Rescue 1

08/27/2026

Here's a blast from the past! It's hard to believe we were just celebrating our 70th anniversary only ten years ago. We stumbled upon this Gold Cross magazine where we celebrated the longevity of one of our longest customers, Fair Lawn Ambulance Corps. in New Jersey. In 2016, we proudly shared that we've delivered 11 PL ambulances alongside their salesman, Joe Vasta, since 1985. A decade later, we've added a few more to the list! We're proud to say that Fair Lawn has received a total of 18 vehicle deliveries since we've been working together! That's a 41 year relationship that has been fostered by the PL Custom team and Joe Vasta since day 1.

We are incredibly proud of Joe Vasta and grateful for his many years of dedication as a valued member of the New Jersey Emergency Vehicles sales team. His commitment to the customers, strong work ethic, and passion for the field, has made a lasting impact on our company and the relationships we have built over the years. Joe’s dedication and professionalism are truly appreciated, and we are proud to have him as part of the PL Custom family.

Fair Lawn has been a valued member of the PL Custom family for many years, and we are incredibly appreciative of the trust they continue to place in us time and time again for their emergency vehicle needs. Their longevity as a PL customer is a testament to the strong relationship we have built together, and the confidence they have in our products and team. We are proud to continue supporting Fair Lawn and look forward to serving their department for many years to come.

08/27/2026

Congratulations Cory on receiving Employee of the Month for July! Cory works in service and has been with us for over 9 years. Well done, Cory!

08/17/2026

It may be a little cloudy today, but there's no bad time for ice cream! A big thank you to our team for a great summer. Enjoy!

07/28/2026

Today we held our annual Service Awards to recognize our employees celebrating employment milestones with us. From 5 years to 35 years, we have 12 employees to thank for their dedicated years of service!

Anthony Sammarco - 5 years
Wayne Stewart - 10 years
Mike Kiewra - 10 years
Mitch Schultz - 10 years
Travis Avale - 20 years
Kevin Gallagher - 20 years
Jamey Pallitto - 20 years
Barry Rinkowski - 25 years
Pat McGuire - 30 years
Kerry Callinan - 35 years
Lisa Croasmun - 35 years
Don Miller - 35 years

07/17/2026

Happy Friday! To show our appreciation for the hard work our team has put in so far this year, Deb has decided that today is Ice Cream Day! We hope everyone enjoyed their sweet treat, it's important to stay cool during these heat waves!

07/16/2026

Congratulations Doug for receiving Employee of the Month for June! Doug works in service and has been working with us for nine years. Great work Doug!

07/10/2026

So sorry to hear this news! So many of us chose our paths in life because of this ground breaking show.

Randy Mantooth, beloved for his role as paramedic John Gage on 'Emergency!,' has died at age 80. His work inspired generations of EMS providers and helped bring prehospital care into the spotlight.

Read more about his amazing life and legacy here: https://ow.ly/M4j650ZmAzp

07/10/2026

For many years, we here at Rescue 1 enjoyed the guidance, partnership, and friendship that came out of our time and association with George W. Sztykiel. His impact on our industry is undeniable and we want to express our condolences for the loss of such a good man.

REMEMBERING GEORGE W. SZTYKIEL
George W. Sztykiel, pioneering engineer and founding force behind Spartan Motors, passed away earlier this week leaving behind a legacy that reshaped the fire apparatus industry. Born in 1929 in Poland, George survived the hardships of wartime occupation before immigrating to the United States, where he built a remarkable career defined by innovation, resilience, and leadership.
George spent 19 years at Chrysler as an engineer before joining Diamond Reo Trucks. When Diamond Reo declared bankruptcy in 1975, he and three fellow engineers—Bill Foster, Jerry Geary, and John Knox—joined with Form Rite’s Charles McManamey to found Spartan Motors. Their first fire truck chassis, built in a commercial garage and sold to FMC in early 1976, marked the beginning of a company that would become a cornerstone of the emergency vehicle industry.
As President, Chairman of the Board, and CEO, George led Spartan Motors with a philosophy rooted in simplicity, frugality, and engineering excellence. Under his guidance, Spartan became known for its wide, roomy cabs, efficient manufacturing processes, and groundbreaking designs that set new standards for firefighter safety and apparatus performance. Even after passing day to day responsibilities to his son, John Sztykiel, George remained an active mentor and guiding presence within the company.
“George was an extraordinary visionary whose leadership helped shape the modern fire apparatus industry,” said Mike Virnig, President of the Terex Specialty Vehicles Segment. “His relentless commitment to engineering excellence and his unwavering focus on firefighter safety set a standard for the industry. George wasn’t just a leader; he was a steady source of wisdom, humility, and encouragement. I am profoundly grateful for the guidance and friendship he shared throughout the years. His legacy will endure in every chassis built, every innovation inspired, and every firefighter whose life is made safer because of his work.”

07/04/2026

This Fourth of July marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence—a historic milestone worthy of celebration across our nation.

As PL Custom & Rescue 1 proudly celebrates our own 80th anniversary, we would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the customers, dealers, and employees who have contributed to our success over the years.

From all of us at Rescue 1, we wish you a safe, happy, and memorable Independence Day!