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Ramsey Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Inc
Neighbors Helping Neighbors for Over 60 Years
The Ramsey Ambulance Corps is a volunteer emergency medical service (EMS) organization providing basic life support (BLS) services to the Borough of Ramsey and its surrounding communities. We are a member in good standing with the New Jersey First Aid Council.
Our members come from all walks of life. We are mothers, fathers, students. Working as engineers, teachers, nurses, stay at home parents, all with one common dedication,
to help our neighbors.
We primarily provide service to Ramsey, an approximately a six square mile town with a population of approximately 14,500 residents. Additionally we respond to throughout New Jersey to support our neighbors in Bergen County and beyond. We have provided coverage in New York City, the 2012 Superbowl, and the 2015 Papal visit in Philly.
Last year we responded to over 1,400 requests for service in addition to providing support for multiple Borough and private events.
The Beginning, 1930s
For many years, the Ramsey Fire Department operated a First Aid Squad that would respond to medical emergencies in the Borough. During the 1930's, the American legion attempted to raise funds for an ambulance for this squad, however, after several years, there still wasn't enough for even one ambulance. So, the Legion decided to donate those funds to the Allendale Ambulance Corps, which had already been in operation, with the understanding that the Allendale Corps would respond to medical emergencies in the Borough. Dr. Harry M. Archer, an Allendale physician and a surgeon for the New York City Fire Department was instrumental in forming the Allendale Ambulance Corps.
At this same time, Harold R. Greene was an investment banker, residing in Ramsey, who commuted to New York City. Dr. Archer had taught Mr. Greene first aid skills, and he, in turn, trained the members of the Ramsey Fire Dept in First Aid. Consequently, for many years, Harold was know as "Mr. First Aid".
After several years of operating a First Aid Squad out of the Fire Dept, a need was seen for a separate ambulance corps. Eighteen Ramsey firemen banded together and incorporated the organization, deciding that fifteen of them would ride on five, three-man night crews and the remaining three would work with the civic groups, like the Ramsey Women's Club, to secure funding to purchase an ambulance and erect a building. Even though Harold had trained the founding members of the Corps, he never became a member, but when he passed, the Corps was named in his honor.
At this same time, Harold R. Greene was an investment banker, residing in Ramsey, who commuted to New York City. Dr. Archer had taught Mr. Greene first aid skills, and he, in turn, trained the members of the Ramsey Fire Dept in First Aid. Consequently, for many years, Harold was know as "Mr. First Aid".
After several years of operating a First Aid Squad out of the Fire Dept, a need was seen for a separate ambulance corps. Eighteen Ramsey firemen banded together and incorporated the organization, deciding that fifteen of them would ride on five, three-man night crews and the remaining three would work with the civic groups, like the Ramsey Women's Club, to secure funding to purchase an ambulance and erect a building. Even though Harold had trained the founding members of the Corps, he never became a member, but when he passed, the Corps was named in his honor.
We Have an Ambulance, 1953
On April 9, 1953 Mrs. Dorothy Werger, President of the evenings Women's Club, presented then Captain George Schurter with the keys to a Eureka Cadillac ambulance. The ambulance had been a "demo model", and was placed into service that day. The following Monday and Wednesday, the Ramsey Ambulance Corps responded to their first calls in the Borough. The ambulance was painted tan and green and sported a red flashing light and electric powered siren. Although it had simple equipment, including a cookie salesman's tiered case as a trauma kit and an extremely heavy double oxygen bottle E&J Resuscitator, it had a two-way radio to maintain communications with the Ramsey Police Dept. The ambulance was housed in the Island Avenue Fire House until a suitable garage could be constructed.
A Home, 1953
Now that we had a new ambulance, there was still a need for a building and a garage. The Charter members leased a building lot, (on the corner of Island Ave and Prospect St), from the Borough for $1.00 per year.
Many of the Charter Members were builders, roofers, plumbers, electricians, and handymen. They built the original building mostly by themselves, with much help from some outside contractors, and a mortgage supplied by William F. O'Mahoney for $10,000.
The Charter Members signed a note to First National Bank & Trust Company of Ramsey, which later became Citizen's Bank, for funds for the materials. Ramsey resident and architect, John Marinaro donated his time and talent and designed the building. The Napolitano Brothers, who were local contractors, provided the masonry work.
The result was a one-story cinderblock structure with two bays, an office, a kitchen, and a lavatory along one side. On September 6, 1954, our ambulance building was dedicated.
In August of 1956, the first mortgage was canceled.
Many of the Charter Members were builders, roofers, plumbers, electricians, and handymen. They built the original building mostly by themselves, with much help from some outside contractors, and a mortgage supplied by William F. O'Mahoney for $10,000.
The Charter Members signed a note to First National Bank & Trust Company of Ramsey, which later became Citizen's Bank, for funds for the materials. Ramsey resident and architect, John Marinaro donated his time and talent and designed the building. The Napolitano Brothers, who were local contractors, provided the masonry work.
The result was a one-story cinderblock structure with two bays, an office, a kitchen, and a lavatory along one side. On September 6, 1954, our ambulance building was dedicated.
In August of 1956, the first mortgage was canceled.
Time For An Upgrade, 1980s
When many ambulance corps were converting from Cadillac ambulances to the more roomy vans and boxes, the new, higher ambulances would not fit into the existing garages, including Ramsey's.
So, plans were drawn to build new, taller bays behind the building and to convert the original garage bays into a finished meeting/training room. Member, Ford Beggs was the driving force behind the transformation, and in 1984, a new two-bay garage was constructed in the rear of the building and the new Training/Meeting room was dedicated to Leslie D. Wilding.
