A meeting sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Valley Forge was held on September 28, 1961 to organize a new emergency ambulance and rescue squad in Upper Merion Township. This was the result of a meeting in October of the prior year when the Joint Service Club Committee and the Hospital Study Committee recommended an ambulance organization for the community rather than a hospital.
The original intent was to form an ambulance service capable of performing a full range of rescue services. After the start-up costs were estimated for rescue equipment, it was decided to begin with only ambulance service. The first ambulance, an “International,” was housed in June 1962 at the Kunda Sign Company on DeKalb Pike.
On October 23, 1969 Lafayette Ambulance, as a non-profit supported by contributions from the community, dedicated their new headquarters located on North Henderson Road. The $55,000, one-story facility contained room for two ambulances, an office reception area, a kitchenette, and a multipurpose room for squad functions and training center for first aid classes. At the time the rescue group was composed of 22 men who provided 24-hour ambulance service seven days a week. Due to the growth of Upper Merion Township, a second ambulance was purchased.
In 1972, a second floor was added to the building and the first radio was bought. Until this time, squad members communicated only via telephone. Dispatch was later done by the Upper Merion Police Department through the direct line “Red Phone” and police radio. A Junior Member Program stared in April 1974.
For many years prior to the formation of Lafayette Ambulance, the Goodwill Fire Company Ambulance, based in Bridgeport, served Upper Merion Township and provided mutual aid until their 1999 closure.
First Ambulance (Courtesy of Lafayette Ambulance)
