History of The Glen Rock Volunteer Ambulance Corps
Neighbors Helping Neighbors Since 1951
The Glen Rock Volunteer Ambulance Corps (GRVAC) was chartered September 16, 1951 by a group of concerned citizens to provide emergency first aid and transportation for their neighbors. A door-to-door fund drive raised the $10,000 needed to purchase an ambulance, which was housed in the garage of Charles White, the first GRVAC captain. This garage is now the offices of Kilroys Wondermarket. Charter members included Harvey and Janet Hatch, Frank Balou, Frank Kuna, Bob Brunswick, John Krantz, Don Knapp, Harold Pabst, and Bill Hashagen. The GRVAC was on call five days a week. Until the advent of a paging system in the late 1960s, members left their phone numbers at the police desk, which contacted them by telephone whenever an ambulance was needed.
By 1953, the Corps was responding to 150 calls per year and membership grew accordingly, requiring that a headquarters and garage be built. With groundbreaking on December 22, 1953, Phil Gulmy, Sr. poured concrete and Charley White's trucks transported bricks from Sayreville. The new headquarters building was dedicated in 1955.
With the need to replace an aging ambulance, the GRVAC conducted a fund drive in 1961 to purchase a Sayers & Scovill (S&S) ambulance built on a Cadillac chassis. Dedicated on September 10, 1961, GRVAC President William Hashagen presented the keys to Captain Jack Murphy. Another S&S ambulance was acquired a few years later and dedicated on May 30, 1968, with President Robert Chapman presenting the keys to Captain Emil Vanderspiegel.
By 1953, the Corps was responding to 150 calls per year and membership grew accordingly, requiring that a headquarters and garage be built. With groundbreaking on December 22, 1953, Phil Gulmy, Sr. poured concrete and Charley White's trucks transported bricks from Sayreville. The new headquarters building was dedicated in 1955.
With the need to replace an aging ambulance, the GRVAC conducted a fund drive in 1961 to purchase a Sayers & Scovill (S&S) ambulance built on a Cadillac chassis. Dedicated on September 10, 1961, GRVAC President William Hashagen presented the keys to Captain Jack Murphy. Another S&S ambulance was acquired a few years later and dedicated on May 30, 1968, with President Robert Chapman presenting the keys to Captain Emil Vanderspiegel.
EMT Certification Requirements
Soon after, a new law required all members to be certified as Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT). Although this training vastly improved the level of care that members offered their neighbors, it required equipment that would not fit into the S&S Cadillac ambulances.
By 1974, the GRVAC was responding to 600 calls a year and expanded its fleet to two ambulances by purchasing a 1974 van-type ambulance built by Horton. In 1979, the S&S Cadillac ambulance was replaced by a 1979 van-type ambulance built by Braun, retiring the Cadillac-based ambulances in Glen Rock. These ambulances were housed in the original ambulance garage bays, which is now the drill room. The new ambulance was dedicated on November 24, 1979 with President Paul Herrlett presenting the keys to Captain Neil Borchert.
In the early 1980s, the GRVAC began a first responder system, in which a member of the duty crew would respond directly to the scene to render emergency care and alert the responding crew as to the situation. Members used their personal cars for this purpose. Shortly thereafter, the Glen Rock Department of Public Works donated an old station wagon to the GRVAC, which became the first responder vehicle, known as 829. In 1984, this station wagon was replaced by a Dodge station wagon.
By 1974, the GRVAC was responding to 600 calls a year and expanded its fleet to two ambulances by purchasing a 1974 van-type ambulance built by Horton. In 1979, the S&S Cadillac ambulance was replaced by a 1979 van-type ambulance built by Braun, retiring the Cadillac-based ambulances in Glen Rock. These ambulances were housed in the original ambulance garage bays, which is now the drill room. The new ambulance was dedicated on November 24, 1979 with President Paul Herrlett presenting the keys to Captain Neil Borchert.
In the early 1980s, the GRVAC began a first responder system, in which a member of the duty crew would respond directly to the scene to render emergency care and alert the responding crew as to the situation. Members used their personal cars for this purpose. Shortly thereafter, the Glen Rock Department of Public Works donated an old station wagon to the GRVAC, which became the first responder vehicle, known as 829. In 1984, this station wagon was replaced by a Dodge station wagon.
Paramedic System Introduced
By 1983, with the introduction of the paramedic system in Bergen County, larger, modular-type ambulances were needed, which would not fit into the existing garage. A successful corporate fund drive and assistance from the Borough enabled the GRVAC to build a larger garage. After groundbreaking ceremonies on July 5, 1984, Phil Gulmy, Jr., and Bill Tode carried on the tradition of donating construction equipment. The membership assisted in the construction of the new garage and converting the original garage into a ready/drill room.
In September 1984, the GRVAC dedicated the new garage and a new Horton modular-type ambulance (820), which replaced 1974 Horton van-type ambulance. This ceremony was officiated by President Bob Shawulsky and Captain Neal Borchert. Four years later, the GRVAC replaced the 1979 Braun ambulance with a Collins modular-type ambulance (821). Dedicated on June 10, 1989, President Joan Zanotti presented the keys to Captain Noreen Egan.
With a donation from the Nettie Beck Foundation in 1994, the GRVAC replaced its First Responder (829) with a Chevy Blazer with four-wheel drive, which improved response capability during severe weather situations. Two years later, the GRVAC replaced the 1984 Horton ambulance with a 1996 Braun modular-type ambulance (820). Dedicated on August 28, 1996, President Victor (Rusty) Dagenais presented the keys to Captain Griff Jones, Jr.
