In 1939, concerned members of the community in Westmere decided to form their own ambulance service. Since then Western Turnpike Rescue Squad has been providing ambulance service to our community.

Western Turnpike Rescue Squad (WTRS), is a volunteer based Basic Life Support ambulance service, certified by New York state. We provide around the clock emergency transportation to hospitals via the 9-1-1 system in Guilderland. Ambulance crews of two to four people assisted by Town of Guilderland or Albany County paramedics provide services. WTRS provides service primarily to the McKownville, Westmere, Guilderland, North Bethlehem and Fort Hunter fire districts in the town of Guilderland. The Altamont Rescue Squad provides back up for us and covers the remaining two fire districts in Guilderland. To provide service to this large territory, WTRS operates two stations, each with fully equipped NY State certified ambulances.

In 2003 WTRS completed a major capital improvement.

Our old station at 1853 Western Ave, was sold and a brand new building was constructed at 200 Centre Dr. This new station includes bunk rooms, a dedicated class room, disaster ready kitchen facilities and drive thru bays for the ambulances. Separate administrative and storage spaces are also included.

In 1982, WTRS added Station 2 at 3686 Carmen Road in the Fort Hunter section of Guilderland. Station Two is a satellite station with minimal accommodations. The 2003 capital improvement also improved station two. The building was razed and a new, modern structure replaced it. Three bays for emergency vehicles, two bunk rooms a lounge and a small storage facility make up the station. Station two continues to have a more “homey” feel then Station one’s office like environment.

Who can volunteer? Well anyone! We have various membership categories that allow people to give back to their community and be a part of something very special. Our membership is divided in to Active, Limited, and Associate and Life members.

Active members are the crews staffing the ambulances. To be an active member the person must be over 21 and able to perform the functional job description for an EMT as written by New York State Department of Health. When applying for active status you may limit yourself to Driver Only or sign up to take the New York State Emergency Medical Technician class. In either case WTRS will train you in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and techniques to deal with preventing the spread of infectious disease though your work. 

All new members under go field training and orientation before being sent out on the ambulances. Field Training teaches all members the basics of being part of an ambulance crew under the tutelage of an experienced WTRS Crew Chief and must be successfully completed by all members. During field training driver only members also begin our in house driver training process. These one on one sessions with experienced drivers teach you to operate the ambulances with control and safety and how to support the EMTs and paramedics. All members over twenty-one may train to be drivers. 

Limited Members are any active members between eighteen and twenty-one years of age. The only restriction to limited members is that they may not drive the ambulance. 

Associate Members are any members who do not actively go on ambulance calls. Associate members must do something for the betterment of The Squad. This usually takes the form of working on a standing committee such as Quality Management, Buildings and Grounds or any of our other standing committees. However, it could also be helping one of our officers in their tasks. Of course if you just wanted to bake cookies for us, well... chocolate chips are a favorite of most everyone. 

So, now that you know a little about who we are and where we came from we would like to hear from you. We are always looking for new members. You can obtain a membership packet either by calling Station One 518-456-3600. We look forward to hearing from you!