engine Company 9, 1990s
1992 American LaFrance Pumper 1500 GPM, Engine Company 9, 1990s
Engine Company 9, about 1993
Engine Company 9, 1994 — Kevin Young, Mark Harper, Joe Ante, George Szychulski
Engine Company 9, Ladder Company 3, and Battalion 2, 1990s
Engine Company 9, Ladder Company 3, and Battalion 2, 1990s
Battalion Chief Robert Ziemiuk at the East Camden Firehouse, 1990s
Engine Company 9 — 2010
Engine Company 9, 2010 — Frank Bottalico, Ed Mendez, Bobby Eckert, Larry Buckingham, Juan Figeroa (photo by Gabe Angemi, CFD)
Credits
Many of the photographs on this website are from the limited edition book "Fire Department Camden NJ 125 Anniversary 1869–1994" and were taken by Department Photographer Bob Bartosz. Others are courtesy of Joel Bain of the Camden Fire Department.
Tag: engine-company-9
Harry Mailahn
Harry Mailahn (1926–1971) was a Camden firefighter assigned to Engine Company 9 from his appointment in January 1951 until his death in 1971. A Navy veteran of World War II, he lived at 2924 Royden Street in East Camden.
John H. Vickers
John H. Vickers (1863–1939) served with the Camden Fire Department from 1904, rising to Captain of Engine Company 9 in 1924, and lived with his family at 202 North 27th Street from 1920.
John C. Voll Jr.
John C. Voll Jr. (1900-1979) was born in Camden and served the Camden Fire Department for 40 years, entering the department on January 15, 1925 and retiring on December 1, 1965. He lived his later years at 2737 Garfield Avenue in the Cramer Hill section of Camden.
Charles H. Lawyer
Charles H. Lawyer (1924–1994) served with the Camden Fire Department from 1948 to 1974. Appointed on March 2, 1948 to Engine Company 9 in East Camden, he was promoted to Captain on April 1, 1956 and spent most of his career with Engine Company 6 at Front and Linden Streets. He grew up on North 35th Street in Cramer Hill and later lived at 1032 North 22nd Street.
William E. Hinch II
William E. Hinch II (1941–1976) was a Camden firefighter. Born in Camden and living at 1113 North 18th Street in Cramer Hill, he was appointed to the Camden Fire Department in 1969 and served with Engine Company 7 on Kaighn Avenue and later Engine Company 9 in East Camden. He died on April 26, 1976 of injuries sustained in an automobile accident.
William E. Jaeckel
William E. "Pud" Jaeckel (1888–1961) joined the Camden Fire Department in 1920 and served over thirty years with Engine Company 9 at North 27th and Federal Streets in East Camden, retiring on pension in January 1951.
Daniel Smith
Daniel Smith (b. July 4, 1872) was appointed to the Camden Fire Department in 1899 and served more than 40 years, rising to captain at Engine Company 9 in East Camden; he had retired by the end of 1943.
Howard L. Gick
Howard Lambert Gick (1895–1968) joined the Camden Fire Department in 1923, served until his retirement as District Chief in 1956, and later worked as Fire Inspector at Garden State Racetrack.
John McKay
John McKay was born on October 22, 1891, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Malcolm and Mary McKay. Along with his brothers Malcolm, Thomas, and Stanley, John grew up at 362 East Indiana Avenue in Philadelphia, as recorded in the 1900 Census.
Herbert J. "Jack" Schott
Herbert J. "Jack" Schott was born on July 6, 1923, in New Jersey.
Allen Palmer
Allen Palmer was born on April 20, 1891, in the Ellisburg section of Delaware Township (present-day Cherry Hill), New Jersey, to John and Ida Palmer. By 1900, the family had moved to 26 North 21st Street in East Camden.
William J. Cleary
William J. Cleary, born in Philadelphia on August 23, 1908, entered the service of the Camden Fire Department on September 29, 1940.
19th Street
Nineteenth Street runs from the Pavonia railroad switching yards across River Avenue north to Harrison Avenue in the Cramer Hill section of Camden, New Jersey.
