The year was 1950, three teenage boys were severely bleeding from injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident, waiting for an ambulance from Sayville (the nearest first aid squad) to arrive and attend to the injuries.  Never wanting this to happen again, an organization known as the Exchange Club of the Islips decided as a community project to raise funds for a volunteer community ambulance.  A year later, enough money was raised to start the Exchange Ambulance of the Islips.  

With 150 volunteer members, Exchange Ambulance of the Islips provides 24/7 Emergency Medical Service (EMS) coverage to 45,000 residents across approximately twenty square miles, including four fire districts, two school districts, Heckscher State Park, and portions of Connetquot State Park.  Exchange Ambulance also provides EMS assistance to the residents of Fire Island via the Suffolk County Police Department's Marine Bureau.

Exchange Ambulance responds to multiple types of calls which include but not limited to Medical Emergencies (e.g. Trouble Breathing, Chest Pain, Abdominal Pain, Diabetic, Unconscious), Traumatic Emergencies (e.g. Falls, Lacerations), Motor Vehicle Accidents, as well as rehab at Structure Fires or large scale incidents.