The current Sterling Volunteer Rescue Squad was founded in 1964 as a result of the Sterling Park Jaycee’s “Grand Project,” first proposed by John A. Costello, Charter President of the Sterling Park Jaycees.

Don Kelly was the Charter President, and Jake Burkowski was the Charter Captain. The first ambulance was a used ’59 Chevrolet Carryall, housed at Arlyn Black’s Shell Station. On Feb. 27, 1965, SVRS ran its first call, a motor vehicle accident.

The organization continued to grow in response to the needs of the community. In 1966, SVRS purchased its first new ambulance, a 1966 Chevy Carryall. In the early years, volunteers responded to calls from their homes, parking the vehicles at their houses. In November 1967, the organization moved into its first headquarters at 304 N. Sterling Blvd. On May 7, 1968, a fire destroyed the 1959 Carryall Ambulance.

The community continued to grow, and technology became more complex. A modern station was needed to house Sterling’s rescue and fire suppression. On January 7, 1971, Station 15 was dedicated at 104 Commerce Street in Sterling Park. It was a single-floor station, housing both rescue, and fire capabilities. Sterling Rescue had a modern headquarters for its operations. The narrative at the time was “Finally a headquarters building we’ll never outgrow!” The needs of the community, advances in emergency medical services, and fire support practices and equipment would eventually result in an increase in requirements beyond what could be envisioned at that time. In 1971, “Sterling 1″ was placed in service. Sterling 1 was a GMC/Swab Crash Truck – the most advanced piece of equipment in Loudoun County at the time.