SAMUEL S. BUZINE was born in Delaware in September of 1844 to Lewis and Sarah Buzine. The 1860 Census shows the family living in Camden's South Ward, with Lewis Buzine supporting his family working as a laborer. The family then included older brother John, 17 and younger brother William Buzine, 13, as well as a sister, Margaret Buzine. 4. All the Buzine sons had been born in Delaware. Margaret was born in New Jersey, indicating the family having moved to New Jersey and in all probability Camden during the years between the births of William and Margaret. Sons Lewis Jr. and Harry were both born in Camden during the 1860s. Lewis Buzine Sr. served for three months with Company G, 4th New Jersey Infantry from April 27 through July 1861.

The 1870 Census shows that the Buzine family were still living in Camden. At home were the five Buzine sons. During the 1860s Samuel S. Buzine had married. Two children had been born, Clara and William. During the 1860s Samuel Buzine had been active as a volunteer fire fighter. On December 7, 1869 Samuel Buzine and forty other men became founding members of the Camden Fire Department when Engine Company 1, Engine Company 2, and the Hook and Ladder Company (Ladder Company 1) went into service. Samuel Buzine was assigned to Engine Company 1, under the 

command of Engineer G. Rudolph Tenner.

On November 10, 1869 Camden's City Council had purchased the Independence Firehouse, the three-story brick building at 409 Pine Street, for $4500. The building was designated to serve as quarters for Engine Company 1 and the 1st District. On October 29, 1869 City Council authorized construction of a two-story brick building on the northwest corner of Fifth & Arch Streets as quarters for the 2nd District. On November 25th the Fire Commissioners signed a contract with M.N. Dubois in the amount of $3100 to erect this structure. The 2nd District would share these quarters with Engine Company 2 and the Hook & Ladder Company and the facility would also serve as department headquarters for the new paid force. The original contract remains part of the Camden County Historical Society collection.   

Two Amoskeag second class, double pump, straight frame steam engines were purchased at a cost of $4250 each. Two Silsby two wheel hose carts, each of which carried 1000 feet of hose, were another $550 each and the hook & ladder, built by Schanz and Brother of Philadelphia was $900. Each engine company received a steam engine and hose cart. Amoskeag serial #318 went to Engine Company 1, and serial #319 to Engine Company 2. The Fire Commission also secured the services of the Weccacoe and Independence steamers in case of fire prior to delivery of the new apparatus. Alfred McCully of Camden made the harnesses for the horses. Camden's Twoes & Jones made the overcoats for the new firemen and a Mr. Morley, also of Camden, supplied the caps and belts which were manufactured by the Migeod Company of Philadelphia. The new members were also issued badges.

Badges worn by the marshals, engineers, stokers and engine drivers bore the initial letter of their respective positions and their district number. The tillerman and his driver used the number "3" to accompany their initial letter. The extra men of the 1st District were assigned badges 1-10; 2nd District badges were numbered 11-20 and the extra men of the hook & ladder wore numbers 21-30.

Although the Fire Commission intended to begin operation of the paid department on November 20, 1869, the companies did not actually enter service until December 7th at 6 P.M. because the new apparatus and buildings were not ready. The new apparatus was not tried (tested) until December 9th.

The new members of the paid force were:   

The Board of Fire Commissioners consisted of Rudolphus Bingham, Chairman and Samuel C. Harbert, Richard Perks, Jonathon Kirkbride and Jacob Daubman.

Annual salaries for the members of the paid force were: Chief Marshal, $800; Assistant Marshal, $200; Engineer, $600; Driver, $450; Stoker, $450; Tillerman, $450; Extra Men, $50. All but Extra Men were paid monthly.

Many members of the newly organized paid department were former volunteers and had distinguished themselves as leaders through their dedication and hard work.

Leadership in the Fire Department in these years was not subject to Civil Service regulations. On June2, 1873 Samuel Buzine was first named Assistant Chief Engineer. When the Democrats gained control of City Council in 1876, future mayor Claudius Bradshaw was elected Chief Engineer for the City of Camden, George Horneff, of Engine Company 1 was named as Assistant Engineer, and another Engine 1 member, Thomas McLaughlin, was named as Extra Engineer. Bradshaw and Horneff were both re-elected in 1877. Cornelius Brown was promoted to foreman if Engine Company 1.

With Republicans regaining control of the city in 1879, Samuel Buzine of Engine 1 was named foreman of Engine Company 2. Cornelius Brown continued as Engine 1 foreman. Both men remained in these positions until March 27, 1882. G. Rudolph Tenner was then named Engine Company 1 foreman.  In 1884 Samuel Buzine was named Foreman of Engine Company 1. He was promoted to Assistant Engineer the following year, his place being taken by John Stockton, who later became Chief of the department. The Assistant Engineer title was the equivalent of today's Deputy Chief. Samuel Buzine served in that capacity until his retirement in 1911, for all but three years under Samuel S. Elfreth.

By 1880 two more daughters had joined the Buzine family, Ella and Wilhelmina. The 1880 Census shows the family residing at 724 Spruce Street. Another daughter, Stella, was born in September of 1882.

City Directories from 1887 through 1893 show the Buzine family at 708 Spruce Street. The 1894 through 1899 Directories lists the family at 701 Cherry Street. Sarah Buzine was also running confectionary out of the address at the time. The family moved to 757 Spruce Street late in 1899 or early in 1900.

On July 29, 1895 Camden fireman Wilson Bromley and Assistant Chief Samuel Buzine were injured On July 29, 1895 when Engine Company 1's hose cart overturned at South 6th and Royden Street. They had been responding to a test alarm sent by the Fire Committee of City Council. Sadly, Fire fighter Bromley was injured while responding the a fire at the Farr & Bailey oil cloth plant at South 7th Street and Kaighn Avenue on February 15, 1896. He died as a result of his injuries on February 28, 1896.

The 1900 Census shows Samuel & Sarah Buzine and daughter Stella living at 757 Spruce Street. Of the five Buzine children, only Stella was still living at home. The 1906 City Directory, and the 1910 Census list Samuel Buzine and his wife at 765 Spruce Street.

All the Buzine children had married by 1909. Son William K. Buzine had joined the Camden Fire Department, as had son-in-law Joseph F. Ernst. Another son-in-law, Edward Hyde, later became the Chief of police in Camden.

On July 1, 1911 Samuel Buzine retired from active service with the Camden Fire Department. He was still residing at 765 Spruce Street when the 1912-1913 City Directory was compiled.

On October 11, 1912 while responding to a false alarm at South 8th and Chestnut Street, Samuel Buzine's younger brother, Camden Fire Department firefighter Lewis Buzine, suffered a stroke while at the reins of Engine Company 3's apparatus. Strapped to his seat and clutching the reins in his paralyzed hand, his plight was not discovered until his team of horses arrived, of there own volition and at a full gallop, at the Engine Company 3 fire house at 1813 Broadway. Taken to his home, Lewis Buzine died on October 13, 1912. 

Shortly thereafter, Samuel Buzine retired to Holly Beach, New Jersey which in 1912 had become a part of Wildwood. Interestingly enough, another original member of the Camden Fire Department, Thomas Grapevine, had moved to Holly Beach several years earlier. Samuel Buzine is not listed in the 1914 Camden City Directory.