Leonard Iannelli
Leonard Iannelli, born into a family of dedicated firefighters, followed in the footsteps of his father, Frank Iannelli , who had lost his life while battling a fire as a member of Engine Company 9 on April 5, 1942.
Carmen Iannelli
Carmen Iannelli, a second-generation Camden firefighter, tragically lost his life in the line of duty following a fire in the 1300 block of Pine Street .
James T. McGrory, Jr
James T. McGrory was born on July 25, 1927, to James T. McGrory and Marguerite McGrory (née unknown). In the 1930 Census, the McGrory family, including James' younger siblings Doris and Joseph, resided at 527 Fairview Street .
27th Street
27th Street runs from the Delaware River through Cramer Hill and East Camden to Marlton Avenue. Originally called Fulton Street before the 1899 annexation of Stockton Township, it was one of the main thoroughfares of the neighborhood and home to football star Mike Rozier.
Fire at 2014 and 2016 Howell Street
On April 9, 2012, Camden firefighters responded to two arson fires set in the vacant, condemned row houses at 2014 and 2016 Howell Street.
Fire at 1227 North 28th Street
Camden Fire Department response to a fire at 1227 North 28th Street in Cramer Hill on September 19, 2011.
Camden NJ Working Fire Man Trapped on Roof
Engine Company 9 was first in at a September 2007 fire on the 500 block of Pfeiffer Street, where roofers had accidentally set a row of dwellings ablaze and a worker trapped on the burning roof was brought down by Ladder 3.
Busy 24 Hours in Camden NJ
Camden firefighters worked four all-hands fires and two second alarms over a 24-hour tour in June 2006, culminating in an explosion and collapse at 620 Sycamore Street where a badly burned woman was rescued from the second floor.
Seven People Killed, 2 Injured in Camden Row House Blaze
An early morning fire engulfed a rowhouse at 900 North 28th Street on April 20, 1987, killing seven people including four young children and leaving another child in critical condition. Camden County Prosecutor Samuel Asbell blamed careless smoking; city fire officials disagreed with that finding.
Fireman Dies After City Blaze
Camden Courier-Post - June 5, 1975 A Camden fireman collapsed and died of an apparent heart attack early today after returning from the scene of a two-alarm fire that severely damaged a city warehouse.
Camden Bank, Business Bldg. Targets of Two Firebombings
Two firebombings struck Camden within 16 minutes of each other on December 22, 1971. The first was at 333 Arch Street, housing several businesses including the Puerto Rico Labor Department office. The second struck the Third National Bank of New Jersey at 27th and Federal Streets. Police impounded a red Volkswagen matching witness descriptions. There were no injuries.
Harry Mailahn, City Fireman, Rites Friday
Funeral services for Harry Mailahn, 44, a Camden fireman for 21 years, were set for Friday at the Harry Leonard Funeral Home, with burial in New Camden Cemetery.
4 Firemen Suspended By Melleby
Public Safety Director Harold Melleby suspended four veteran Camden firemen over a July 21 fight at Engine Company 9, 27th and Federal Streets, including acting captain John Kolessar and Deputy Chief Frank Deal. Camden Courier-Post, October 14, 1969.
9 Firemen Graduate In City Test
Nine of Camden's newest firemen, including Wayne Kraft of 1052 North 35th Street, graduated at fire headquarters at 3rd and Arch Streets and received their company assignments.
Firemen ‘Visit’ Fireman’s Home To Battle Fire
Engine Co. 9 — the company Camden fireman Harry Mailahn was assigned to — was called to his own home at 2924 Royden Street while he was out on an errand, to put out a fire that began in a kitchen chair.
Flames Rake Warehouse in East Camden
A two-alarm fire tore through the Cartun Hardware Store warehouse at 14 South 35th Street on the night of December 21, 1961, fed by an estimated 10,000 to 12,000 gallons of paint. One Engine Company 11 hoseman was hurt, and the alarm was sounded by a teenager who spotted the smoke while listening to Christmas carols outdoors.
