“Service to Humanity with Tender Hearts and Gentle Hands” -as published in 1985 in the "Looking Back" booklet available in the Borough Clerks office.

As the Borough grew, it became obvious that a Rescue Squad was needed. In April of 1949, plans were outlined to civic groups of the borough for the formation of a squad. During April the first organization meeting was held in the exempt fireman’s hall on Somerset Street. Use of the hall was granted for temporary quarters.

A certificate of incorporation was filed with the Somerset County Clerk listing the names of the twenty-three charter members. The squad was qualified to service the town after completing the first aid training course given by Dunellen Rescue Squad in June of 1949.

Two vehicles were in service at this time, a 1929 Buick ambulance was presented to the squad by Plainfield’s governing body and a used 1940 LaSalle ambulance was purchased as a second vehicle on notes signed by several squad members.

During the 1950s, the ladies auxiliary was organized, the squad delivered their first baby in the ambulance, they purchased their first new ambulance and traveled to Washington DC on its first relay trip.

On July 21, 1954, the Rescue Squad purchased property at 334 Somerset Street to be the site of their new building. Notables and representatives of the Borough Council and Borough organizations along with the public joined with the squad at the dedication ceremonies of their new home on April 28, 1958.

Today [1985] each new squad member undergoes over 120 hours of classroom instruction and over 150 hours of “on-the-job” training with a senior squad member during his/her first year, but their training never ends. They are always learning new techniques and must be fully certified every three years.

Each year over 1500 borough residents call on the squad in times of sudden illness or injury. They are a voluntary, non-profit organization and the average volunteer is on duty 900 hours a year and answers over 130 calls.

On a more recent note, the North Plainfield Latin Coalition donated labor and materials to put a new roof on the Rescue Squad Building. As Councilman Douglas Singleterry said, praising the Latin Coalition and the Rescue Squad at a council meeting just after the roof was put on: “I think that’s the type of community action that we want to encourage."