Vintage Emergency Services Patch Lot (3) – Emergency Service Explorer + Fire Department Staff “1051” + American Red Cross

Description

Vintage/collector patch lot (3 pieces) featuring emergency services themes—perfect for patch collectors, EMS/fire memorabilia displays, and shadow boxes. You’ll receive the exact patches shown.

What’s Included (3 Patches)

1∙ Emergency Service “EXPLORER” patch (red felt) Likely era: 1970s–1990s 4x3 inches
Explorer programs have long been a youth career-exploration pathway connected to public service fields like EMS, fire, and law enforcement. Explorer insignia and specialty patches were commonly worn on uniforms or displayed as achievement/identity items.

2∙Fire Department “STAFF” / “1051” patch (large, shaped) Likely era: 1980s–early 2000s 5x5 inches
Features a cartoon firefighter character and the phrase “FIRST IN, LAST OUT”—a well-known fire service motto emphasizing the commitment of crews to arrive early and stay until the job is done.
“1051” appears on the helmet; many departments used numbers for station,

3∙American Red Cross round patch Likely era: 1960s 2 inches 
The American Red Cross has been a major U.S. humanitarian organization since the late 1800s, with the red cross emblem widely recognized for disaster relief and community aid. Great crossover piece for EMS/first aid collectors.
∙Type: Embroidered patches (mixed materials; red felt on the Explorer patch)

Condition 

Fire Department “Staff / First In, Last Out” (large patch)
∙Front: noticeable vintage wear with minor surface marks/soiling and light thread fuzz in places.
∙Edges: slight fraying/fuzzing along the border, consistent with age.
∙Back: white heat-seal/adhesive-style backing visible; shows typical storage/handling wear.
Overall: displays well; best described as good vintage condition with age wear.

Emergency Service “Explorer” (red felt patch)
∙Front: felt shows light wear and a bit of surface lint/soiling typical of older felt.
∙Edges: slight edge fuzz and softening from age.
∙Back: gauze/cheesecloth-style backing visible (vintage construction); shows normal wear.
Overall: good vintage condition with minor wear consistent with use/storage.

American Red Cross (small round)
∙Front: light wear and handling marks, with minor thread fuzz.
∙Edges: slight edge wear; stitching remains intact.
∙Back: looks cloth/gauze style with age-related wear.
Overall: good vintage condition; minor wear, still very presentable.

Disclaimer

All items are vintage and may show minor signs of age, wear, or use consistent with their history. Photos show the exact piece you’ll receive — please review them carefully, as they are part of the description. While I do my best to capture colors accurately, your monitor or device may display colors slightly differently from the actual item.  

Note: These pieces come from estate collections and have been surface cleaned. You may wish to perform additional cleaning depending on your preference.
We pack each order with care to ensure your purchase arrives safely. If you have any questions or would like more photos before buying, please feel free to ask.

About Reading Vintage
At Reading Vintage, I curate unique, well-loved books and vintage collectibles for collectors and curious minds alike.