lifeline sep oct 2013

VIRGINIA

LIFELINE

2 0 1 3 S E P T EMBER / O CTOBE R

P a g e 2 O f f i c i a l P u b l i c a t i o n o f t h e V A V R S

V I R G I N I A L I F E L I N E 2 0 1 3 S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R

A Helping Hand…...For Our Fellow Man

O f f i c i a l P u b l i c a t i o n o f t h e V A V R S P a g e 3

2 0 1 3 S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R V I R G I N I A L I F E L I N E

The officers of Vinton

First Aid Crew are not

only active members of

the crew, but they also

keep the crew running

smoothly.

Also, each year at the

installation dinner two

awards are given out,

these are the most

outstanding member and

the best all-around

member. This year the most

outstanding member award

went to Tom Philpott, and

there was a tie for best all-

around member, so the award

went to Wayne Guffey and

Aaron Albertson. These awards

are a great honor to receive.

However, this year's

installation had an extra special

award that was given out.

Submitted by Anna Vaughan. Reporter Vinton First Aid Crew

Vinton First Aid Crew has

served the Town of Vinton and

surrounding Roanoke County

area for nearly seventy-five

years; the current crew has

over forty active members. On

June 28lh the Vinton First Aid

Crew held their annual

Installation dinner, where

officers were installed and

awards were given out.

The 2013-2014 officers were

installed by the Town of

Vinton's Mayor, Bradley Grose.

On a yearly basis officers are

chosen by their fellow crew

members. This year's officers

are as follows:

- Chief: Tom Philpott

- Asst. Chief: Wayne Guffey

- Captain: Aaron Albertson

- 1st Lt.: Greg Meinel

- 2nd Lt.: Jacob Watkins

- Sergeant: Jason Peters

- Chaplain: Tom Philpott

- Reporter: Anna Vaughan

- Secretary: Teresa Rogers

- President: Mitch Vaughan

- Vice Pres.: Jason Peters

- Treasurer: Sydney Myers

Receiving this award is a huge

honor, and it comes in the form

of a clock. This award has only

been given out twice before,

and it is based on forty years

of active service with the

Vinton First Aid Crew.

This year the award is given to

Mitch Vaughan. This award has

previously been given to Doug

Adams and Tom Philpott. Not

many organizations can say that

they have had multiple

members who have actively

been serving for this long.

The Vinton First Aid Crew is

looking forward to another

great year. This next year will

lead up to the seventy-fifth

anniversary of the crew. As the

crew motto states, we are—

"A Helping Hand………

……… For Our Fellow Man."

Doug Adams, Mitch Vaughan, and Tom

Philpott—the three members who have

actively served for forty years

2013-2014 Officers

From (left to right): Anna

Vaughan, Teresa Rogers.

Mitch Vaughan. and Sydney

Myers

Back (left to right): Tom

Philpott, Greg Meinel, Jacob

Watkins, and Jason Peters

Not Pictured: Wayne Guffey,

Aaron Albertson

AVAVRS Officers

President - Fern Puckett

Vice President - Sharon Campbell

Secretary - Dolores Hudson

Treasurer - Kitty Campbell

Chaplain - Clara Craig

Historian - Heather S. Fox

Parliamentarian - Harry Householder

Immediate Past President - Joan Smoot

Midwestern VP - Sheila Gordon

Northeastern VP - Eddie Ann Orndoff

Southcentral VP - Patsy Wingfield

Southeastern VP - Fay Browning

Southwestern VP - Valarie Becker

Western VP - Debbie Rohr

For a complete list of the current

courses being offered by the VAVRS go to

www.vavrs.com

President Cora Fearnow

Vice President Emily Snyder

Secretary/Treasurer Aryn Onnen

Chaplain Dakota Looney

Historian Shannon Cain

District 3 V. P. Cora Fearnow

District 7 V. P. Dakota Looney

District 9 V. P. Christina Stanley

Advisor, Chair Alfred Smith

Advisor Woody T. Connor

Advisor Brandon Baugus

Advisor Woody Connor

Advisor Micky Grodski

Advisor Kim Craig



VAJVRS Officers

VAVRS Officers

President Edward B. “ Bubby” Bish Jr.