In 1999, the GRVAC replaced the 1988 Collins ambulance with a Braun modular-type ambulance (821), which was dedicated on June 15, 1999 with President Diane Herrlett presenting the keys to Captain Ed Esposito.
In September 1984, the GRVAC dedicated the new garage and a new Horton modular-type ambulance (820), which replaced 1974 Horton van-type ambulance. This ceremony was officiated by President Bob Shawulsky and Captain Neal Borchert. Four years later, the GRVAC replaced the 1979 Braun ambulance with a Collins modular-type ambulance (821). Dedicated on June 10, 1989, President Joan Zanotti presented the keys to Captain Noreen Egan.
With a donation from the Nettie Beck Foundation in 1994, the GRVAC replaced its First Responder (829) with a Chevy Blazer with four-wheel drive, which improved response capability during severe weather situations. Two years later, the GRVAC replaced the 1984 Horton ambulance with a 1996 Braun modular-type ambulance (820). Dedicated on August 28, 1996, President Victor (Rusty) Dagenais presented the keys to Captain Griff Jones, Jr.
In 1999, the GRVAC replaced the 1988 Collins ambulance with a Braun modular-type ambulance (821), which was dedicated on June 15, 1999 with President Diane Herrlett presenting the keys to Captain Ed Esposito.
Disaster Preparedness
Following the tragic events of September 11, 2001, disaster preparedness became a priority for emergency response teams. The federal government also required additional care for fire fighters at a structural fire. Through a grant and residents' contributions, the GRVAC acquired a trailer to store and transport mass casualty and fire standby equipment.
The GRVAC undertook a new construction project to build a garage addition to store the trailer. Once again, Phil Gulmy, Jr. donated construction equipment. The addition and the emergency trailer were dedicated on September 21, 2007, with President Mary Jane Surrago and Chief John DeLaat officiating at the ceremony.
The GRVAC dedicated two new vehicles on October 17, 2010 at a ceremony was officiated by President Paul Herrlett and Chief Christine Kochaniec. Replacing a 1996 Braun ambulance, the 2010 Horton modular ambulance (820) improved EMT and patient safety with air bags and cushioned head protectors for impact protection. The new rig featured stainless steel grab rails, stain-resistant flooring, countertops treated with anti-microbial coatings, and an air conditioning system is equipped with HEPA filters and UV lamps, which treat the circulated air and remove harmful bacteria. Privacy windows insure patient and treatment privacy and sealed control panels prevent bacteria from penetrating the switches. In addition, the GRVAC dedicated a new 2009 utility truck (822) to serve as a Command and Control Vehicle at mass casualty and fire scenes. The truck replaced an old First Responder vehicle (829).
The GRVAC undertook a new construction project to build a garage addition to store the trailer. Once again, Phil Gulmy, Jr. donated construction equipment. The addition and the emergency trailer were dedicated on September 21, 2007, with President Mary Jane Surrago and Chief John DeLaat officiating at the ceremony.
The GRVAC dedicated two new vehicles on October 17, 2010 at a ceremony was officiated by President Paul Herrlett and Chief Christine Kochaniec. Replacing a 1996 Braun ambulance, the 2010 Horton modular ambulance (820) improved EMT and patient safety with air bags and cushioned head protectors for impact protection. The new rig featured stainless steel grab rails, stain-resistant flooring, countertops treated with anti-microbial coatings, and an air conditioning system is equipped with HEPA filters and UV lamps, which treat the circulated air and remove harmful bacteria. Privacy windows insure patient and treatment privacy and sealed control panels prevent bacteria from penetrating the switches. In addition, the GRVAC dedicated a new 2009 utility truck (822) to serve as a Command and Control Vehicle at mass casualty and fire scenes. The truck replaced an old First Responder vehicle (829).
Safety
On Saturday afternoon, October 24, 2015, the Glen Rock Volunteer Ambulance Corps celebrated its newest ambulance, 821, with a traditional "wetdown" ceremony. This ambulance was the culmination of 15 years of savings in GRVAC's ambulance replacement fund. The new ambulance was presented by Mayor, John van Keuran and President, Diane Herrlett, to Chief Ed Esposito and Rig Chairperson Ron Jemal.
In addition to the state-of-the-art technology in ambulance 821, the GRVAC also upgraded its five year-old companion, Ambulance 820, so both were equipped with the stretcher, Stryker Power-LAD hydraulic system, which lifts patients weighing up to 700 pounds with the touch of a button. The System lifts and lowers the cot into and out of the ambulance, helping to ensure patient safety and reducing the risk of spinal injuries for GRVAC members. Ambulance 820's control panels were upgraded to match those of 821.
Although there have been many changes in vehicles and training through more than six decades of service to the community, the GRVAC remains committed to its mission and looks forward to many more years of "Neighbor Helping Neighbor."
In addition to the state-of-the-art technology in ambulance 821, the GRVAC also upgraded its five year-old companion, Ambulance 820, so both were equipped with the stretcher, Stryker Power-LAD hydraulic system, which lifts patients weighing up to 700 pounds with the touch of a button. The System lifts and lowers the cot into and out of the ambulance, helping to ensure patient safety and reducing the risk of spinal injuries for GRVAC members. Ambulance 820's control panels were upgraded to match those of 821.
Although there have been many changes in vehicles and training through more than six decades of service to the community, the GRVAC remains committed to its mission and looks forward to many more years of "Neighbor Helping Neighbor."
Here Is a Group Shot From 1952
You can join your neighbors and friends that are already a part of the GRVAC. We are lawyers, engineers, masons, nurses, judges, teachers, secretaries, salespeople, retailers, students, moms, dads, students, grandchildren, and grandparents that care about helping others. Contact us today to learn how you can fit into our family. "Feel the rewards of helping others"
