Ridgefield Park Volunteer Ambulance Corps

The date is lost forever in history - that on which the Dr. Charles A. The founder of the organization, Herbert I. Lowe, did not date the letter he sent to a small group of friends and members of the Ridgefield Park Rotary Club suggesting the formation of an ambulance corps. The purpose would be to supplement or replace the limited emergency service furnished by the Police Department. The Corps wo

uld provide regular and complete ambulance service to all the people of Ridgefield Park. Actual operations of the Ambulance Corps began at 7 a.m. September 15, 1952, when the first duty crew, consisting of three men, reported for service. Many local organizations had helped with fund-raising activities to provide the first ambulance (a Cadillac) and the affiliated equipment needed. On April 20, 1975, the Youth Squad was established, consisting of young men and women, between 15 and 18 years of age. With the Corps at full strength and two vehicles to house, the garage quarters in the Municipal Building became overcrowded and difficult for operations. Early in 1975 the Board of Commissioners laid plans to erect a new building to house the Corps in a corner of Brewster Park. It was opened for use in March 1976. The building has recently received a much needed complete renovation. Today the Ambulance Corps consists of 50 Senior & Youth Squad Members and two EMT-Defibrillation equipped ambulances. All volunteer, they are on duty 24 hours a day to provide emergency service to the Village of Ridgefield Park.