The first year of growth was extremely difficult. In the first few months we were a paper organization due to the lack of funds. Meetings were held in the old Fire Company #1 on Wednesday evenings and the officers then planned the first picnic at Westside Grove, which was a success.

        At the beginning of 1958, the officers of Eagle Rescue Squad asked when we would be ready to go into service, as West Paterson was growing larger, placing a heavier burden on the Little Falls squad. Our financial situation was explained and they graciously agreed to divide the proceeds of their annual fund drive with us.

        Morale was low in the spring of 1958 as members attending first aid classes and the officers desperately trying to find a way to procure an ambulance.

        Then it came! Word reached us that the Rutherford First Aid Corps would donate an ambulance to any worthy organization. Immediately our officers sprang into action, first writing for confirmation, and then for an interview and personal inspection of the ambulance. For a shiny grey 1941 Packard ambulance, it was the best that we could hope for considering the circumstances. We held our breath since we were one of five organizations competing for the same ambulance.

        The trustees of the Rutherford First Aid Corps, had approved our application and it would be our ambulance for the sum of $1.00. The ambulance was formally presented on April 13, 1958. Following the presentation the ambulance led a motorcade through the streets of West Paterson.

        We had an ambulance, however, we had no home. As a result of community appeal, Mr. Krisa, owner of Krisa’s Diner, offered his garage (presently the PNC Bank on McBride Ave) which was in great need of repair and other borough industries donated a two-way radio. Once in place we were ready for our first day of active service, May 10, 1958. On June 13^, 1958, we alerted Eagle Rescue Squad that we would now accept all calls. The first official call was answered on August 10, 1958 on Mount Pleasant Ave.

        In October 1959, with the final acquisition of our property, plans were drawn up for a cinder block garage. The plans were so drawn that when additional funds were available, a second level could be added. Construction started in November and by early December all that remained to be installed were heat, power, and a driveway. Moving day was January 9, 1960 and keys were distributed to all the members. The first official meeting in our new home was on February 12, 1960.

        Our first banner was created and displayed in the Memorial Day parade in May of 1962. And in 1964, plans began for the expansion of the building. Twenty feet were to be added to the rear of the building and a second floor constructed to house the meeting room.

        Over the years the squad has purchased many ambulances and in November of 1972 the squad added the Data Code alert system. The squad also purchased a Data Code receiver for each member’s home to make our response time even faster.

        Our first state EMT’s were David Gourley and Patrick Wright in June of 1975, and many members were to follow that same route and become EMT’s as well.

        In 1982, the first aid squad had answered 15,000 calls since our inception in 1957. It is now 1999 and our calls answered for the town and increased towards 39,000.