Vice President Rickey Hodge

Secretary Connie Moore

Treasurer Steven Dove

Training Officer Scott Davis

Chaplain Darleen Ferguson

Historian Dreama Chandler

Editor Gary Dalton

Immediate Past President Steve Grayson

Legal Advisor S. Craig Lane

Medical Advisor James R. Dudley, MD, MBA

Parliamentarian J. C. Phillips

Lobbyist Ed Rhodes

Office Manager Frances Brooks

Training Coordinator Kathy Eubank

Administrative Secretary Shirley Bagby

District 1 V. P. Scott Masincup

District 2 V. P. Carolyn White

District 3 V. P. Kenny Frenier

District 4 V. P. Gary Dalton

District 5 V. P. James Fontaine

District 6 V. P. June Ann Wilkes

District 7 V. P. Thomas E. Harris “Ted”

District 8 V. P. Blake Byrd

District 9 V. P. Darrell Beavers

Acting District 10 V. P. George Langford

THE VIRGINIA

LIFELINE

ISSN 0279-6023

is the official bimonthly

publication of the Virginia

Association of Volunteer

Rescue Squads, Inc.

Editorial material should

be sent directly to the

VAVRS Editor at

P O Box 522

Woodstock, VA 22664

(H) 540-459-4849

(W) 540-536-2758

(FAX) 540-459-4925

(C) 540-481-0125

[email protected]

Requests for advertising

rates, material

specifications and

deadlines should be

directed to the Editor.

Nominating—R. Bruce Stratton

Membership—Rickey Hodge

Life Membership—Ronnie Slough

Bylaws—Bruce Edwards

Rescue Hall of Fame—Ford Wirt

Convention—Ford Wirt

Rescue College—Rickey Hodge

Rescue College—Wayne Myers

EMS Advisory Bd.—Dreama Chandler

EMS Advisory Bd.—Wayne Myers

Strategic Planning—Karen Wagner

Course Development—Doug Eberhardt

Grant—Elizabeth Papelino

Scholarship Fund—Carolyn Brand

EMS Memorial Service—Kevin Dillard

EMS Exchange—Jane LaVerne

Rec. & Ret.—Fran Phillips

Course Development—Doug Eberhardt

Facility Manager—Lin Matthews

Volunteer Management—J. C. Phillips

Legislative—Dreama Chandler

VAVRS Web Page—Gary Dalton

AVAVRS

Committee Chairs

Convention - Janis Slough

Convention Co-Chair - Vickie Arnold

Life Membership - Ruth Swicegood

Nominating - Carolyn Brand

Resolutions - Harry Householder

Emergency Care - Ailease Short

Membership - Sharon K. Campbell

Finance - Kitty Campbell

Roll Call - Jean Garrett

Roll Call Co-Chair - Valarie Becker

Rec. & Ret. - Marie Householder

Fund Raising - Linda Berkstresser

Articles may be submitted by any member of

the VAVRS, AVAVRS and VAJVRS. Feature

articles are encouraged. Photos and/or

Graphics are acceptable and can be returned if

requested. Contact the Editor if you need

assistance in writing an article at

[email protected]

Deadline for future issues as follows: October 10, 2013 for November/December Issue

December 10, 2013 for January/February Issue

Deadline for the Upcoming

Issues of the LIFELINE



VAVRS

Committee Chairs



The attendance at the Service

showed how much “Buster” was

loved. There is no question on

how much “Buster” will be

missed. Our prayers go out to

the family.

July 14, 2013, Holly Grove

Volunteer Rescue Squad

Celebrated their 30th

Anniversary. A quick beginning

history. Our first call was

June 7th 1983, which was the

day crew. The crew consisted

of an EMT, Earl Pauley and

Advanced First Aid members.

Our original EMT’s advanced to

Shock Trauma and most of the

Advanced First Aid advanced

to EMT’s. A few members

become Cardiac Techs. Our

Anniversary Celebration had a

good turn out and everyone had

a great time. We recognized

the Charter Squad Members

and Charter Auxiliary Members

who have been with us for 30

years and are still active.

Want to Recognize Special

Guests. Starting with Dottie

Reynolds who taught our first

EMT’s class, Ron and Ann

Taylor who taught us our first

Advanced First Aid class.

