Deepwater Fire Department

The Village of Deepwater had fire protection from its beginning in 1917, when it was served by the DuPont Dye Works Fire Company. The town continued to grow and with the increase in homes it required additional fire protection.

The Deepwater Fire Company (formerly the Lower Penns Neck Fire Company) was organized in 1928, with Theodore "Dorey" Hall as the companies first Fire Chief. The original firehouse was located on the east side of North Broadway between Chester & Plant streets. A 1929 Graham Soda-Acid Chemical Truck was the company's first fire truck. The truck was delivered the same year John Dwyer was elected as the company's 2nd Fire Chief, where he served as Chief for 20 years. The Fire Company and the close-knit community of Deepwater managed through the days of the depression, and in the late 1930's decided to purchase a new fire truck. A 1939 Diamond-"T" 500 G.P.M. Pirsch-Quad Pumper was proudly acquired to serve the community.

Milton "Mike" Wolfer was elected as the 3rd Fire Chief in 1950 and served as chief until 1958. In 1951, the company began mutual aid assistance to the New Jersey Turnpike Authority and the Delaware Memorial Bridge, which later became the "Twin Spans". As the years passed, the Fire Company grew in both volunteers and equipment, and in 1953 an International 750 G.P.M. Pumper was purchased. With all of the growth there was a need for a larger firehouse. The Deepwater Fire Company's current firehouse began construction, after land was purchased from the DuPont Company in 1956. The new building located on the west side of North Broadway between Grant and Monroe streets was dedicated in 1958.

Paul Gray Sr. became the Fire Company's 4th Chief in 1959. Plans to replace the truck bought in 1939, resulted in the purchase of a 1962 Mack 750 G.P.M. Pumper. Some 5 years later, a 1967 International Utility Truck was purchased to carry additional equipment. The Fire Company now proudly housed 3 pieces of equipment.

Francis Mulhern was elected as the company's 5th Fire Chief in 1968, and served a 3 year term until 1970.