**This page is not continuously monitored. Do not report emergencies on this page. If you have a medical emergency, call 9-1-1** The South River Rescue Squad was formed in 1936 to help the sick and injured people of South River and the neighboring communities.  The South River Rescue Squad, and the older South Amboy squad, were the first to operate in Middlesex County and are among the oldest in the State of New Jersey.

The idea of a qualified and dedicated rescue squad was conceived by George Bardol, after a tragic accident in which two children were asphyxiated.  Mr. Bardol's plan was presented to, and endorsed by: the South River Fire Department, Mayor John Fitzpatrick, ex-Mayor John Quinn, Police Chief Charles VanDeventer, and members of the South River Police Department.

On March 23, 1936 the newly organized Rescue Squad held its first meeting in the George Street Firehouse and elected its officers.  The Squad's members took various first aid courses and were soon ready to serve the community.  Because many neighboring towns did not yet have rescue squad of their own, the Squad also covered areas of Sayreville, East Brunswick, Old Bridge, Spotswood, Jamesburg, Englishtown, Milltown, and North Brunswick.  

In the beginning, emergency calls for the Squad averaged from three to eight per week.  Although the Squad was allowed to use an old "Paddy Wagon" police van stocked with first aid materials, as the number of calls increased, the members soon realized that this was insufficient, and a house-to-house fund drive was conducted for purchase of a new ambulance... a white 1936 LaSalle.  This call for funds has continued each year since then, and the generousity of the residents of South River, knowing the importance of having a well-equipped and trained Rescue Squad, has provided the money needed for the majority of the squad's operating costs.

This first ambulance was initially housed in a garage behind the Borough Hall.  Later in 1937, an addition was built to the George Street Firehouse to accommodate the ambulance and to provide the Squad's members with a meeting place.

During the next several years, the accumulation of supplies and equipment made it difficult for the Rescue Squad to continue operating from the firehouse, and a need for an independent Rescue Squad building was recognized.

When approached with the plan, the Borough Council determined that the cost of the project would be too much of a burden on the taxpayers, so the plan was taken before a group of businessmen.  A "Citizens' Committee" was then formed with Paul Kozak elected as Chairman for this effort.

After a sufficient number of pledges were made, the Squad was able to purchase a tract of land from the Service estate, located on the corner of George and Thomas Streets.  Various materials and hard work were donated for the construction of the Squad building, which was dedicated on April 12, 1948 and continues to house Rescue Squad operations to this day.

Over the years, the South River Rescue Squad has continued to grow with the needs of the community, and is equipped to handle any emergency.  This equipment includes:

•   a gas-electric hybrid First Responder vehicle

•   two Type III ambulances equipped with medical supplies and basic vehicle extrication tools