This year marks the 50th anniversary of Antrim Ambulance, a half-century of unwavering commitment to providing emergency medical services to the people of Antrim, Bennington and beyond.
Since 1975, countless dedicated individuals have given their time, skill and compassion to care for their neighbors during their most critical moments. Today, Antrim Ambulance responds to more than 450 calls annually and continues to grow in both capability and professionalism.
Our humble beginnings
In 1975, a group of concerned citizens from Antrim and Bennington took bold action to safeguard their communities by forming the Antrim Bennington Rescue Squad. These founding volunteers were trained at EMTs, but in the earliest days, the squad had no ambulance of their own. They responded to scenes and relied on the Hillsborough Rescue Squad for patient transport. Some of the founding members included Marshall “Mike” Beauchamp, Barry Frosch, Richard Edmunds, Neil Sharby, Jim Rymes, Donna Holt, Marion Peat, Don Paige and Dick Atkinson, among others.
After nearly 11 months of service, the group was able to purchase its first transport vehicle, a used 1971 Chevy Suburban, from Hillsborough Rescue for $2,500. Additional funds equipped the unit with a radio for hospital communication and alerting monitors for members. With no space available at the main fire station, the vehicle was stored in a small garage bay behind Wayne’s Store (now the Antrim Market), where drivers had to navigate carefully in and out due to the low ceiling that barely cleared the red roof light.
On March 5, 1976, at 6:30 p.m., the Antrim Bennington Rescue Squad officially went into service. Just 46 minutes later, they received their first call — a motor vehicle accident on Route 202 in Bennington. Needless to say, all the volunteers were nervous, for they realized this was the very beginning of the rescue squad that they had worked so long and hard to form. The fact that they were responding to a medical emergency was of little alarm, but they knew they were undertaking a great deal more responsibility.
The first call went smoothly, and they knew that this was the real beginning of the Antrim Bennington Rescue Squad. That response marked not only a milestone, but the beginning of a long tradition of service that continues to this day.
Early years and community spirit
In the remaining months of 1976, the squad responded to 74 calls — 45 in Antrim, 20 in Bennington and nine in neighboring towns. The total operating cost was just $1,170, funded almost entirely by donations. Members served as volunteers, receiving no pay — only the reward of knowing they had helped a person in need.
By 1977, the service had grown and so had its responsibilities, and with growth came the usual challenges associated with growth. To solve some of these problems, the Bennington Fire Department had purchased a van used for the tools and equipment used in rescue and vehicle extrication. In addition, several members of the Bennington Fire Department completed a course in advanced first aid and were planning to take a course in vehicle extrication.
To streamline operations, it was decided that the Bennington Fire Department would assume responsibility for the vehicle extrication and rescue operations, while the Antrim Rescue Squad would focus on medical emergencies and patient transport.
From then on, each squad operated under their own distinct name and with separate roles. To avoid problems in identifying the two groups, the chiefs of the two fire departments, in conjunction with the select boards of the Antrim and Bennington, felt the Bennington personnel should be referred to as the Bennington Rescue Squad, and the Antrim group would be referred to as the Antrim Rescue Squad.
Growth and modernization
In 1979, the Antrim Rescue Squad acquired its first new ambulance–a Ford II type van–and kept the original Suburban as backup, giving the team the ability to run dual calls and transport multiple patients. That same year, the newly constructed Clinton Road Fire Station provided space for both the rescue and the fire department vehicles to be under one roof in a modern building.
By the early 1980s, Antrim Rescue was responding to over 100 calls per year, with nearly 20% involving motor vehicle crashes. A structured vehicle replacement program was implemented, ensuring reliability and safety. Training becomes a central focus, with volunteers from all walks of life –working professionals, retired people, working mothers, homemakers and health care workers–all coming together to serve.
Advancing care: the EMT-Intermediate and paramedic era
In 1994, the Antrim Rescue Squad officially became known as Antrim Ambulance. The year 2000 saw a leap forward in care when three members achieved the EMT intermediate-level of care, allowing them to start IVs and administer critical medications to patients. In 2009, Josh Patrick became the first paramedic on the squad and was instrumental in securing paramedic-level licensure that same year for the the ambulances. Antrim Ambulance now had ambulances operating at Advanced Life Support capabilities.
Josh continues to serve the community and is now a board-certified community paramedic (CP-C) and lead community paramedic clinician at Monadnock Community Hospital. He also teaches in the field of community paramedicine. Assistant Chief Thomas Beaumont, another seasoned paramedic with Antrim Ambulance, also serves as battalion chief in Derry, further expanding the depth of experience on the team.
Today’s service: excellence in action
Antrim Ambulance currently operates two modern ambulances — a 2014 unit and a 2022 unit, with continuous upgrades to meet evolving New Hampshire EMS standards. The department complies with all regulations and follows the latest statewide patient care protocols, including updates rolled out at recently as June 1, 2024.
Our dedicated team includes members certified at all levels: paramedic — EMT, AEMT and EMR — who selflessly give their time and skills around the clock. Whether responding at 3 p.m. or at 3 a.m., these volunteers are ready to drop everything to answer the call. Years of experience range from our newest members to those with 30 years of EMS experience.
A grateful look back–and forward
As we mark 50 years of service, we thank every past and present member of the Antrim Ambulance. Their dedication, skill and sacrifice have shaped us into the reliable, professional and compassionate EMS provider we are today. They’ve made a difference in thousands of lives.
This year also marks the 50th anniversary of National EMS Week, which this year has the theme “Honoring Our Past, Forging Our Future.” It’s a fitting reminder of how far we have come — and where we’re headed. The future of EMS is uncertain, but rest assured, we will be there when you need us.
We’re deeply grateful to our community for its continued support and generous donations. A special thanks to our mutual aid partners, Hillsborough Fire Department and Peterborough Fire and Rescue, for always answering the call when extra EMS help is needed.
Here’s to 50 years of service–and many more to come.
The current roster of Antrim Ambulance is Chief Marshall Gale, AEMT; Deputy EMS Chief Sherry Miller, AEMT; Assistant Fire Chief Thomas Beaumont, Medic; Josh Patrick, Medic; Donna Whitney, EMT; Matt Mair, AEMT; Fire Captain Barry FRosch, EMT; Fire Lt. Nick Taber, EMT; Bill Bezio, EMR; Ann Gilbert, EMT student; Brittney Demers, EMT student, Zack Andersen, EMT student; Keith Nason, EMT, Meredith Anderson, EMT.
Marshall Gale is chief of Antrim Fire & Ambulance.