Warwick Community Ambulance traces its origins back to January 1956 when the idea for a community-based ambulance service in Lititz, PA first took shape. By June of that year, the American Business Club of Lititz—known as AMBUCS—embraced the initiative, becoming the proud sponsors of Warwick Community Ambulance. Shortly after, the Warwick Ambulance Drivers Association was formed to operate the service. The very first ambulance was generously loaned to the organization, housed free of charge in a local garage. In just six months, over 850 families had signed up for membership, and the ambulance responded to 70 calls. By the end of 1956, AMBUCS had secured its own ambulance, a sleek 1954 Cadillac.
In August 1957, a piece of land was purchased to build a permanent home for the ambulance. Thanks to the incredible support of the local community, a brick two-bay garage was completed by 1958—and fully paid off that same year. Warwick Ambulance expanded its fleet in 1960 by purchasing a new Cadillac ambulance for $14,000, which was paid in full by 1962. As the community grew, so did the need for more services. By 1975, it became clear that a second ambulance was necessary to meet the demands of a rapidly growing population.
In 1979, the Lititz AMBUCS purchased the old Lititz Borough garage across the street from their original location for $23,000. This new facility was remodeled to accommodate Warwick’s growing services and eventually expanded to include sleeping quarters and a kitchen for its dedicated volunteer crew.
The original two bay garage across the street was converted into a training and storage. building.
The physical expansion of Warwick Community Ambulance was a clear sign of its commitment to the region, but it was the advancements in emergency medical services (EMS) that truly transformed the organization. In its earliest days, the only requirements to be a driver were a valid license and a willingness to serve.
By 1963, ambulance drivers were trained in basic First Aid. Fast forward to today, every provider must, at minimum, complete a course to become an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), along with training in emergency vehicle operations, incident command, and hazardous materials awareness. While the higher demands of modern EMS have all but eliminated the ability to staff with volunteers, Warwick has been fortunate to assemble a top-notch team of paid staff.
As the community continued to grow, so did Warwick’s service area. In January 2024, Warwick opened a second station in Elizabeth Township, further solidifying our commitment to the region. Today, Warwick Community Ambulance operates five ambulances, two dedicated paramedic chase units, an EMS bike team, and a specialized operations unit that supports standby events and firefighter rehabilitation. Our state-of-the-art equipment includes Zoll X Series Advanced Monitors, LUCAS mechanical CPR devices, Sapphire IV pumps, and Stryker Power Load stretcher systems in every vehicle.
With a fully paid staff of nearly 50 dedicated EMTs, Advanced EMTs, paramedics, and pre-hospital registered nurses (PHRNs), Warwick Community Ambulance continues to provide exceptional emergency care to the community, staying true to its founding core values of service, dedication, and compassion.
