In March of 1975, the Garner-St. Mary’s Rescue Squad went into service and answered its first call.  Prior to this time, ambulance service in the Garner area was provided by a private ambulance service and area funeral homes.  The first emergency response vehicle was a converted Carolina Power & Light Truck built by many community hands but most importantly, the families of Brantley Tutor, Dudley Buffaloe and Marvin Sykes, founding members of Garner-St. Mary’s Rescue Squad.  Unfortunately, the sudden death of Brantley Tutor was the third call answered by the squad.  The squad renewed its efforts and soon converted a used van into the first transporting ambulance.  In December of 1975, the first rescue truck went into service.  This vehicle was outfitted from an old bread van.  In October of 1977, the rescue truck used its new Hurst Power Tool for the first time at a motor vehicle accident with a person entrapped in the wreckage on Simpkins Road.

Around 1980, the squad purchased its first two rescue boats for water rescue operations.  Both of these boats are still in service today.  In 1983, the present rescue squad building on Vandora Springs Road was placed in service.  Over the next few years, several new ambulances, a rescue truck and a quick response vehicle were added to the fleet.  The level of care also increased from EMT-Basic to EMT-Intermediate.  The rescue squad averaged 1800 calls a year.  In 1988, the squad moved forward to provide EMT-Paramedic level care to the community.

In December of 1992, the Garner-St. Mary’s Rescue Squad officially changed its name to Garner EMS & Rescue Squad.  In early 1993, the purchase of a large heavy rescue truck was completed.  This vehicle remained in service until September of 2007.  In response to a large increase in emergency calls, paid personnel were hired to provide EMS services.  During the evening hours and on weekends, a dedicated group of volunteers continued to donate many hours of time and training to respond to emergency calls.  These volunteers held certifications from EMT to Paramedic and saved tax payers many thousands of dollars each year.

As the squad entered into a new millennium, the fleet inventory consisted of five ALS ambulances, one heavy rescue truck, one chief’s vehicle and three rescue boats.  The call volume increased to over 5000 calls a year.  In early 2006, paid personnel were added to the rescue division to help maintain coverage 24/7 and in 2007, a new heavy rescue vehicle was purchased to replace the previous one.  In addition, a second heavy rescue vehicle was purchased and added to the fleet.

In November of 2008, Wake County Commissioners approved the franchise request for our third division, Garner Medical Transport.  This division handles non-emergency medical transport and wheelchair services.  In December of 2008, the total call volume for Garner EMS & Rescue Squad exceeds 6000 calls a year.  The current fleet consists of five ALS ambulances, two heavy rescue trucks, two BLS ambulances, one wheelchair van, a chief’s vehicle, a supervisor’s vehicle, three boats and an ATV.  We continue to operate with a dedicated staff of both paid and volunteer staff.

In July of 2009, an administrative office annex was opened at 920 7th Avenue in Garner. The Chief, Division Chief, and Office Manager have move into this new facility. It is located on the second floor of the KS Bank Building directly across from the Garner Main Station. The Board Room and Training / Meeting Rooms are also located in this new facility as well.

During the beginning of 2010, the Garner EMS & Rescue Squad found itself in financial difficulties during tough economic times. In talks with Wake County, with whom this agency contracted EMS service with, it was decided that a transition of the EMS Division into Wake County would be the best for both Garner EMS & Rescue Squad and the people it serves. On May 31, 2010, this transition was complete and Wake County EMS assumed EMS operations in the Garner area.

In July of 2010, after a downsizing and reorganization of the Garner Rescue Squad to two divisions, the administrative annex was closed and all administrative and operational components of the organization were moved to the original station location, located at 990 Vandora Springs Road.

Garner EMS & Rescue Squad looks forward to many more years of dedicated service to the citizens of Garner and Wake County, N.C.