History of The Lake Villa Rescue Squad...

In May 1956, a group of men saw the need for emergency care for their township.  The Squad was organized by the Lake Villa Community Men's Club.  A fund drive was organized under the direction of Mr. Winsor Dalgaard.  Assisting him were Mr. Henry Ploss, Mr. Robert Bailey, Mr. Martin Lau, Mr. Harold Bestorp, Mr. Alvin Pegg, Mr. Robert McCellan and Treasurer B.J. Hooper.  By May of that year there was enough money to purchase a used panel truck from the Antioch Rescue Squad, the first Advanced Life Support Pre-hopspital Emergency Service Provider in Illinois.  This truck was then outfitted to meet the needs of the Lake Villa Rescue Squad.

The Rescue Squad went into operation on May 30, 1956.  The first important piece of equipment received by the volunteer organization was a resuscitator-inhaler donated by the West Miltmore Community Association.

Between March 1, 1956 and May 30, 1956, volunteer members of the Rescue Squad underwent a training program to acquaint them with first aid procedures.  An advanced first aid course was presented by the Red Cross.

Charter members of the Lake Villa Rescue Squad include Mr. Jake Fish, Mr. Everett (Tiny) Awe, Mr. Gene Barth, Mr. Anthony Coia, Mr. Ben Cribb, Mr. Harold McCord, Mr. Donald Oilschlager, Mr. Fred Popp Sr., Mr. Willard Schneider, and Mr. John Schueler.

When the Lake Villa Rescue Squad was founded, it served a township population of 3,048.  Today the Rescue Squad serves more than 20,000 area residents.  

During its first year, the 1956 Rescue Squad answered some 80 calls.  This can be compared to almost 1,600 calls in 2000.

Monetary contributions to the Lake Villa Rescue Squad provided the funds for the squad to buy equipment and needed replacement equipment throughout the years.  The Lake Villa Lion's Club sponsored the fund raising drives.  The Lion's Club was and outgrowth of the former Lake Villa Community Men's Club.  

The fund raising efforts of the Lion's Club was separate from any other fund raising activity conducted on behalf of the Rescue Squad. 

In 1957, when the squad faced many start-up struggles, the North Shore Area Council, Boy Scouts of America, lent an assisting hand by letting the squad use a Cadillac ambulance which was in their possession.  In July 1962, the ownership of the ambulance was transferred back to the Boy Scout Council when the squad purchased a new rescue vehicle.

In the Spring of 1964, the Lake Villa Township Rescue Squad Builders was formed to raise between $10,000 and $15,000 for a new Rescue Squad building.  At that time, the squad's two vehicles were housed in the township garage on Lake Avenue.

Leading the organization at that time was Mrs. June Eckert, President.  She represented the Lake Villa Women's Club, responsible for the idea of raising money for the new building.  Serving with her were Mr. Al Smith, Vice President, representing the Prince of Peace Holy Name Society; Mrs. Eleanor Prather, Treasurer, representing the Cedar Lake Park Improvement Association; Mrs. Rosemary Holiday, Secretary, West Miltmore Women's Club; and Mrs. Pat Parpan, Publicity, Lindenhurst Women's Club.

The group's first project was selling building bricks.  This was done in a door-to-door campaign that summer.  Each brick cost $3.00.

A mock front of the proposed two-story rescue squad building was erected at the intersection of Grand Avenue and Route 83.  With the progression of brick sales, bricks on the mock building we shaded in to depict the project's completion.

In the Spring of 1965, several Lake Villa Township organizations met and agreed to form a untied appeal on behalf of the Rescue Squad building fund.  The initial meeting was called by the Lake Villa Township Women's Club.  Rescue Squad Captain John Scheuler attended the meeting and stressed the need for a new building. 

The organizations that fronted with their support were the Lake Villa Women's Club, the Lindenhurst Men's Club, VFW Auxiliary, Petite Lake Highwoods Improvement Association, Prince of Peace Church, Lake Villa Methodist Church, Lake Villa Chamber of Commerce, Lindenhurst Police Department, and the Lake Villa Police Department.

Fund raising events planned by the group were a Fun-fair on Memorial Day, firework display on July 4, and a mother-daughter banquet at the Lake Villa Community Methodist Church. 

A massive door-to-door campaign was organized for late July and early August 1965 that covered the four corners of Lake Villa Township.  While fund raisers were knocking on doors selling building bricks, a rescue squad truck was going up and down the streets with its siren wailing, responding to the aid of Lake Villa and Lindenhurst residents.

When the drive was completed, a total of $5,278.38 was collected.  Mr. Smith, Vice President of the Rescue Squad Builders, hailed the drive as "the most successful fund campaign ever conducted in Lake Villa Township."

In the late summer of 1968, the total collected by the 83 volunteers was $7,026.92.  The Rescue Squad Builders were still looking for a site and put out a call for a donation of land.

It was estimated that it would cost $12,000 to completely finish the interior and exterior of the 28 by 42 foot two-story cement block building of colonial type construction.  Plans were drawn by N.H. Engle and Sons of Lindenhurst.

The cost included all materials and labor except for the carpenters who donated their time.

In 1965, the proceeds of the annual Lake Villa Rescue Squad Dance were turned over to the building fund.  A rummage sale was planned for the fall and sports movies and other films of interest to fathers and sons were shown for which admission was charged.

Proceeds for a dance held February 29, 1966 at the VFW Home in Lake Villa pushed the donation fund for the building past the $12,000 goal.  Although 1,500 tickets were sold for the dance, only 300 people were in attendance for the event which happened on a cold Chicago winter evening, minus 10 degrees in Lake Villa.

The Rescue Squad Builders planned a final dinner for all the women who helped make the building fund a success.  The dinner and fashion show was held February 16, 1966 and the wives of the Rescue Squad Members were all guests of honor.

"They are the ones who have to get their husbands out of bed...to make calls," commented Mr. Al Smith, Vice Chairman of the Rescue Squad Builders at the time.

On May 27, 1966, the time and effort of the Rescue Squad Builders paid off when final papers were signed for the 55 by 175 foot vacant lot on Lake Street.  Construction of the new Rescue Squad building was assured.

The builders purchased the land from Bud Avery for $2,300.  Rescue Squad Captain John Scheuler said at the time, "It's an ideal spot for the Rescue Squad.  We have water and sewer right on Lake Street and it makes the site that much cheaper for us."

Following the purchase of the lot, the Rescue Squad Builders had $12,607 in cash that was spent for materials and labor for the construction of the building.  Many business firms and individuals donated their services for the construction of the building.

In 1975, and addition was added to the building.  The addition was used to house the boat and motor of the squad plus the new vehicle that was purchased.  There was also a workshop area in the new addition.

The Rescue Squad still owns the original Lake Avenue Building, but now operates out of a large 7-bay facility at 910 East Grand Avenue which is owned by the Lake Villa Fire Protection District.