The Chilton County Rescue Squad will celebrate its 60th anniversary with an open house Saturday.

The Rescue Squad started in 1955 when then-sheriff Odell Payton approached local businessman Alvin Ellison about the need for such a group, Rescue Squad President Chris Johnson said.

Taylor and several of his peers founded the group, whose mission was to assist the sheriff’s office with searches for drowning victims and any other cases deemed necessary.

At the time, the sheriff’s office had no auxiliary, and drownings were almost common, as people took to the water in unsafe boats and did not wear lifejackets as a result of lax regulations, Johnson said.

The group’s first mission was on July 4, 1955, as the Rescue Squad helped search for a missing person in the Walnut Creek community.

Membership has fallen from well over 100 to about 35 as need for the squad’s services has decreased, but the Rescue Squad still stands ready to assist local emergency response agencies whenever needed.

“We’ve had members from all walks of life: state representatives, senators, superintendents,” said Johnson, who joined in the early 1970s. “It’s just everyday folks that want to help their fellow man in a time of need.”

The Rescue Squad is self-funded through fundraisers and donations, and does not receive tax money, Johnson said.

Johnson said the Rescue Squad can be activated by the sheriff, county Emergency Management Agency director or the mayor of a municipality in Chilton County.

The Rescue Squad has its own radio system and repeater system, and all members carry walkie-talkies. The group does not respond to medical calls or fires.

“We leave that to the firefighters,” Johnson said.

When a tornado struck Maplesville in January 2012, the Rescue Squad responded and provided lighting in downtown Maplesville for emergency crews.

The Rescue Squad has been in its current home, off Airport Road, since 2000. To get to the building for the open house, one would travel through the old fairgrounds, adjacent to the Chilton County Airport.

The open house will be held from 4-7 p.m. and include free hot dogs and drinks, live entertainment, a bouncy house and other activities for children, and even some games adults will enjoy.