The Mahwah Fire Department was established in 1915, with Co#1 being
the first to organize, followed by Co#2 in 1928, then Co#3 in 1947, Co#4 in 1944 and Co#5 in 1961. Today, it has five companies
covering 27 square miles with a daytime population of 50,000+.
When Co#2 was established, the original founding members, John Mayhook and Harry Garboski, kept the first engine housed in
John's garage at his house on Route 202 until the firehouse was built in 1930. The orignal structure consisted of a two bay
garage which was expanded in 1965 to a four bay garage, then to a six bay garage in 1989.
The most recent refurbishment was done by Co#1, the firehouse was expanded to a six bay garage, with multiple improvements
that were extended inside as well.
Co#1 houses two Class A Pumpers, a Heavy Rescue Truck, a support vehicles.
Co#2 is the largest and busiest of the five companies. It houses two Class A Pumpers, one 110' Tower Ladder, one 75' Ladder
Truck, one HazMat unit, and a Squad.
Co#3 houses to two Class A Pumpers, a Mobile Air Cascade Unit and the Fire/Police Command Van. Co#3 was an independent fire
company operating in the Northeast area of Mahwah known as Masonicus. The township gave the Masonicus School to the Masonicus
Fire Department thus incorporating it into the townships fire department in 1947. However the members waited until 1968 to
formally join the Mahwah Fire Department.
Co#4 houses a 75' Ladder truck and a 2000 gallon Tanker/Pumper. Co#4 was organized in 1944, but did not formally join the
Mahwah Fire Department until 1970. Fire Company No. 4 is located in the Southern area of town, referred to as the Fardale
section of Mahwah
Co#5 houses a Class A Pumper, a Mini Pumper and a 3500 gallon Tanker. Known as the Stag Hill Fire Company back in 1961, was
organized because of the poor road conditions on what is now known as Stag Hill Road. The other fire companies had a difficult
time getting to the top of the mountain
The Township also has two Ambulance Corps. Mahwah Ambulance and Rescue Squad Co#1 (MARS) and Mahwah Ambulance Corp Co#4 (MAC)
handle all EMS related emergencies within the Township.
