20 Photos of Early Emergency Responders That Are Pure ‘Old School Cool’

Nostalgia All History Lifestyle Work 4 days ago

Long before modern technology and its accompanying medical equipment achieved the heights that it has now, early emergency responders had to hit the road with little more than fearlessness and rudimentary tools. It’s only appropriate to pay respects to some of the early emergency responders with a top-notch collection of vintage photos from the early, gritty days.

1. Randolph Mantooth and Kevin Tighe. Squad 51 on Emergency.

Two men in uniform stand in front of a Los Angeles County Fire Department rescue vehicle. One leans against the truck with his arm, while the other stands with hands on hips. The background shows a building with large windows and curtains.
u/friggin/via reddit

These guys aren’t messing around.

2. Freedom House Ambulance service, the first modern paramedics (1967).

A group of men and women stand in front of an emergency ambulance parked at a hospital entrance. They are wearing formal attire, and some have lab coats. A sign above reads "Ambulance Entrance." The group appears to be hospital staff.
u/wombocombo12/via reddit

All accounted for and ready for duty.

3. A journalism professor as an EMT in 1990.

A paramedic wearing sunglasses attends to a patient inside an ambulance. The patient is lying down while the paramedic kneels beside them, performing a medical procedure or check-up. Medical equipment is visible in the background.
u/deleted/via reddit

Would love to hear more of this lad’s life story.

4. A squad of EMTs in Cambria, CA (1983).

A vintage black and white photo of five park rangers in uniform posing on rocky coastal terrain. Three are seated on rocks, while two stand behind them. The ocean is visible in the background, with waves crashing on the shore.
u/chancesum/via reddit

A very wholesome moment shared by one courageous team.

5. Charleston Fire before Hurricane Hugo (1989).

Seven firefighters in uniform stand and sit in front of two fire trucks inside a garage. One firefighter sits on a chair, and the others stand or lean casually. The trucks are parked side by side, with one red and one white.
u/kitkattaco04/via reddit

The sunglasses was a definite power move, and I’m here for it.

6. An American ambulance in 1967.

A red and white vintage ambulance is parked on a grassy field under a cloudy sky. A group of people, some on bicycles, gather nearby, watching a sports event in the distance.
u/starlord1667/via reddit

What a ride.

7. An emergency, 1970 custom Chevy Suburban.

A vintage white EMS vehicle with a red medical symbol and "Conejos County EMS Ambulance" text is parked under a wooden shelter. It has a classic Chevrolet front, and red lights on top. A blue tractor and red building are visible in the background.
u/ungopack77/via reddit

They got it custom-made and ti turned out spectacularly.

8. Philippine General Hospital ambulance circa 1940s.

A vintage ambulance with "Philippine General Hospital" written on the side is parked on a road. A man in a military-style uniform stands beside it. There's a large historic building and lush trees in the background.
u/hanselgretel/via reddit

Looking sharp.

9. An ambulance company that started in the ’70s.

A group of people in uniform pose in front of a vintage ambulance labeled "Union Co. West End Fire Co." There are nine individuals standing and two kneeling, with a rural background and clear sky.
u/limerick/via reddit

These guys look like they’re having a great time.

10. An ambulance fleet (Richmond,VA) circa 1980.

A man in a uniform stands outdoors in front of several red and white ambulances parked on a gravel surface. The ambulances have the word "Dominion" visible on the side. Trees are in the background.
u/purple9999/via reddit

What a stud.

11. A rescue animal ambulance from the 1940’s.

Two women in coats and hats carry a box labeled "Animal Ambulance" with a dog inside. They walk down a street, with a vehicle in the background. The setting appears to be historical.
u/chicagochurro/via reddit

Now this is just pulling on all the heart strings.

12. Doctors from the ’30s posing by an ambulance.

Two men in white uniforms stand beside an early 20th-century ambulance with "Methodist Episcopal Hospital" written on it. One man leans on the vehicle, and a medical bag is on the ground. They're outside a brick building.
u/yodahead/via reddit

They definitely practiced before taking this photo.

13. Ambulance and it’s crew stuck in the mud in 1930.

Black-and-white photo of two men standing beside a vintage, mud-covered vehicle with a cross symbol and "T.B." letters on the side. Both are wearing vests, ties, and rolled-up sleeves. The background features trees and brush.
u/statearchives/via reddit

You can already tell these guys have some stories.

14. Women firefighters from the Achille Serre Ladies Fire Brigade in London, England, 1926.

Two women in vintage firefighter uniforms aim a hose upwards, practicing outside with water spraying. Old trucks and a wagon are in the background, suggesting an early 20th-century setting.
u/electricalaspect13/via reddit

Seriously, a legendary shot.

15. A NYC firefighter circa mid 1960s.

Black and white photo of a firefighter in full gear sitting on the step of a fire truck. The firefighter is looking to the side, wearing a heavy jacket and an air tank. The scene suggests a moment of rest during or after an operation.
u/anonymous/via reddit

This guy definitely deserved a quick pit stop.

16. Some volunteer firefighters in the early 1900’s.

Four people in firefighting gear stand in front of a vintage fire truck. They are wearing helmets and long coats. A Dalmatian lies on the ground in front of them. The photo is black and white, conveying a vintage feel.
u/earlyindependent8085/via reddit

The Dalmatian was an immaculate touch.

17. Firefighters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, circa 1920.

A vintage black and white photo of a group of firefighters posing on an early 20th-century fire engine. The vehicle is parked on a cobblestone street, with a building featuring arched windows in the background.
u/makeithappen/via reddit

Look at these guys all ready to go.

18. New York City Firefighters battle a fire while covered in icicles, 1940.

Three firefighters wearing ice-covered gear and helmets spray water from a hose. They work together in challenging freezing conditions, with their coats and helmets glistening with ice as they focus on their task.
u/jab116/via reddit

Now that is not the day you want to be stuck working.

19. Firefighters in Manhattan, New York (1978).

Firefighters in helmets and gear with breathing apparatus stand together, focusing intently. They are surrounded by breathing tanks and appear ready for action in a dimly lit environment, suggesting they are on duty or in a drill.
u/ultimatelazer87/via reddit

These guys are ready for action.

20. Early firefighter suit from the early 1900s that would allow the firefighter to get closer to the fire.

A firefighter in an early 20th-century protective suit sprays water upward, creating a cascading water effect around their head. Onlookers and hoses are visible in the background on a wet street.
u/dougdemurio/via reddit

A pretty impressive suit for being from back in the day and all.

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