Some are salaried, many are volunteers. Some serve large cities, others are on call for small towns. But common to all is the willingness to come to the assistance of members of their communities at any time and in any circumstance.

Civilian ambulance services with paid employees began in the United States in some large cities in the late-1860s. The online National EMS Museum notes that Julian Stanley Wise organized the nation’s first volunteer rescue squad in Roanoke, Va., in 1928, with others starting up shortly thereafter in Palmyra and other cities on the Atlantic coast.

The New Jersey Department of Health notes that there are a total of 772 rescue squads serving the residents of the state. Volunteer rescue squads handle nearly half of the emergency calls made by Garden State residents.

Here’s a look at vintage photos of these lifesaving groups around New Jersey. Be sure to click on the captions button for more information and links about these classic photos.

Next week: As the holiday shopping season officially begins, we'll look at department stores and shops around New Jersey. Do you have photos taken in New Jersey before 1980 of iconic shopping locations? If so, we might consider using them in a gallery. Send a jpg and description to ghatala@starledger.com.