The Bloomsbury Rescue Squad came into existence, indirectly, as the result of a tragedy.  A small boy fell into the Musconetcong River and drowned.  Because of this tragedy, the fire company and ladies auxiliary decided to purchase a resuscitator so that they could be prepared for any future emergencies.  Eleven firemen and auxiliary members took the training and became the "Resuscitator Squad".  In the beginning, the members answered calls in their own vehicles while carrying the resuscitator.  Later a box on one of the fire trucks carried the resuscitator.

At that time, the Phillipsburg Emergency Squad was the responding squad in the Bloomsbury area.  Aside from being kept busy in their own town, they also were responding to accident calls on Jugtown Mountain.  At every chance they had, they tried to persuade members of the Resuscitator Squad in Bloomsbury to start a Rescue Squad in Bloomsbury.  After a lot of discussion, the Bloomsbury Rescue Squad was formed and incorporated, on November 30, 1953, and went into service on January 1, 1954.

The LaFrance ambulance was kept in the barn of Charlie Brandt who served as the first Captain of the Squad.  Elsie Koppe served as the first Co-Captain.  In November of 1954, with the permission of the town council, an addition was built on the firehouse and this became the first Rescue Squad building.  The Squad stayed there until the new firehouse was finished in 1960.  At that time, the borough took over the Squad's building, in exchange for room in the new building.

The Squad purchased a 1948 ambulance from the Whitehouse Rescue Squad in October 1955 and used this until it bought it's first new ambulance in June, 1960.  In 1963, the Squad purchased a GMC truck chassis with the body made to fit the desired specifications.  The Squad was very proud of this new ambulance but this excitement was short lived.  While en route to an accident at the foot of Jugtown Mountain, a tractor-trailer jack-knifed and collided with the new ambulance.  As a result of this accident, the need for radio communication was realized.  The squad had a radio system installed that year and it proved to be a very necessary piece of equipment.

We became a two-ambulance squad in 1969 with the purchase of a new Chevrolet ambulance.  In 1971 the Squad replace the 1963 GMC with a new Swab modular ambulance.

In 1972, Plectrons were purchased  were purchased for each member to have in his or her home and 24-hour answering services in Phillipsburg was used to handle calls.

In 1973, the Junior Rescue Squad was formed under the advisement of the Senior Squad.

In 1981, the Squad purchased two new rigs.  They consisted of a GMC rescue truck, which was designed by members of the Squad to handle both on and off road emergencies, and a Ford modular ambulance designed for the present and future needs of the Squad.

In the early 1980's, with ownership of our building changing, the Squad was finally able to get the third bay to house our vehicles.  This also made it possible to create a meeting room and business office.

The 1990's brought more change to the Squad.  In 1996, the Squad sold 43-52, 1980 type III ambulance, and purchased a custom built 1996 type III (43-53) ambulance designed by members (still currently in service).  Then, in 1998, the Squad purchased a 1997 GMC Suburban and turned this into a First Response vehicle.

While the present growth of the area and the more advanced training requirements are realized in the State of New Jersey, the Bloomsbury Rescue Squad has again designed an ambulance to fill it's present and future needs, with our current 43-52, a 2003 Ford E450 type III modular PL custom ambulance.

In September 2006, the Squad purchased a 2006 GMC 5500 series KME custom designed Rescue Truck, that culminated after 5 years of intensive research and design by our members. 

Shortly after the Squad's acquisition of our First Response Vehicle in 2007, a GMC Trail Blazer identified as 43-58, the vehicle was responsible for saving a life that wouldn't have happened without it.  The first response vehicle responded directly the scene of an incident, allowing the member to witness a victim of a cardiac arrest.  Having all the appropriate equipment in the vehicle at hand, the member was able to immediately apply an AED and, with one shock, circulation was restored and the victims life was saved all before the arrival of the ambulance or paramedics.

Over the years, the training required to provide the best possible care to the people we serve has greatly increased.  The members of this organization have spent many hours in training, both locally and in area hospitals.  The initial training of a member of this organization is between 120 and 150 hours of classroom training, combined with 10 hours of in-hospital emergency room training. 

The residents in our responding areas make all the equipment, training and rigs possible.  This rescue squad operates totally on the donations of the people and the townships we serve.  Through their generosity, this organization continues to provide the best emergency care possible.