About PL Custom

About RESCUE 1

Vision Statement
Rescue 1 has remained a stable, reliable company over the years and has maintained our vision as an independently-owned, customer-focused designer and manufacturer of high quality custom emergency vehicles.
 
Rescue 1 was founded in 1985 by Martin (Bud) V. Smock, a true entrepreneur in the emergency vehicle manufacturing industry.
His forward thinking and passion led to many ambulance and rescue innovations over the years. Once launched, Rescue 1 quickly became a premier manufacturer of Heavy Rescue Apparatus. P.L. Custom Body and Equipment Co., Inc., the parent company of Rescue 1, has been manufacturing emergency vehicles since 1946.
Bud’s vision for the company was to offer high quality customized products, while establishing personalized relationships with each individual customer. With Bud’s passing in 2006, Jean Smock assumed the roll of CEO, maintaining the family-owned business.
Image
Image

Martin V. “Bud” Smock

Founder
Image

Jean S. Smock

OWNER & CEO
Rescue 1 was founded in 1985 by Martin (Bud) V. Smock, a true entrepreneur in the emergency vehicle manufacturing industry.
His forward thinking and passion led to many ambulance and rescue innovations over the years. Once launched, Rescue 1 quickly became a premier manufacturer of Heavy Rescue Apparatus. PL Custom Emergency Vehicles, the parent company of Rescue 1 has been manufacturing emergency vehicles since 1946.
Bud’s vision for the company was to offer high quality customized products, while establishing personalized relationships with each individual customer. With Bud’s passing in 2006, Jean Smock assumed the roll of CEO, maintaining the family-owned business.
Image

Deborah Smock Thomson

PRESIDENT
In 2015, Deborah Smock Thomson, Bud’s daughter, took over the reins as President of the company. Deborah has been with the company since 1978. Over the years she has developed a nearly unmatched knowledge of the industry and continues to lead the company with Bud’s vision of manufacturing high quality rescue vehicles while maintaining the relationship of trust and commitment with our customers.
Nancy Buhagiar joined PL Custom in 2007 and has been instrumental in many improvements to our finance department and manufacturing operations. Nancy now holds the position of Vice President of Operations and Finance.
Image

Nancy Buhagiar

VICE PRESIDENT
Image
Image