Rescue Wagons of B-CC RS

Here is a topic of great interest to me and I am sure many others. One I have managed to wrangle through at times even getting confused with the various wagons over the years. Hopfully I have it straight and welcome any input or additions. This is Part 1 of a series.

The Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad (B-CC RS) serving Montgomery County Maryland has quite a history of rescue trucks over the years. This emergency ambulance and rescue service entity formed in 1937 as the Chevy Chase First Aid Corps based in Upper Northwest Washington DC. With the nation's entry into World War II, service was suspended as its members enlisted for military service promising to return after the war. They did just that in 1945, this time moving to Bethesda re-titling as the Bethesda-Chevy Chase First Aid Corps later Rescue Squad.



1947 photo from bccrs.org



Their first rescue truck went in service that year, an unknown make (maybe GMC) all red parcel van. Reported as an ex airport vehicle this as shown in the picture (photo dated 1947 from bccrs.org) had four spotlights and a loud speaker on the roof.

Photo from bccrs.org

In 1955 the squad adds its first "new" and rescue wagon. This is a stout looking all white, two-door GMC with unknown make about 10-foot half canopy covered compartmented body. In the photo at right it is seen backing into their Fairmont Avenue home previously of the short lived VFD of Bethesda. (not to be confused with the Bethesda FD a different and precedant entity).



Factory photo courtesy
Warren Jenkins



In 1962, comes an imposing looking two-door cab-over Mack "N". This is a Budd cab similar to the Ford "C" instead with a bulldog. It was matched to a Bruco three-quarter enclosed 16-foot walk-in compartmented body with driver's side entry door, (look closly under middle window) forward crew seats looking out windows over the cab plus three spotlights on each side in the step up area behind the enclosed section.  Designated Rescue 19 this replaced the GMC that reportedly went to Upper Darby Pennsylvania. It however proves problematic as soon after portions of the new Capital Beltway open with 65-75 mph speeds and the truck as I have been told was slow off the line.



From MIke Sanders collection



In 1964, the squad makes some changes adding a small four-door International "1700" with Baker one-third covered and compartmented utility body this as Rescue 18.



Robert Washburn photo
courtesy of Warren Jenkins



This light duty rescue is likely for interim use while Rescue 19 has it's Bruco body remounted matched with a two-door new '64 GMC "6000". This truck could "move" as I in spite of my youth at the time can attest. Sadly it's over cab windows were covered as the new cab is taller.

In part 2 we will cover the mammoth Kenworths that follow.