Applications
Must Be 18 Or
Older
P.O. Box 0513
Ephrata, Pa 17522
Station# (717)738-0115
Fax# (717)738-4035
Defense Squad. It was formed around 1960 as a division of the Lancaster County Civil
Defense, which is now Lancaster County Emergency Management. They were 1 of
only 6 such units in Lancaster County and were put into service to handle any civil
defense emergencies. New challenges and growth, fueled by progress and technology,
required new and more complex rescue services that over the past 40 years drove the
evolution into the "Heavy Rescue Unit" that responds today. In 2003 the Rescue
Service responded to over 100 emergency calls, ranging from vehicle accidents to water
rescues. Originally the organization consisted of only 10 members and was housed
behind the Ephrata Review building at 50 East Main Street. Many moves later, the
finally settled in at the Ephrata Borough garages.
In 1978, the Ephrata Civil Defense Unit was the only remaining unit in the county.
The Squad shortened its' name to Ephrata Rescue, which is how it is know today. As
times changed and the community grew so did the membership and demand on the
Ephrata Rescue. The leadership of Ephrata Rescue saw the need to add additional
tools and equipment, along with more training to provide more services such as, water
rescues, rope rescue and any other possible form of disaster. As we now know from
the deadly events of 9/11/01, to be prepared for any emergency is the next to impossible
goal of all emergency service providers.
In the summer of 1985, Ephrata Rescue moved its' home to the Old Mentzer Coal Yard
Building, located at 5 West Locust Street. After many renovations, along with a new
shed, the Rescue unit settled into its new home in November of that year. In March of
1986, Ephrata Rescue legally changed its' name to Ephrata Area Rescue Services, Inc.,
and became a non-profit organization.
In 1987, the need for a new vehicle arose and the Rescue assembled a Ford Econoline
van, with a reading work body. The truck was well equipped to perform the functions
of the Rescue Service. As the community grew over the years and technology
continued to race forward, more and more services were needed, requiring the Rescue
Service to purchase another vehicle. In December 1994 a New 1994 GMC Topkick
Chassis with a Smeal Body was purchased to better serve the Ephrata area. In 2000,
Ephrata Rescue moved to its' current location at 609 North State Street. The State
Street location was purchased to properly house the growing membership and
equipment compliment of the Rescue operations.
Ephrata Area Rescue Services, Inc. is not affiliated in any way with any of the local
fire or ambulance companies. It is an independent provider of specialized, technical
rescue services, including vehicle, water, high angle rope, industrial, building collapse
and RIT (Rapid Intervention Team) rescue disciplines. Ephrata Rescue Services
however, works closely with the emergency providers in the Ephrata area to assure the
residents are receiving the highest level of emergency response available. If it were not
for the team work of these organizations, the areas emergency response capability
certainly would be lacking.
Ephrata Rescue personnel will continue to respond to all types of rescue emergencies,
equipped with specialized tools and training, removing the patients from their cars, on
water rescues, in boats to rescue people or at building collapses using their trained
skills. Ephrata Area Rescue Services Inc., and its' volunteers are dedicated to serving
the public and assisting their neighbors in time of need. That it why our motto is.........
"WE VOLUNTEER BECAUSE WE CARE"
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