Tuesday night saw the end of a 73-year-old tradition.
The Burlington Rescue Squad, a volunteer emergency medical service that has covered the City and Town of Burlington since 1946, officially disbanded when the clock struck midnight.
“It’s bittersweet,” said Burlington Rescue Squad Chief Jeff Koenen, who frequently refers to the volunteer service as a tight-knit family and bonafide lifestyle. “Basically, it’s grief.”
With the end of one era begins another. The City of Burlington Fire Department will now run EMS calls in the town and city, picking up where the Rescue Squad left off.
“The city is prepared to assume the responsibilities that come with providing EMS services to the city and the township,” city Fire Chief Alan Babe said Tuesday morning in his office. “We’ll be staffed accordingly.”
The writing was on the wall for the Rescue Squad’s dissolution for quite some time. Volunteerism is down and call volume is up.