The squad formed in early 1967 with meetings in members’ homes to discuss how to form a squad and when they could get started and all the details to make it a reality. By August of ‘67, the squad received a donation of a used rig from the Newton First Aid Squad and,with 18 members, they started to answer calls officially on August 1st but only in the Stockholm section of town. They used a donated garage bay from James Schaffer to house the rig.

The membership grew to about 25 responders and started looking into coverage of the north side of town. In 1971, the membership also purchased a piece of land from Richard and his brother Jack Zuidema. In 1972 the building was completed and still is the foundation of our current Stockholm building. In 1972 the membership also voted to purchase it’s first NEW Ambulances with a generous donation from a former member’s will,(Helen Delagren); a 1972 chevy van for $11,000. Early in 1973, David Cox of Carlton Village donated the use of a garage on his property to serve the north side of town.

The township started purchasing Ambulances for the squad in 1979 and has done so ever since. Hardyston currently has 4 Ambulances; 2 housed on each side of town to serve our community and support our surrounding towns when they need aid. This year, the squad added a First Response Vehicle.

Over the years, the squad has supported many emergency response efforts throughout our region including supporting the efforts on 9-11-2001 in NYC sending EMS crews in to assist during the first days of the response.

Membership has fluctuated over the years with up to 40 members and down to 12 members. This year, 25 members serve the community with the same pride and dedication as the people who served before us.