Newspaper photo from the Morning call shows Paterson Engine 9 after the collision in front of it firehouse, the apparatus was pushed three feet to the left.

This photo taken from the second floor of Engine Company 9 shows the extensive damage to both Engine 9 and the electric bus. Capt. Strathern was wedged between the bus and the apparatus.

By Todd Hollritt Here’s a recent photo of Paterson Engine 9, now proudly restored and operating with the West Paterson Fire Department, Engine Company 2.

On November 13th 1930, the Paterson Fire Department accepted delivery of a new Ahrens Fox model NS-4 100 GPM Pumper serial #3390 from the factory located in Cincinnati, Ohio at a cost of $13.500. It was assigned to the quarters of Engine Company 9 located at 586 Main Street where it remained in service till it was retired in from service in January 1958 after 28 years of service to the department. Records of the era show that the Paterson Fire Department experienced over 70+ Third Alarm or higher fires during this time. But on the evening of May 5th 1938 Engine 9’s service life almost came to an abrupt end as the story unfolded from the morning paper…

--- May 5. 1938 ---
FIRE ENGINE COLLISION WITH BUS INJURES 29

Paterson NJ - Twenty three persons including six firemen of Engine Company No.9 were injured shortly before 11 O’clock last night when a Paterson – Passaic bus owned by the Public Service Transportation Company crashed into the side of the apparatus of Engine Co. 9 in front of the fire company’s quarters on Main Street near Van Winkle.

An immediate investigation was launched by Police and Fire officials with Fire Chief William Coyle. An alarm of fire was sounded from station 522, Main Street and 21st Avenue at 10:57 PM for a reported gas explosion. What turned out to be a working fire located at 79 21st Avenue. Engine 9 responded with Captain Hobart Strathern (38) and Driver Stephen Walls (54) plus four other firefighters William McCorry, Daniel Stevens, David Quakenbush and Joseph Carr standing on the rear step. As the engine started to respond from the firehouse Capt. Strathern stated he began to sound the siren mounted on the apparatus as they left quarters, Just as they pulled onto Main Street driver Walls spotted a bus coming southbound on Main Street at a high rate of speed, firefighter Walls turned Engine 9 north and applied the brakes so the bus could pass them heading toward Passaic. Instead there was a sickening crash as the gas electric bus slammed directly into the center of the fire apparatus.

Captain Strathern and driver Walls were thrown from the front seat and the four firemen on the rear were hurled to the pavement. Captain Strathern became wedged between the front of the bus and his fire apparatus. After freeing himself the first thing he did was shut off the ignition switch on Engine 9 to prevent a fire. Thirty five gallons of gasoline are stored in a tank located directly behind the front seat. Just recently he recalled that firefighters in New York City were injured when their gas tank exploded in a crash. Capt. Strathern received injuries to his left leg and hip, also injured in the crash were driver Walls with a fractured arm and FF. Stevens with knee injuries. FF. Quakenbush had lacerations to the chest and head and FF. Carr received bruises to the body and legs. All were treated at Saint Joseph’s Hospital by honorary Fire Surgeons. All 23 injured civilians on the bus only received minor bruises and most suffered shock.

In the collision Engine 9 weighing 16.800lbs was pushed sideways approximately three feet by the force of the impact. The chassis was broke and the driveshaft damaged. The Fox had to be towed away from the scene. And later, shipped back to the Ahrens Fox plant in Ohio, to be rebuilt before it was returned to service with Engine 9.

It was in the late 1960’s that Passaic Valley Hose Company 2 of the West Paterson Fire Department acquired the 1930 Ahrens Fox serial #3390. They began the task to painstakingly restore the apparatus to mint operational condition. It now holds the designation of Engine 5. Now approaching 45 years of service with West Paterson this Engine still resides in an active firehouse where it belongs. Now, with a long career of active fire service behind it. The Fire Engine is now used for parades, musters and even movie appearances! This classic Fire Engine is the pride of the West Paterson Fire Department and its townspeople.