|
HISTORY
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, on the back of a letter from the
Buffalo Fire Appliance Corporation's Ralph Wood, asked to start
ambulance service and provide first aid training.
By
the summer for 1935, 21 firemen had passed the American Red Cross
Course taught by Jacob Goldswer of the Bergen County Police.
May
23, 1935 – WVFD authorized the purchase of
a La Salle chassis equipped with a A.J. Miller body at a cost of $2196
from the A.J. Miller Co. of Belfontaine, Ohio.
July
9, 1935 – Gordan Kellen and Asst. Chief
John Mann arrived with the new ambulance from the factory.
July
18, 1935 - The first emergency call was to
Hillsdale for a serious motor vehicle accident. 4 patients were
taken to the nearest hospital, Hackensack Hospital.
July
18, 1935 - The second call, that same night,
for a sick patient in Westwood.
July
19, 1935 - The official dedication of the
ambulance.
Mayor
Hopper stated ”I believe it is the first town in Bergen County to
have such a service.” This was true. “Probably 95% of the
families in town made some contribution. To a $2900 fund, there
was only one $100 contribution from an individual, and less than a
school of individual contributions of $15 or more. The small
gifts, made in the spirit of cooperation….”
Original Drivers
W. L. Best
G.
R. Bohlin
D. Greenip
M. Hopper
W. Hopper
J. E. Hopper
J. W. Humphrey
J. H. Keller
F. G. Kemmlein
A. F. Langner
W. Lester
J.
J. Loennecker
G. Kellen
P.
J. McInerney
T. O’Boyle J.
Schulz
H.J. Schwerdt
H. H. Sternbergh
J. Urspruch H.G.
Volz
F. Von Wieding
In
1939, after an accident “not fault of our men”, a new
Chrysler ambulance was purchased for $2,400.
February
1952, a new Cadillac ambulance purchased for
about $5,000.
1960
- 25th Anniversary dinner – “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.
It is doubly so when we can be the instrument though great good may
come to a great number.... 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 cincer(sp) and
permanent and which nothing can destroy. That gratitude is
recommence 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.” – Speech delivered by unknown
person at this Dinner.
As
of June 2nd, 1960, the WFAS had responded to 6,246
emergencies.
1964
- 2nd ambulance purchased for $15,000, replaces 1952 purchase.
As
of July 15, 1965, the WFAS had responded to 7,469 emergencies.
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.
1973
- The Corps separated from the Fire Department. Headquarters was
relocated to what is today the Westwood Community Center Storage Room.
1975
– The Westwood Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Inc. (WVAC) was
incorporated as an independent organization.
November
23, 1975 – New ambulance dedicated.
December
1977
(L-R)
Wilma Cope, Jack Linzer, Florence Berg, Lee Stocknoff, Phil McGrory
Late
1970's
WVAC
President Laura Higgs receives donation from Westwood Rotary VP
Stephen Lyon, Jr. while Rotary President Stan Peterson looks on.
1993
– New Braun ambulance was purchased.
September,
1995 - The W.V.A.C. headquarters moved to the Westwood Municipal
Complex, 101 Washington Avenue.
May
2001 – New Excellence ambulance was
purchased for $113,000. It is owned entirely by the WVAC.
Spring
2008 - New Horton ambulance was placed in service. It is
owned entirely by the WVAC.
December
2010 - New 1-1-F purchased to replace former First Responder
totaled in MVC in Township of Washington.
|
