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= Flanders Fire Co. #1 and Rescue Squad = The Flanders Fire Co. #1 and Rescue Squad provides fire suppression, protection and education to the Flanders section of Mount Olive Township, NJ.

History
As Flanders grew as a thriving community, the need for fire protection services became prevalent. On June 8, 1923, seven residents officially established Flanders Fire Company Number 1. They were Howard and Ed McLaughlin, William Marvin, E.C. Ted Ashley, George Ericson, Watson McPeek, and Augustus Stark. Ed McLaughlin was named Chief and meetings were, at one point, held by the light of oil lamps in Ed’s chicken coup. Eventually, McLaughlin's barn was used to store the company’s meager equipment and his house served as headquarters.

In 1923, a "Brockway Torpedo" that was converted from a chemical car into a water carrier, served as the first piece of fire apparatus and was housed in Ed McLaughlin’s barn.

By 1928, the fire company was expanding, but still without a firehouse. Originally built in 1855, the old Flanders schoolhouse was replaced by the newer building that was directly across the street. Around 1930, the firemen remodeled the entire old schoolhouse and created an engine bay where they could store their apparatus.

In 1936, the township bought a Dodge pumper to replace the old "Torpedo", which was delivered on June 6th.

In 1938 a group of nine women decided that the time had come for a Ladies Auxiliary to be formed in order to aid the firemen. They elected Hazel Tinc as Chairwomen, with Mrs. Erickson as her assistant. Ruth Gray served as Secretary and Ruth Clawson was the first Treasurer. Their first official act was to solicit food donations from the local farms in order to prepare and serve chicken dinner to the members of the Fire Company. During the Second World War the Ladies Auxiliary went to bat for the men with a local Rationing Board to petition for extra sugar for use at the firehouse.

Through the years before WW2, the town of Flanders grew in size. New equipment was added at regular intervals and old pieces retired. It was decided in the early 40’s that a rescue squad should also be added to the Fire Company. By 1942 the company operated two engines and a rescue truck. In 1950 the rescue duties were officially recognized and Rescue Squad was added to the company’s name. Randolph Township donated an ambulance, known as a "cheesebox" due to its shape, to Flanders. This was replaced in 1951 by a 1949 Studebaker, which in turn was replaced by a blue Cadillac in 1958.

In 1996 the house and property adjacent to the firehouse were acquired to begin construction in 2000 that would desperately add needed space for equipment and offices. An expansion was carried out in 1961 and in late 1969 two engine bays were constructed, as an addition to the existing structure.

Apparatus and Station
Located at 27 Main Street, the firehouse has 10 bay doors for 8 pieces of apparatus. The firehouse itself, originally a schoolhouse, consists of three bays, four offices, a kitchen, hall and lounge.