The History of Westwood Volunteer Ambulance Corps
"To feel that you are part of saving a life... in restoring life and happiness to a distressed family is the highest tribute anyone can receive.”
The Westwood Firemen’s Ambulance Service was formed in 1935 with 20 members serving the entire Pascack Valley. The ambulance was owned and operated solely by the firemen.
Chief Robert Baehr's handwritten speech asking to start ambulance service in Westwood.
By the summer for 1935, 21 firemen had passed the American Red Cross course taught by Jacob Goldswer of the Bergen County Police, and Westwood Volunteer Ambulance Corps was formed. In July 1935, WVAC's first ambulance was purchased and responded to its first 911 emergency on July 18. The corps first emergency was a serious motor vehicle crash in Hillsdale in which 4 patients were taken to the nearest hospital, Hackensack Hospital.
Westwood Mayor Hopper stated, ”I believe [WVAC] is the first town in Bergen County to have such a service.” This was true, and over 95% of teh families in Westwood contributed to the corps after its opening.
After an accident, a new Chrysler ambulance was purchased for $2,400, in 1939, and 13 years later, in February of 1952, a new Cadillac ambulance purchased for about $5,000.
In 1960, the WVAC celebrated its 25th anniversary. By this time, the corps had responded to 6,246 emergencies. At the 25th Anniversary dinner, a speech was delivered. “The ambulance also gives to the individual an opportunity to serve humanity. There is nothing so self-satisfying as the feeling that one has rendered a distinctive service to someone and to a cause. To make one’s heart a little lighter, to make ones’ life a little brighter, by our own individual efforts is far more important... [A] real tribute to this service comes from the grateful hearts of those who have had to call for the ambulance. It is a silent tribute, but is a tribute what is sincere and permanent, which nothing can destroy. That gratitude is enough for whatever efforts and service we may have given. To feel that you are part of saving a life... in restoring life and happiness to a distressed family is the highest tribute anyone can receive.”
Westwood Mayor Hopper stated, ”I believe [WVAC] is the first town in Bergen County to have such a service.” This was true, and over 95% of teh families in Westwood contributed to the corps after its opening.
After an accident, a new Chrysler ambulance was purchased for $2,400, in 1939, and 13 years later, in February of 1952, a new Cadillac ambulance purchased for about $5,000.
In 1960, the WVAC celebrated its 25th anniversary. By this time, the corps had responded to 6,246 emergencies. At the 25th Anniversary dinner, a speech was delivered. “The ambulance also gives to the individual an opportunity to serve humanity. There is nothing so self-satisfying as the feeling that one has rendered a distinctive service to someone and to a cause. To make one’s heart a little lighter, to make ones’ life a little brighter, by our own individual efforts is far more important... [A] real tribute to this service comes from the grateful hearts of those who have had to call for the ambulance. It is a silent tribute, but is a tribute what is sincere and permanent, which nothing can destroy. That gratitude is enough for whatever efforts and service we may have given. To feel that you are part of saving a life... in restoring life and happiness to a distressed family is the highest tribute anyone can receive.”
In 1964, a new ambulance was purchased for $15,000 to replace the 1952 rig.
By July of 1965, with 30 years of service to Westwood and the Pascack Valley, the WVAC had responded to 7,469 emergencies.
On March 2, 1968, the ambulance was involved in accident while responding to call. Driver Mike Fitzpatrick and corpsman Donald Hodges were treated and released from PVH.
In 1973, the Corps separated from the Westwood Fire Department. Headquarters was relocated to what is today the Westwood Community Center Storage Room. By 1975, 40 years after its establishment, the Westwood Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Inc. was incorporated as an independent organization.
November 23, 1975 – New ambulance dedicated.
In 1993, a new Braun ambulance was purchased by WVAC.
By September of 1995, the WVAC headquarters were moved to its current location at the Westwood Municipal Complex at 101 Washington Avenue. In May of 2001, a new Excellence ambulance was purchased for $113,000. It is owned entirely by the WVAC.
In the Spring of 2008, the old Excellence ambulance was retired, and a new Horton ambulance was purchased and placed in service. The new ambulance is currently still in use and is owned entirely by the WVAC. The corps also purchased a first responder vehicle in December of 2010, after a donated first responder vehicle was wrecked in a MVC.
