Rescue Inc. In The News

National Volunteer Week

This is “National Volunteer Week” and Rescue Inc. wishes to recognize all of its providers who serve the organization in a volunteer capacity. Our volunteers are extremely committed to serving their community and the time that they must spend training and filling shifts is proof of that commitment.

On occasion, the skills gained by serving with Rescue are utilized in the larger world. Mr. Evan James Deutsch found himself the only medical professional on an airline flight recently. Mr. Deutsch, an EMT Intermediate and a volunteer at Rescue was able to use his training and his experience to care for a patient on the flight thus preventing a difficult situation from getting worse. Skills gained by volunteering at Rescue can be of value in a large number of unexpected circumstances and in the most unexpected places.

The following excerpt from the Rescue Annual Report was written by Billy Straus who served as a volunteer for many years and has recently become a paid provider.

If you would like more information about becoming a volunteer please call Rescue Quarters at 257-7679.

Rescue Inc. takes pride in a long history of volunteer EMTs working alongside full time, paid providers. Volunteers are required to meet identical clinical proficiency standards as paid providers and are certified by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians and the Vermont Department of Health. In addition, each volunteer EMT has successfully completed Rescue’s rigorous internal clinical clearance process before providing patient care in the field.

Rescue’s volunteer EMTs comprise about one third of the squad and include EMT-Basics and EMT-Intermediates. Last year, each volunteer contributed approximately $5,000 of worth of labor to the organization by committing to at least three 12 hour shifts a month in addition to required training hours. Volunteers hail from nearly all of the 14 towns Rescue serves. Many patients express to the agency an increased level of comfort and gratitude knowing that Rescue personnel responding to a call likely includes a neighbor or friend.

Reflecting on her work at Rescue, Heidi Fischer, a Dummerston resident and longtime volunteer EMT, says, “The satisfaction that comes with providing needed care to a patient, regardless of the time of day or night, is the reason I love volunteering at Rescue.”

Our volunteers comprise a very diverse group that includes teachers, nurses, business owners, musicians, ministers, and builders. Since most volunteer EMTs at Rescue are scheduled for nighttime shifts, many are taking precious time away from their families to serve. On busy nights, volunteer providers may contend with less than the ideal amount of sleep before returning to their daily routine. Nonetheless, Lew Teich, a Rescue volunteer EMT since 1974 explains, “I love what I do at Rescue, both as an EMT and a member of our Technical Rescue squad. I get to use a completely different set of skills from my daytime job as a builder. And it’s a fantastic group of people that provides a very meaningful service to the community 24/7.”

Last year, Rescue’s volunteer corps grew to include several new members who have recently completed their clinical clearances and are now doing duties in the field. Looking ahead to the new year, the agency is hopeful that 2009/2010 will see more local residents seeking out the opportunity to experience the pride and satisfaction that come with being a Rescue Inc. volunteer EMT.