Fifty-four men came to the first meeting of the new organization. This represented fully one third of the adult male population of Allendale at that time. These determined individuals elected a committee of seven to organize the group. Within the first months of 1910 a constitution was written, committees were formed, a place to meet and store equipment was established, and money was raised to purchase the first hook and ladder truck.
The determination of this early group of men and their apparent influence among the citizens of Allendale, who supported them generously in the early years, was passed along for successive generations. They carried with them a sense of pride that was evident to surrounding boroughs.
This sense of pride was evident when they made their first appearance in Ridgewood's annual July 4th parade. The men supported the orders from their chief that there would be no smoking while in formation and that fines would be imposed on those who did not attend. In addition, they agreed upon wearing a uniform of white duck trousers, white shirts, black bow ties, shoes and belts, white straw hats, gloves and canes. For many years after this appearance, the Allendale department was known as the "silk stocking boys."
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