It all started with one man's idea of serving the community, growing by bits, then  leaps, to a county-wide emergency transport service. Montrose Minute Men were officially organized at a meeting on November 17, 1955, when seven men congregated at Lewis' Ford Garage in Montrose. They saw a need for an organization that could answer emergency medical calls and provide ambulance services.

     Founder Robert Wood became President, Paul Wood was Secretary/Treasurer. Homer Shimer, Herb Guard, Dolan Patrick, Thomas Lewis, and Arthur Bowen were directors. A bit later Warren Wood, Don Wood , Walker Squires, Ed Hobart, and Kenneth Catlin jumped in too, all in the name of service.   The name Minutemen was inspired by an emergency service in New Jersey- The Morristown Minutemen.

     The group started out with a 1950 Panel Truck, and in 1956 a 1952 Chrysler joined the fleet, followed by their first new ambulance purchased for $7,200. By 1957, the service had 4,000 subscribers and the Minutemen knew how suddenly accidents can happen, creating unexpected bills.   A farmworker was transported by the Minutemen, ended up with a bill for $40. Bob Wood placed a box in the ambulance garage, and whenever he could, the patient deposited nickels, dimes, and quarters until his bill was paid.

     In 1959, an ambulance was purchased from Wilson Memorial Hospital.  Later an ambulance was donated by Mrs. Ralph Kudart. For many years, all calls were handled through the Wood home. And this is where Bob's wife Alice comes in. She manned the phones, scheduled transport appointments and kept books. Alice is still a force behind the Minutemen, and has faithfully gathered all the news accounts of the organization's achievements through the years.

     Civic groups came through, also. The Kiwanis and Lions provided the funds for the first"Jaws of Life". The GFWC-Montrose Jr. Women's club raised money for equipment. 

     In 1992, Montrose Minute Men Inc. began Advanced Life Support service in cooperation with Barnes Kasson, and later with the help of Donahue/Rural Metro. The Minutemen began their own ALS service in 1999 and continues strong to present day.

     In 1998, local groups helped purchase two AED's.  The Minute Men began offering van services and special transportation in 1998.  In August 2005, Montrose Minutemen received The Pennsylvania Rural Ambulance Service of the Year Award.    

The Montrose Minute Men Inc. now have 8 full-time EMT's and Paramedic's with remaining staff on per diem. They also have over 15 volunteers that serve the company.