Standing Apart

The South River Rescue Squad Story

How a borough squad has served its community for over 80 years

The South River Rescue Squad has been serving the borough of South River since 1936, and it shows no signs of slowing down.

Formed to help South River’s sick and injured, the South River Rescue Squad (SRRS) was one of the first to operate in Middlesex County. Today, it stands among the oldest in the state.

When it was first formed, emergency calls for the squad averaged three to eight per week. In the beginning, the squad used an old “Paddy Wagon” police van, stocked with first aid materials. Its next vehicle was a white 1936 Lasalle. Meetings were held in a garage behind Borough Hall, and volunteers received basic first aid training.

Since the start of 2018, SRRS has taken an average of over 29 emergency calls per week. It has four ambulances, which ensures the squad can respond to multiple calls at the same time; a crash rescue truck, which enables them to assist with crashes on the N.J. Turnpike and in other towns within the county; a fire rehab trailer, which allows firefighters to take their mandatory breaks while putting out a fire in a controlled environment; and a water rescue boat, modeled after a Navy vehicle. Thanks to an abundance of employees and volunteers, members of the squad can receive extensive training for life-saving skills while providing 24/7 ambulance coverage in-town.

Unlike most local rescue squads, SRRS has three separate and distinct units:

• South River Rescue Squad, a dedicated emergency services team that has aided the community for 82 years.
• South River EMS, LLC, a company that provides in-town emergency services during hours that most volunteers aren’t available.
• The Borough Department of South River EMS, a volunteer squad co-run by the Borough of South River.

“Through our unique structure, the South River Rescue Squad provides comprehensive, 24/7 emergency services to the Borough of South River and its neighbors,” says Patrick Geraldo, Captain of SRRS. “Some might be surprised to know that we’re also a family business. My mother and uncle are lifelong members; I started out as a volunteer EMS when I was 16, and our Assistant Captain’s sister is on the squad as well.”

Whether it’s Christmas Day or Thanksgiving, members of the South River Rescue Squad are always there for the community. Their participation in life-saving trainings, delivery of comprehensive emergency services, and commitment to excellence continues to better South River and serve its residents.