The first organized effort in the area to combat the ravages of fire beyond the "Bucket Brigade" stage began in 1866 with the organization of the Neptune Hook 7 Ladder Company No. 1 which is the forerunner of the present Neptune Hose Company No. 1. Charles Antonides from West Long Branch was engaged, and, through funds raised, built a long geared wagon which was designed to carry ladders, tools, a
nd equipment to fires. It was the first machine of any character placed into operation in all of Monmouth County for the fighting of fires and was also the start of the Long Branch Fire Department. The wagon was housed in a shed on the grounds which is now occupied by the Broadway School and the men of the Hook & Ladder Company "pulled" their rig to fires by hand to serve as they were needed. In 1877 with the completion of the first city water mains, the company decided at their September 17th meeting that the Neptune Hook & Ladder Company No. 1 be changed to the Neptune Hose Company No. 1. The Company officially chartered with the State on November 13, 1877. In 1879 the commissioners purchased a hand drawn, four wheeled hose carriage for the Company. Shafts were later added and the carriage became horse drawn. In 1890 the Company purchased a new hose wagon costing $425.00 and a team of horses. Quarters with the Oceanic Engine & Truck Company were found to be too small so the commissioner offered to pay an annual rent for a building to house the equipment. A building was erected and rented as a firehouse. While happy with this arrangement the Company was still desirous of having a home of their own. A lot was purchased and through financing the present firehouse was built. On January 1, 1906 "open house" was held. The new home had many modern facilities including indoor plumbing, both gas and electric lighting, a telephone, automatic drop harnesses for the horses and two regulation bowling allies which still exist today. On September 24, 1922 the era of the horses came to an end with the arrival of a Mack motor hose wagon. Through good care and maintenance this apparatus served for 33 years. In 1955 a Mack 500 gallon pumper was received and was well used for 20 years. In 1975 the Company received a Mack Cf-600 pumper with a 1000 G.P.M. pump and a 500 gallon booster tank. The Mack served for 38 years when in January 2014 it was replaced with a 1989 Pierce Pumper equipped with a 1250 G.P.M. The Neptune Hose Company has a 40 member active roster and is just one of the nine volunteer companies in the city. The 600 member volunteer department also consists of the Uniformed Fire Division which consists of 21 career firefighters that work in four man 24 hour tours. The Department's apparatus consists of 7 engines, 2 trucks, 1, Rescue, and 1 Water Rescue Unit. The City's fire department is dispatched by Monmouth County on Fire 1 and operates on Fire 5. Neptune Hose Company operates under the Monmouth County radio designation 25-5-75 as is known as Long Branch Engine 5.
