Neighbor Helping Neighbor...Who We Are

The Glen Rock Volunteer Ambulance Corps is an organization of men and women who provide emergency assistance and ambulance service 24/7 to the residents of Glen Rock and its neighboring towns. Formed in 1951, the Corps provided faster emergency first aid and transport than was available at that time from an ambulance dispatched from The Valley Hospital in Ridgewood.

Charter members included: Frank Balou, Bob Bruswick, Harvey and Janet Hatch, Bill Hashagen, Don Knapp, John Krantz, Frank Kuna, Harold Pabst, and Jeanne Westervelt. Emily Baker was the Corps’ first registered nurse and Pricilla Krantz joined her in that role in 1952.

James McCaughey raised $10,000, via a door-to-door drive to purchase the first ambulance, which was housed and maintained by the first Corp Captain, Charles White, in his garage on Maple Avenue (now owned by Frank Kilroy).

The Corps was on call five days a week. Until the advent of a paging system in the late 1960s, the police contacted members by telephone to respond to calls. Doctors Audi, Ivory, Hoffmire, Linane, and Monks conducted first aid classes in members’ homes. Fund drives consisted of outdoor movie nights hosted by the Corps at Faber Field.

By 1954, the Corps responded to approximately 150 calls per year, requiring a headquarters and garage to house the ambulance. Glen Rock residents pitched in with this effort. Phil Gulmy, Sr. poured concrete floors; and Charlie White’s trucks were used to transport materials for the project.

By the 1960s, The Valley Hospital ceased their ambulance operations, and surrounding towns formed their own town corps. Training became more complex and door-to-door fund drives replaced outdoor movie fundraiser nights.

A youth squad was formed in the early 1970s, which has encouraged many younger volunteers to enter medical professions. Corps membership grew to 50 men and women in 1974. A second ambulance was purchased to respond to the increase in calls to more than 600 per year. The State of New Jersey passed legislation requiring all members to be certified as Emergency Medical Technicians. Over the years, EMT certification evolved into an intensive five month course of study with written and practical exams, along with passing the National Registry Exam. EMTs must participate in continuing education program to be eligible for recertification every three years. Today, additional training courses help our members to better prepare for mass casualty and disasters.