For sale is a uncommon LADIES AUXILIARY FIRE FIGHTER BADGE from the FAIRMOUNT NEW JERSEY FIRE COMPANY No 1. Badge is in excellent condition. Badge measures 1 3/4 inches tall by 1 inches wide. This auxiliary badge demonstrates just how much private fund raising and other private support remains an important part of community fire fighting efforts. An uncommon fire fighter collectible.
On December 3, 1948, 41 men signed the incorporation papers of Fairmount Fire Company No. 1 and the first requirement was to obtain a fire truck. In those days, a carnival was the premier way of raising money. Through the next several months the members also sponsored a turkey shoot and a raffle. Eventually enough money was raised for a down payment on an International chassis with a Ward LaFrance fire body. The truck was placed into service in June of 1949. Today, the Company also relies on the support of the Ladies Auxiliary to assist in fund raising as well as providing food and drink to the firefighters at fire calls. Strange that the fire company has not transitioned to mixed gender with the Ladies Auxiliary renamed as the Spouses Auxiliary.
Fire departments operate as a regimented and hierarchical group. Firefighter badges help identify a fireman’s position (chief, captain, firefighter, etc.) but also their battalion and company or other organizational information. This serves a useful purpose while the men are working to identify them as firefighters and also help in the event of catastrophe to identify remains so that the fallen can be properly honored.