Our Proud History
For eight decades, Chester First Aid Squad volunteers have answered thousands of calls, forming a proud legacy of service, resilience, and community trust. See how our organization has evolved throughout the decades.
U.S. House of Representatives Honors Chester First Aid Squad for 80 Years of Service
2025 marked a remarkable milestone–the 80th anniversary of the Chester First Aid Squad. Since 1945, generations of our volunteers have answered emergency calls, providing lifesaving care to our community.
In honor of this service, we were deeply humbled to be recognized in October 2025 by the U.S. House of Representatives, with Congressman Thomas H. Kean, Jr. presenting us with a Congressional Record resolution and a flag flown over the U.S. Capital.
NJ State Assembly Honors Chester First Aid Squad for 80 Years of Service
CFAS was deeply honored by a joint legislative resolution presented by Assemblyman Inganamort, Senator Space and Assemblywoman Fantasia:
“WHEREAS, The Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey are pleased to acknowledge the Chester First Aid Squad upon this auspicious occasion and commend its dedicated volunteers, who have selflessly devoted their time, energies, and skills to ensure the safety and wellbeing of their neighbors and fellow citizens for a remarkable eight decades…..WHEREAS, the volunteers of the Chester First Aid Squad, both past and present, have remained always ready to save lives, lessen injuries, ease pain, and provide comfort without regard for the hour, weather conditions or personal convenience…”
The Chester First Aid Squad originated in 1945 as a branch of the Chester Volunteer Fire Company. and membership was restricted to Fire Company members only. The Fire Company accepted a Ford station wagon from the Civil Defense that was converted to serve as an ambulance. In its first year, the squad handled 23 emergency calls.
In 1947, a Cadillac ambulance was purchased through the cooperation of Mr. Robert Cole and the older Ford station wagon was sold to the highest bidder. Emergency calls increased to 40 for the year.
In 1955, a base radio station and mobile sets for each piece of rolling equipment were purchased through the Civil Defense matching fund plan. The First Aid Squad also purchased an electric air horn to alert to an emergency call.
In 1957, the First Aid Squad, with help from the Borough and Township of Chester, purchased a new Cadillac ambulance. The squad handled 89 emergency calls for the year.
In 1964, the First Aid Squad purchased home receivers (plectrons) for all squad members to alert them to emergency calls.
In 1973, a new Cadillac ambulance was purchased which is still currently owned by the squad and shown in parades. The squad responsed to 342 calls for the year.
In the late 70’s and early 80’s as call volumes continued to increase, it became necessary to find a better way to alert members for calls. Motorola introduced the Minitor pager which could be worn on a members’s waistband and would activate for emergencies. Now members could be alerted to calls when they were away from home, without having to hear the alert horn.
In 1987, the squad became independent of the Fire Company and became the Chester First Aid Squad Inc. As a new organization starting at financial ground level, the Chester Lions Club generously donated a new $65,000 ambulance, and membership was opened to any Chester resident.
Today, the Chester First Aid Squad is a thriving volunteer organization with more than 50 members, including EMTs, drivers, and first responders. We are immensely proud of our history and the generations of volunteers who have served before us. As we look ahead to the future, we remain committed to providing emergency care to the Chester community for many years to come.
Won’t you consider joining our team and becoming part of the next chapter in our story?
