The Tri-Boro First Aid Squad, Inc., was organized September 25, 1939, as the Butler First Aid Squad. The name was later changed to Tri-Boro First Aid Squad Inc. On May 30, 1940, a new Buick ambulance was placed in service. This was presented to the squad by Councilman Thomas N. D. Mace of Butler. On December 5th, Trustee Charles Koschka donated a small truck to the squad. Through the kindness of Mr,. Floyd Demerest, the squad has used space in the Butler Service Station on Route 23 as its headquarters.
In 1970 Tri-Boro built their present headquarters on Morse Avenue in Butler. In 1985 and 1987 Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Steinmetz of Kinnelon, New Jersey, donated two new ambulances. It is through the generosity of all our neighbors in the three towns that we service that we are able to continue our cause -- to help the sick and injured
Walt Mutzenback who joined the squad in 1967 and Helen Wyckoff who joined the squad in 1973 are the two active members that are still part of the squad. When Wyckoff joined the squad, they had two separate divisions. A men's division and a women's division. The women were not allowed to ride at night and they had no say in what went on in the squad. When it came to voting, only the men could vote as far a how to spend the money. Tri-Boro had a liaison, one of the female members went to the men's meeting and one male member went to the women's meeting. In 1970s two women on the squad, Marion Bloomquist and Linda Markacelli decided that they should become one squad and not two. At this time they conceded to let the women ride until midnight, then they realize that the women were needed 24 hours a day, same as the men. The men and women have been working great together ever since.
The Squad is funded by the towns of Butler, Bloomingdale, and Kinnelon giving small amounts of money. Each municipality gives Tri-Boro a certain amount of money. Most of Tri-Boros finacial is from outside or from residents of the town who contribute each year.
Before the 911 System if an individual needed an ambulance they would call Butler Police Station and then they police station would dispatch the squad by phone. Now when a 911 call comes in the squad is dispatched immediately through pagers.
Tri-Boro would take patients mostly to Chilton Hospital. If it was a trauma case they would go to either Morristown, St. Joseph's, or Hackensack. Tri-Boro would also take patients where they wanted to go. If they were ill and wanted to go to Toms River Tri-Boro would take them down if necessary. The squad traveled as far as Vermont.
Floyd Decker and his two sons joined the squad and Speed Whritenor became involved in the town of Butler, these few gentlemen came up from Pompton and formed a squad in Butler. One of Tri-Boro charge members, Jerome "speed" Whritenor was a member for 49 years. Earl Dean was a former police chief and was a charter member of the squad in 1939 and Tom Clearly was also a charter member. Without these gentlemen Tri-Boro would not be here today. It is the members that really help to make the squad what it is today. When the building on Morse Avenue was built they sold bricks to build it.
In 1970 Tri-Boro built their present headquarters on Morse Avenue in Butler. In 1985 and 1987 Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Steinmetz of Kinnelon, New Jersey, donated two new ambulances. It is through the generosity of all our neighbors in the three towns that we service that we are able to continue our cause -- to help the sick and injured
Walt Mutzenback who joined the squad in 1967 and Helen Wyckoff who joined the squad in 1973 are the two active members that are still part of the squad. When Wyckoff joined the squad, they had two separate divisions. A men's division and a women's division. The women were not allowed to ride at night and they had no say in what went on in the squad. When it came to voting, only the men could vote as far a how to spend the money. Tri-Boro had a liaison, one of the female members went to the men's meeting and one male member went to the women's meeting. In 1970s two women on the squad, Marion Bloomquist and Linda Markacelli decided that they should become one squad and not two. At this time they conceded to let the women ride until midnight, then they realize that the women were needed 24 hours a day, same as the men. The men and women have been working great together ever since.
The Squad is funded by the towns of Butler, Bloomingdale, and Kinnelon giving small amounts of money. Each municipality gives Tri-Boro a certain amount of money. Most of Tri-Boros finacial is from outside or from residents of the town who contribute each year.
Before the 911 System if an individual needed an ambulance they would call Butler Police Station and then they police station would dispatch the squad by phone. Now when a 911 call comes in the squad is dispatched immediately through pagers.
Tri-Boro would take patients mostly to Chilton Hospital. If it was a trauma case they would go to either Morristown, St. Joseph's, or Hackensack. Tri-Boro would also take patients where they wanted to go. If they were ill and wanted to go to Toms River Tri-Boro would take them down if necessary. The squad traveled as far as Vermont.
Floyd Decker and his two sons joined the squad and Speed Whritenor became involved in the town of Butler, these few gentlemen came up from Pompton and formed a squad in Butler. One of Tri-Boro charge members, Jerome "speed" Whritenor was a member for 49 years. Earl Dean was a former police chief and was a charter member of the squad in 1939 and Tom Clearly was also a charter member. Without these gentlemen Tri-Boro would not be here today. It is the members that really help to make the squad what it is today. When the building on Morse Avenue was built they sold bricks to build it.
In 1939 when the squad was formed the squads headquarters was located where the AMCO Transmission building is now. It was Demarest's Garage at the time. The gentleman who owned the building allowed the squad to use the garage for the housing of the ambulances. That was there until the 1940s. In the mid 40s they built the new building on Morse Avenue.
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In 1980 a gentlemen from Smoke Rise, who has passed on, and his wife, Mr. Steinmetz donated two ambulances at about $100,000 apiece. The ambulances were donated in memory of their grandson and his wife. The squad made them honorary members.
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Tri-Boro has always been at big parades in the towns. The last big parade Tri-Boro was in was in honor of their 50th anniversary in 1989. They had towns from as far away as Belmar, Seaside Heights, all over North Jersey. Both fire departments and first aid squads came to this parade. Tri-Boro had a party at the high school field afterwards. |
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Interest in first aid had started constructively with 16 members of the Butler Fire Department. June 9, 1938
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Helen and Walt's most memorable experiences was delivering a baby in February 1984. They delivered a healthy baby girl.
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