Post 764 Ambulance Service Ambulance History
Since 1963, transportation for medical emergencies occurring in Peters Township and surrounding areas has been furnished by the VFW Ambulance Service, which celebrated its 40th Anniversary in 2003. The new ambulance facility was recently completed at a cost of $650,000. More than 70,000 calls have been answered over the years and more than 2,500 annually. We utilize up-to-date special training and new equipment to provide you with the best service to the Peters Township Community.

Post 764 Ambulance Hisory:
The following article appeared in the 40th Anniversary Banquet Program
History of the Peters Township Ambulance Service
Peters Township was different in 1963. Car dealers, pizza shops, furniture stores, shopping centers, and fast food restaurants were not to be found. Stonehenge, Colony Manor, Quail Run, and the Cidarlands were cow pastures and woods. There was only one traffic light in the township and you could still get a Bar-B-Que at the Hollywood. Medical Emergencies were handled by the three man police force and the volunteer fire department. This close knit rural community was stunned, during the summer of 1963 by a senseless tragedy. A drunk driver crossed into the oncoming lanes of traffic on route 19 near the Upper St. Clair High School and ended the lives of a Peters Township fireman and his two teenage children who were returning home from his birthday party. Public outrage was compounded by the fact that ambulances were not sent from neighboring communities because of jurisdictional disputes. The headlines proclaimed "Children Die Because of Lack of Ambulances."

Former Post Commander Ralph Barton in front of the first ambulance operated by VFW Post 764 in 1963

The newly formed Veterans of Foreign Wars was considering buying uniforms with their limited resources, but after this accident, they felt that the community would be better served by forming an ambulance service. Under the leadership of the late Ralph Barton, then Commander of the Post, a used 1954 Cadillac ambulance was located at the Ocepek Funeral Home in Library, PA. Mr. Ocepek, wanting to get out of the ambulance business, came to an agreement with the VFW to turn over the ambulance for future payment considerations, although it is reported that Mr. Barton used his personal cash to guarantee payment.

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