Tremont Rescue 702 was established in 1977. Davis Mortuary was responsible for ambulance service prior to that date. When more schooling and new laws made it impossible for Davis Mortuary to continue the service, Tremont Rescue 702 was established as a non-profit corporation, a new ambulance was purchased and Rescue 702 started providing service for Tremont. Rescue 702 responded to about 130 calls during its first year of operation. The squad was originally dispatched through a 7 digit number that dispatchers in town answered. These dispatchers then set off the pagers.

The first class of EMTs graduated from ICC in early 1978. Members of the original squad were Randy Stuber, Becky Stuber, Chuck Gates, Arlene Gates, Bill Elliott, Nancy Elliott, Fred Craddick, Jan Craddick, Carol Crandall Webb, Linda Wilham Springer, John Luick, Edna McMakin, Carlene Venovich, Sharon Whisenand, Marvin Scott, Donald Davis, Jr., Jerry Newlun, George Giffhorn, Rob Eggena, Barb Preeveise, Wilma Kendall, Bonnie Witt, Bill Witt, Jerry Marshall, and Chuck Downs. Jeanne Newlun was the scheduler and the operators were Ethel Ruark and Bonnie Cooper.

By 1979, the squad included 29 EMTs, 1 LPN, 3 RNs, 4 trained in Civil Defense, 2 CORTs (certified operating room technicians), and 4 CPR instructors. Jan Boundy joined the squad in 1980 and became the squad’s trainer in 1981. Jan was active with the squad for many years, including as a Board member and President of the squad, until retiring from the squad in 2000. Anne Zuercher has been the squad’s trainer since 1998.

For many years, all EMTs, drivers, and schedulers donated their time to the squad. No one was paid. Due to the great difficulty of staffing the ambulance with all-volunteers, the Tremont 702 Rescue Squad (aka. Tremont Rescue) was formed, according to the Illinois State Statute Rescue Squad Districts Act. Petitions were circulated in April, 2015 and the Tenth Judicial Circuit Court of Illinois County of Tazewell authorized a referendum to be held. This referendum was passed with 72% affirmation on March 15, 2016. On December 31, 2016, the Rescue 702 non-profit corporation was dissolved.

On July 18, 2017, the Tremont Rescue Board of Directors authorized the officers to hire EMT-B and EMT-P, as well as pre-hospital RNs to fill staffing needs and fill any scheduling gaps to ensure coverage around the clock.