OUR STORY

Leonardo First Aid Squad began in 1951 by Alvin Maxson and John Nepp.

The first ambulance was a used Oldsmobile that was parked at Alvin Maxson's house on Leonard Ave by Highway 36.

Calls would come into the Brentwood Hotel by a special phone. The members were then called at their homes to respond to the emergency. Members would be on duty for usually 12 hours at a time. Members had to stay at their homes while on duty.

Soon after the squad began they were given a garage located on the Dempsey property on Center Avenue to house their ambulance.

In 1953 the squad was deeded land on Viola Ave, the squad's current location.

The original building had only two bays and a small meeting room. Over the next few years the squad expanded and acquired their first rescue truck. As time went on we had to put an addition onto the building to fit all our equipment. This addition made our building its present size.

The first outside siren to alert members of a call had a neon green cross on it to show people where to go in an emergency.

Through out the years we had several ambulances including Cadillacs and Oldsmobiles.

The first aid saw many changes over the years, expanding to include a water rescue unit Water rescue unit.

In the early 1970's the squad had purchased its first box ambulance, a Horton box placed on a Chevrolet Pick-up chassis.

As the membership grew so did the number of children interested in being part of the first aid, in 1968 the Junior First Aiders program was established. This program is still functioning today and its members are now called the EMS Cadets.

In 1981 an explosion and fire destroyed the ambulance and rescue bays as well as a 1971 Cadillac ambulance and caused excessive damage to our other equipment and the building.

The squad again suffered a serious fire in 1990. Once again the ambulance bays were damaged, thankfully our ambulances were saved by members who drove them out of the building during the fire.

In 1992 Leonardo First Aid expanded again and added a Dive team as a result of several serious water rescue calls.

Leonardo First Aid continues to strive for the best, with a first responder vehicle, 2 ambulances, a rescue truck, a dive truck, and 2 boats, we service our community by answering emergency calls throughout the township of Middletown including mutual aid to several surrounding towns.

Mission

The mission of the Leonardo First Aid & Rescue Squad shall be to rescue or render first aid to the injured regardless of race, color, or creed and provide proper transportation of the sick or infirmed.
All efforts of the squad shall be constructed to cover the general area serviced by the squad and any area designated by the Township, State, County or Civil Defense authorities. The squad shall further the cause of First Aid, Life Saving, and General Safety in all its branches. The Squad will answer emergency calls within the Township and surrounding communities providing EMS and Rescue to include but not limited to MVC, surface water, underwater and general, search, recovery and rescue operations.

Vision

The Leonardo First Aid & Rescue Squad envisions the future of EMS as a progressive, data-driven, patient-centric practice where high-quality training, cutting-edge equipment and a healthy cadre of volunteers stand ready to respond to any emergency situation it is called upon to respond.

PAST PRESIDENTS

Year	President
1988	Arthur Salisbury
1989	Calvin Stone, Sr. / Glen Morehead
1990	William Reed
1991	William Reed
1992	Jerry Long / William Reed
1993	Jerry Long
1994	Patrick Campbell, Sr.
1995	Patrick Campbell, Sr.
1996	Stacy Kelly
1997	Stacy Kelly
1998	Stacy Kelly
1999	Brian Anderson

PAST CAPTAINS

Year	Captain
1988	Chet Tomanek
1989	Chet Tomanek
1990	Chet Tomanek
1991	Thomas Stone
1992	Thomas Stone / Chet Tomanek
1993	Thomas Stone
1994	Chet Tomanek
1995	Thomas Stone
1996	David Nelson
1997	David Nelson
1998	Betsy Alverson
1999	David Nelson