National Homeland Security Knowledgebase

Bucks County Rescue Squad, Inc. was founded 1932 in Croydon, Pa. by a group of men that seen a need when a young man drown in the Delaware River. There wasn't any way to get him to the hospital and the idea was put into reality.

Purchasing a used hearse, parking it in the parking lot of the Croydon Fire Company the Bucks County Rescue Squad was started. Residents from Croydon were recruited as members. Basic first aid was all that was needed. The calls started coming in and it wasn't long after that, that the members realized their was a need for another ambulance. Another vehicle was purchased and the rest is history.

Purchasing a building on Maryland Ave the first building was established as a headquarters. After spending many years on Maryland Ave. the growth was too much and the members started to look for another location for a new building. Rohm Haas Company donated land located on Otter Street and in 1956 the construction was started on the new building. The dedication taking place on November 12, 1956.

In the early 1950's a group of members lead by Ms. Reba Goebic realized a need for a hospital in our area. Our members started the first fund drive to build a hospital. Which became to be known as the Lower Bucks County Hospital.

The growing years have been very good to the B.C.R.S. in the early 1970's a subscription fund drive was enacted. The first Emergency Medical Technicians were trained and ready to respond. In the early 1980's the first Paramedic unit was purchased, by the B.C.R.S. and our squad had the first trained Paramedics. Having set the trend we placed the first paramedic unit in service in the county. This was the first step to the very best emergency ambulance service that anyone could provide. Proudly serving the community.

After many successful years at the Otter Street address the growth was too much for the building. President Harry Crohe met with Mr. Dennis Kain C.E.O. of Lower Bucks Hospital in the summer of 1992 to discuss the possibility of relocating the squad on the campus. After two years, a tentative agreement was made and a architect was hired to design the new headquarters. Early Thursday morning on August 24, 1995 architect Dan Pfeiffer dropped off the plans for the new building. That afternoon at 4:20 PM an accidental fire destroyed the Rescue Squad building.

Devastated, but not out, the rebuilding process was started. Operating out of rented trailers in the parking lot the members toughed it out with the cooperation and dedication of the community members, political friends, advisory board, life members and active members, and loyal employees the rebuilding process was moving along.

On May 15 1997 construction was finally started for the new building to be relocated on the campus of Lower Bucks Hospital. With land donated by the hospital a dream that Harry Crohe had has finally become a reality After months of construction moving day was fast approaching.

On January 19, 1998 the officer and members along with the employees finally with the help of a moving company moved into the new headquarters. The new address is forever to know as 143 King Street Bristol Pa. 19007.

The ladies and gentlemen of the Bucks County Rescue Squad past and present are pioneers and are to be commended for their struggle to give the best care for the residents of Bucks County.

It is their vision that has made us what we are today.