Rescue Squad History
The Forming of the Squad
The rescue squad was formed in the 1950s under the civil defense. At that time, civil defense agencies were being trained in some rescue procedures, mainly shoring, tunneling, moving heavy loads with block and tackle and things of that nature. In 1957 the department got its first truck (see below) and began responding to fires and vehicle accidents. All of this was done by volunteers at no charge to the Town. This was the beginning of the rescue squad as we know it today.
Through the years the rescue squad had several converted vehicles and through the hard work of many dedicated individuals their training and equipment began to progress. The goal of all of their hard work was to provide rescue service to the Town of Webster "second to none". That goal remains today.
Important Dates Along the Way
In 1979 after a fatal crash, the local Elks club sponsored a fund drive and purchased our first hydraulic rescue tool. The "Lukas" spreader, cutter and power supply were purchased for $8,200. This equipment, with proper training cut the time of extrication in half. It was the first of several fund drives to purchase advanced and specialized rescue equipment and is still in service today.
Some of the other major equipment purchases are as follows:
- 1983, the local Rotary club sponsored a fund drive that purchased a set of Maxiforce Air bags.
- 1987, The Lions club donated hydraulic rams and a combi-tool to compliment our "Lukas" hydraulic tools.
- 1990, The Rotary club sponsored fund drive purchased a Hovercraft for water and ice rescue.
- 1992, The Lions club donated dry SCUBA suits with full face masks and underwater communications gear.
- 2000, We received a donation of a thermal imaging camera from the Webster Emergency Medical Services.
On July 1, 2012, the Rescue Squad merged with the Webster Fire Department in order to provide the Town of Webster residents with the a single source department providing Fire and Rescue services.
Apparatus Purchases/Acquisitions
The people of the town have always supported us through the town meeting votes when it came time to replace apparatus.
- 1957 - The department got its first truck (see below) and began responding to fires and vehicle accidents.
- 1972 - The town meeting voted to replace 2 of the 3 trucks that were in service with a new heavy rescue truck (see below). The truck was built by Providence Body Co. for $29,000. At this time, our duties included extrication from crashed vehicles, extrication from machinery and fire fighting support.
- 1990 - The town purchased a new Rescue 2, a light duty rescue on a Ford chassis.
- 1990 - As mention above, the Rotary club sponsored a fund drive to purchase a Hoverguard Hovercraft to be used for water and ice rescue.
- 1991 - Through the generosity of a local person that works for the Pepsi Cola company, we were able to obtain a used beverage truck at no cost to the town to serve as a Hazardous Materials Response Truck.
- 1995 - Our 1972 rescue truck was replaced with a new E-ONE Protector heavy rescue truck at a cost of $316,200. It was delivered in May of 1995 and was the culmination of a design and funding process that took about 6 years.
- 2002 - The members association purchased a 1985 Chevrolet Panel Van at a cost of $3,000 (no cost to the town) to be used as a Dive Rescue Truck. Following many months of rehab work, primarily by the members themselves, this truck was placed in service in early 2004 to be used to house dive gear and equipment and transport divers to the scene of a water rescue.
- 2002 - As the result of a town meeting vote, $375,000 was appropriated for the purchase of a new Hazardous Materials truck to replace the donated vehicle acquired in 1992. This new truck is an E-One Cyclone heavy rescue truck that is to be delivered any time.
- 2002 - Through an agreement between the town and Police Department, the rescue squad acquired the 1997 Ford Expedition being replaced by the Police. This vehicle was also rehabed, again primarily by members, and was placed in service in early 2003 to be used for various services and support not requiring the use of a full size rescue truck.