ALLENTOWN, NJ - The sun was out, the temperature was comfortable, and there were plenty of antique fire apparatus ready to be photographed. The New Jersey Fire Museum & Fallen Firefighter's Memorial hosted a photo shoot of its collection on the rain date of October 6^th.

Fire Apparatus Journal magazine editor, John A. Calderone, had been discussing a photo shoot of the collection with museum staff members in the past, and in October the photo shoot became a reality.

The ever-expanding museum has an excellent collection of New Jersey fire memorabilia ranging from helmets to model fire apparatus, and much more. The staff welcomes contributions to keep the state's fire service past preserved for future generations. They accept donations, but you can leave your wet down mugs home! Collectors have too many mugs.  

A contribution of $40.00 was collected from the photographers. Staff members served breakfast and a barbecue break in the afternoon. Fire apparatus were positioned “in the sun” for the participants. Some 43 museum rigs were photographed, plus about 14 non-museum units that also participated. Some of the museum's apparatus that couldn't run under its own power were towed into photo position by the staff.  

It was a long, but very successful day for the serious apparatus photographers. Paul Boegemann and the museum's entire staff deserve a lot of credit and thanks for their hard work. In addition, John Rieth and Jim Scott arranged the attendance of the apparatus that are not part of the museum's collection. Upon leaving the museum, many photographers were able to photograph the apparatus at the nearby Hope Fire Company. 

After many years of discussions, meetings, obtaining a facility, obtaining apparatus and other fire memorabilia, we have an excellent, and still growing, fire museum. Kudos to the present staff, and those who are no longer with us, for making this museum a reality.