Rockaway Borough Fire Department Traces Its Roots Back to 1894

ROCKAWAY BOROUGH, NJ — The Rockaway Borough Fire Department has been protecting residents for more than 130 years, with a history that dates back to the very founding of the borough itself.

Rockaway Borough was officially incorporated in 1894. That same year, local leaders gathered at the historic Rockaway Hotel to begin organizing the newly formed municipality. Among the earliest priorities was establishing fire protection for the growing community. Volunteerism quickly became the backbone of the department, a tradition that continues today.

One of the early leaders in the department’s formation was John Riggott, a prominent local figure and hotel owner who went on to serve as one of the borough’s first fire chiefs. In its earliest days, the department relied on basic equipment and manpower drawn entirely from local residents.

As Rockaway grew, so did the need for a more structured and capable fire service. In 1902, a winter fire destroyed Strait’s department store, underscoring the vulnerability of the downtown area. Just five years later, in 1907, a devastating blaze at the Rockaway Rolling Mill left hundreds unemployed and highlighted the importance of organized fire response for both homes and industry.

By the 1920s, the department began modernizing. In 1925, member Fred Fichter constructed one of the department’s first motorized fire engines by modifying an automobile chassis to carry firefighting equipment. The innovation marked a shift away from horse drawn apparatus and signaled a new era for the volunteer company.

Community engagement also became a hallmark of the department. Labor Day parades in the 1920s showcased the firefighters’ close connection to the borough, with residents lining the streets to celebrate the volunteers who protected their homes and businesses.

Through the 1930s and beyond, the department continued to evolve alongside Rockaway Borough. Historic photographs from the era show early fire apparatus parked along Main Street, reflecting both technological progress and the department’s central role in daily community life.

Today, the Rockaway Borough Fire Department remains a volunteer organization built on the same spirit that formed it in 1894. Its long history stands as a reminder of the borough’s commitment to public safety and neighbor helping neighbor service that has endured for generations.