Princeton's Fire Inspection Parade Highlights Over a Century of History

Matthew Hersh

The Princeton Fire Department will hold its 120th annual Fire Inspection Parade Friday evening, and while the event looks largely like a pageant proudly exhibiting Department equipment, it actually offers a glimpse into the Princeton of the 1800s.

Launched in July, 1884, when the fire department first invited the public and the municipal leaders to view the engines used to fight fires, the parade started as an inspection check.

Each of the three companies pulled their equipment up Nassau Street to Mercer Hall, which was the Borough's town hall in those days, was located between Vandeventer and Tulane Streets across from the modern-day Firestone Library.

Later, the engines became more sophisticated, and inspectors began to check equipment on site at the stations. But while the purpose of the inspection event lost its utilitarian purpose, it retained, if not gained a traditional aspect that has attracted crowds ever since.

The parade is now a chance for Princeton Hook and Ladder, Mercer Engine Co. No. 3, and Princeton Engine Co. No. 1 to flaunt their equipment, but more importantly, honor those who have served a Department that has remained throughout its history 100 percent voluntary.

"The purpose of the parade is to allow the fire department to make a statement and say 'we're all volunteers,' we're here, and for the community to give a little recognition," said Mark Freda, former Borough Council member and a 30-year honoree of service to Hook and Ladder, located on Harrison Street in Princeton's Jugtown section.

Mayor and Council members are still expected, by ordinance, to inspect the equipment, Mr. Freda said, but that element of the parade has slowly fallen in the background, adding that the real satisfaction is being able to be recognized by the community.

"The thing that sticks with you over time is that when you're able to go to somebody's house. The house is on fire. You're able to confine that fire to a room or two, and salvage a lot of sentimental personal belongings," he said. "They may not have a lot of dollar worth, but they're things that are really significant to people."

"That's why everybody does this," he said, referring to the volunteers of the Princeton Fire Department.

Establishing ties with the Department brethren is also a worthwhile experience, said Robert Bruschi, the Princeton Borough Administrator, who is also being honored for 30 years of voluntary service. Mr. Bruschi serves with the Mercer Engine Co. No. 3.

Mr. Bruschi said the most memorable years were those he spent going "through the ranks at first as an officer, going through the company level and as a line officer for the actual fire fighting."

One of the more memorable fires Mr. Bruschi fought was the Benson Building fire at the corner of Spring and Witherspoon Streets.

The January 1977 fire, which came only a few years after he began his tenure, destroyed the building and made way for the multi-use building that currently stands in its place. That fire, Mr. Bruschi said, was a test of wills for the fighters.

"We were up on the third floor for as long as our air tanks would hold up, and then we backed out, came across the street and watched the whole building erupt in flames," he said. "It paints a whole different picture as a volunteer, and it certainly stood in my mind as an example of dumb luck."

Due to family and job responsibis, Mr. Bruschi said that while he has served the Department in a more "social" capacity for the last 10 years, he said he still considers himself part of the family.

"It's a tie to a group of people that come from all walks of life in Princeton," he said. "There's no town that does it the way we do it here."

As for being honored for his 30 years, Mr. Bruschi said it caught him off guard.

"We used to look at some of the older guys and say 'man, we'll never be one of them,' but now we are!" he said

The Inspection Parade will take place Friday beginning at 7 p.m., at the corner of Chestnut and Nassau Streets. The parade will then proceed down Nassau to Monument Drive in front of Borough Hall.

In addition to Mr. Freda's 30 years, Princeton Hook and Ladder will honor James Bird and William Hunter for 35 years of service; and William Anderson, for 45 years. In addition to Mr. Bruschi's 30 years, Mercer Engine Co. No. 3 will honor Robert Donald and William Karch for 50 years of service; John Larkin for 45 years; and Ray Wadsworth and Frank Procaccino for 40 years. Engine Co. No. 1 will honor Frances Davison for 25 years.

The parade will include the Pipes and Drums of Atlantic Watch, the Westfield Fife and Drum Band, and the Colonial Musketeer Band. The Ladies Auxiliary of each company will also march, along with the Princeton First Aid and Rescue Squad.