Squad History

BUDD LAKE FIRST AID & RESCUE SQUAD STATION 27 RESCUE

ORGANIZED FEBRUARY, 1954

"DEDICATED THROUGH ITS MEMBERS TO HELP THE SICK AND THE INJURED"

CHARTER MEMBERS
Dr. John Alcamo
Walter Nichols
Clyde DeGraw
William O'Donnell
Walter Holonski
Thomas Philhower
Andrew Kovach
David Romaine
Donald Mahoney
Elmer Vandermark
Ralph Meyers
Guenther Wagner



The Budd Lake First Aid and Rescue Squad was formed in 1954 by township residents who felt there was a need for emergency medical care in the Budd Lake section of Mt. Olive.
In 1954 the total population of Mt. Olive was just under 2400 residents and Interstate 80 was still in the planning stages with the Budd Lake exit (26) not being done until the mid-1960's.
When the squad was first formed the members, using a converted Hearse donated by Morgan's Funeral Home in Netcong, was based out of the Municipal garage next to Budd Lake.
In the early 1960's the members, noticing a need for a home for the squad, began construction of the original headquarters located at 365 Rt 46. The original "building", as the members call it, housed one ambulance and a rescue truck. The construction took over three months with the members doing all the building themselves
  


As the town expanded so the Squad. In the mid-1970's the members added two additional bays to house two ambulances and an office. The renovated building served as Squad Headquarters for the next 20 years.



Since the Squad's inception we have added a wide variety of services to be able to handle just about any type of emergency that should arise.
Squad members duties, beyond emergency medical care, can include vehicle extrication and rescue, still and swift water rescue, ice rescue (as backup to BLFD), search and rescue, response to large scale incidents, CPR and First Aid instruction, Extrication instruction and much more.

The start of the 21st century marked more changes for the Squad. Starting in 2001, two major renovations to Squad Headquarters began. The first project added two additional bays to the rear of the building. Originally designed to be Rescue Bays, Rescue 77 and Rescue 71(rescue boat) were housed in these bays.

The second renovation began in late 2002. This project completely transformed the building. The renovation added a second floor over the original brick structure that holds a training/multi-purpose room and ready room. The addition allowed for a supply room (The Crow's Nest), executive office, radio room, administrative office file room and galley kitchen.
 

9.11.01

On September 11, 2001 the Squad was called into service to assist in the largest mass casualty incident since Pearl Harbor.

 

With the rescue and recover efforts underway at Ground Zero, the members of Station 27 opened their doors for the public to assist in the recovery efforts by donating goods to bring to recovery workers.
For three days squad members collected, sorted, packed and transported much need supplies bought in by people wanting to help.
After delivering the supplies members worked at the WTC site ready to act in the event a worker needed help.

The Budd Lake First Aid and Rescue Squad has over 50 years of history and service to Mt. Olive Township. While our jobs may have changed our dedication has not.

Just Facts

Since 1954 there have been many changes not only to the Squad but to Mt. Olive Township and the surrounding area.

Since our inception members have seen I-80 completed to the Delaware Water Gap to become one of the most heavily traveled highways in the NY/NJ/PA area. Rt. 46 and Rt. 206 have expanded and supplement I-80 during high volume times that accounts for 17% of
our calls (MVA's).

The population of Mt. Olive has expanded from 2400 residents in 1954 to 25,000 (2/3 in Budd Lake) bringing our response rates from under 100 calls in '54 to 1200+ in 2005. With this increase comes more traffic, more homes and more businesses.

Budd Lake Rescue takes great pride in being able to adapt and overcome these constant changes to our community.

If you would like to be apart of this history visit our Become A Member page for more information.