So, plans were drawn to build new, taller bays behind the building and to convert the original garage bays into a finished meeting/training room. Member, Ford Beggs was the driving force behind the transformation, and in 1984, a new two-bay garage was constructed in the rear of the building and the new Training/Meeting room was dedicated to Leslie D. Wilding.
Upgrades Part 2, 1990s
In the 1990's, it became apparent that the building as it stood was becoming too small for all of our needs. We had grown from responding to 100 calls in the early 1950s, to over 1,000 calls in 1993. Then-President, Larry Warner had a vision for our future, and although the addition of the second floor had not yet been discussed in detail, he created the Building for Future Fund. Much discussion followed over the news two years, but on a sunny day, on a fishing boat off of the Jersey Shore, President Warner, long-time and now Honorary Member James Dougherty, and Life Member Mark Madsen, dreamt of a larger, more gorgeous building - one that would certainly meet all of our need - a crew room, an officers' office, a large commercial kitchen, a large multi-purpose room that could be used not only for the Ramsey Ambulance Corps but for our neighbor towns as well for training.
Unfortunately, after two years of fundraisers that gave us some money, but not much, it became apparent that we had to seek alternate funding. Dougherty met with town officials, architects, builders, etc., and soon a working plan was developed including the need for a mortgage. Just as with the original building construction, members worked on this expansion, tearing out old walls and floor coverings and doing the finishing work. We hired local contractor, Lou Slierno of L&E Construction. L&E hired Eagle Contracting who did all of the framing and exterior work. This construction had to be done while school was out because construction equipment had to maneuvered in the parking lot, which is of course used by students who drive to school.
During the construction, not only did Corps members assist where they could, members of the Ramsey Fire Dept and the Ramsey Rescue Squad also helped. They were especially helpful when it came to putting up the sheetrock. On any given night during this period you would find Mark Madsen and/or James Dougherty at the building doing whatever they could to move the project
Unfortunately, after two years of fundraisers that gave us some money, but not much, it became apparent that we had to seek alternate funding. Dougherty met with town officials, architects, builders, etc., and soon a working plan was developed including the need for a mortgage. Just as with the original building construction, members worked on this expansion, tearing out old walls and floor coverings and doing the finishing work. We hired local contractor, Lou Slierno of L&E Construction. L&E hired Eagle Contracting who did all of the framing and exterior work. This construction had to be done while school was out because construction equipment had to maneuvered in the parking lot, which is of course used by students who drive to school.
During the construction, not only did Corps members assist where they could, members of the Ramsey Fire Dept and the Ramsey Rescue Squad also helped. They were especially helpful when it came to putting up the sheetrock. On any given night during this period you would find Mark Madsen and/or James Dougherty at the building doing whatever they could to move the project
A New Millenium, 2000-2010
The start of the new millenium brought major changes to EMS. New nationwide procedures were establsihed, hands only CPR was developed. Major advances in technology made patient care easier, safer, and saved more lives.
2001 was a year we will never forget. Ramsey lost two residents and our members jumped in an ambulance and rushed to the river to help.
In 2008 we saw a need to replace our current ambulances and bought two identical ambulances aptly named "The Twins". Ambulances 424 and 425 were top of the line ambulances with state of the art equipment including power stretchers and GPS.
2001 was a year we will never forget. Ramsey lost two residents and our members jumped in an ambulance and rushed to the river to help.
In 2008 we saw a need to replace our current ambulances and bought two identical ambulances aptly named "The Twins". Ambulances 424 and 425 were top of the line ambulances with state of the art equipment including power stretchers and GPS.
Today. 2010-Present
From 100 calls a year in the 1950s to 100 calls a month today the corps are still growing. We now have a membership of over 50 people some of whom have been members for over 20 years. New training education and protocols have been made to adapt in this everchanging world. We no longer chart on paper or use maps to help us drive but our goal remains the same.
2012 saw one of the worst hurricanes in NJ history. The Ramsey Ambulance Corps stayed strong and on call for the entirety of Sandy. We assisted in temporary shelters and continued to provide quality care throughout the storm and recovery.
In 2014 we retired our small Horton ambulance and put our new Ambulance 424 in service. This ambulance was significantly bigger and was designed to grow with our growing call volume.
In 2019 we retired the second "twin" and placed Ambulance 425 in service. This ambulance matched the size of Ambulance 424 and is considered top of the line for Ambulances today. It even went on display at the New Jersey Firemans Convention.
2020 was a historic year but we stayed strong. We are forever grateful for the outpouring of support from our community.
No matter what the future holds for us the Ramsey Ambulance Corps will always be here for our neighbors, 24/7 365
2012 saw one of the worst hurricanes in NJ history. The Ramsey Ambulance Corps stayed strong and on call for the entirety of Sandy. We assisted in temporary shelters and continued to provide quality care throughout the storm and recovery.
In 2014 we retired our small Horton ambulance and put our new Ambulance 424 in service. This ambulance was significantly bigger and was designed to grow with our growing call volume.
In 2019 we retired the second "twin" and placed Ambulance 425 in service. This ambulance matched the size of Ambulance 424 and is considered top of the line for Ambulances today. It even went on display at the New Jersey Firemans Convention.
2020 was a historic year but we stayed strong. We are forever grateful for the outpouring of support from our community.
No matter what the future holds for us the Ramsey Ambulance Corps will always be here for our neighbors, 24/7 365
Our Story
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