City Boy, 15, Crashes Car, Flees, Caught
A 15-year-old boy who crashed a car into the door of the No. 9 Firehouse on 27th Street near Federal Street and fled was caught a half-block away by Laddermen Phillip B. Stinger and Edward DeHart and a taxi driver.
Boy, 3, Saved During Blaze by Baby Sitter
Bertha Reed, 18, of 928 North 21st Street carried three-year-old Michael Moran to safety when fire broke out at 1145 DuPont Street in Cramer Hill; Engines 9 and 11 and Truck 3 responded.
Police Investigate 3 Fires in 4 Hours In One Section
Kaighn School Razed; Blazes Set in Church, Unoccupied House Police today are investigating the possibility that three fires Wednesday within a quarter-mile area inside of three hours and 46 minutes were the work of a firebug.
2 East Side Homes Damaged by Fire; 2 Firemen Injured
Fire damaged homes at 125 and 127 North Twenty-third Street; Junior Captain Howard Gick suffered a nail through the foot and Fireman Edward Peira was wounded in the hand.
Allen Palmer Goes on Fireman's Pension
Camden Courier-Post - August 1, 1941 Allen Palmer , member of the Camden Fire Department for 23 years, retired on pension today. Palmer, who is 50 and lives at 2796 Stevens Street was appointed to the department by old city council on March 6, 1918.
Early Donor in Aluminum Drive Hopes 'Gift' Will Be Sent to Hitler
As Camden opened its World War II drive to collect old aluminum for national defense, an unidentified South Camden resident of German birth was among the first donors, carrying his old pots and pans to Engine Company No. 8's firehouse.
$100,000 Fire Sweeps Store of Antrim Co.
A three-alarm fire swept the wholesale store of the Antrim Hardware Company at 1514 and 1516 Federal Street, damaging $100,000 in stock, injuring several firemen and menacing nearby homes and the Standard Oil plant across the street.
Veteran Fire Captain Honored At Retirement Ceremonies
Junior Fire Captain Eli Hunt of Engine Company No. 3, 1813 Broadway, retired March 1 for disability, took formal leave of his comrades as Battalion Chief Charles Erickson and Commissioner Mary W. Kobus praised his service since 1918.
Two Firemen Injured in East Camden While Fighting Grocery Blaze
Two hosemen of Engine Company No. 9, Harry Leigh and Albert Dukes, were injured fighting a slight grocery store basement fire at 2401 River Avenue, Camden Courier-Post, October 13, 1936.
Firemen's Auto Injures 4
Camden fireman John C. Voll of 1230 North Nineteenth Street was involved in two successive accidents that injured four people near River Road in June 1933.
Firemen Prepare Toys for Poor Children
East Camden firemen at the Twenty-seventh and Federal Street and Twenty-seventh and Hayes Avenue firehouses collected and reconditioned toys to distribute to poor children at Christmas.
Promoted Firemen Take Posts Today
Camden Courier-Post, April 4, 1928. John H. Lennox was promoted to deputy chief and Rollo Jones to battalion chief of the Camden Fire Department, eight men were elevated to senior and junior captain, and eleven new firemen were appointed.
Man and Wife Saved by Passing Firemen
Trapped over a blazing butcher shop on Kaighn Avenue, a man and wife were carried down a ladder by Engine Company 9 firemen returning from one of four serious fires that called out every piece of apparatus in Camden.
New Firemen Assigned for Two Platoons
Camden Post-Telegram - December 30, 1920 Double Shift System Becomes Effective at 8 O'clock on Saturday Morning Saturday morning at 8 o'clock the two-platoon system of the Fire Department becomes effective.
East Side Truck Company in Collision Answering Alarm
Answering an alarm for a fire at Allan Palmer's home at 2205 Sewell Avenue, the East Side truck company collided with a team at Twenty-fourth and Federal Streets.
Fire Commissioners Accept New Kaighn Avenue Fire House
The Camden Fire Commissioners voted to accept the new fire house on Kaighn Avenue near Sixth Street, as three new hose carriages arrived at the East Side fire house.