Next, were J.C. and Fran

Phillips, VAVRS. Heidi Hooker,

ODEMSA. Tommy Barlow,

Willie Harper, Willie Gentry,

Louisa County Supervisors.

Don’t want to overlook their

spouses that attended. Mill

Valley Barbeques catered the

meal and we couldn’t have

Submitted by Cindy Swann, District 3 Historian

The VAVRS lost and will be

missing some great squad

members again and some of

those that have been leaders

throughout the years. District

3 lost another one of those

members. O.E. “Buster”

Greene, 78, passed away on

June 21, 2013. “Buster”

retired as a Chesterfield

County Police Lieutenant in

1992. He was a Life Member

of Manchester Volunteer

Rescue Squad, a Past President

and he served as Treasurer for

the squad for many years.

“Buster” was very active in the

VAVRS serving as President,

Vice President, Secretary,

District 3 Vice President and in

later years as Sergeant-at-

Arms at the Annual VAVRS

Convention. “Buster” was also a

VAVRS Life Member and had

been inducted into the Virginia

Life Saving and Rescue Hall of

Fame. “Buster will be missed,

but is now in a better place.

asked for a better meal.

Members did do the dess9erts.

August 3rd attended District 3

meeting held at Ashcake VRS.

Brad Dugai, Ashcake’s

President welcomed everyone.

Kenny Frenier District 3 Vice

President welcomed, our

guests, Connie Moore, VAVRS

Secretary who we were pleased

to see. Steve Dove, VAVRS,

Treasurer and Ed Rhodes,

Lobbyist, who do attend some

of our meeting. It was great to

see Shirley Bagby,

Administrative Secretary, who

we haven’t seen at a meeting

for some time. Can’t forget

Edward “Bubby” Bish, Jr.,

VAVRS President, who is also

with District 3. We were

unable to hold competition

again, not even EVOC, not

enough people signed up. I

know I have said it many times.

Squads please get together and

work out some way that we can

get back to having some

competition at our District

meetings. It was good to see

everyone. Our next Meeting

will be November 2nd. at

Colonial Heights F & EMS at

7pm. Come and join us. We

want to thank Ashcake for a

great meal and their

hospitality.

Last but definitely not least. I

want to thank J. C. Phillips for

the report he sent me on

“Buster’s” history, in order for

me to put it in my report.

District Three Report



“Yearly I ask someone from the AVAVRS to write an article for The Lifeline. The author of this article is AVAVRS President Fern Puckett. Thanks, Fern! “ Fran Phillips, VAVRS Recruitment& Retention Chair Submitted by Fern Puckett, AVAVRS President Recruiting new members is an

ongoing process for any

organization. It's a continuous

opportunity to reach out to the

community seeking individuals

who are interested in

volunteering a few hours a

week. Many Squads and

Auxiliaries have a Recruiting

Officer while others choose to

implement a plan to achieve the

best results for their agency

and community.

What does your Bylaws say

about accepting new members?

Is your membership open to

the public? If so, start by

letting your community know

who you are and what you

represent. This can often be

accomplished by circulating a

brochure on your organization

throughout the community. One

of the most important means of

recruiting new members

is by word of mouth. Other

an essential part of any agency.

Although many Auxiliary

members do not run emergency

calls, they are an important

part in the daily activities of

the Squad.

Having an Auxiliary is often the

answer to a Senior Squad

member's prayer when they

find

themselves with health

problems and are no longer able

to answer calls - they join the

Auxiliary and stay involved.

It is crucial to let your entire

membership know that they are

appreciated for their time and

effort, given throughout the

year, making your organization

grow and be successful.

ways may include, advertising in

the local paper, radio, setting

up a table at a local fair, etc.

Let the prospective member

know that they are important,

needed and would be a great

asset to your agency. Many

Squads and Auxiliaries have a

program implemented that

rewards their members on a

point system. Members earn

points by attending meetings,

training sessions, or events

that are scheduled throughout

the year. These points may be

used to attend Rescue College,

Conference, or other events.

Offer training and rewards for

membership involvement. An

Auxiliary or Support Group is

SUCCESS = Local Rescue Squads'

and Auxiliaries' working together

to enhance their community!!



the same. I believe this is

what we need to keep in mind

foremost. We have to reflect

on what the various squads and

departments do across the

state every day and also how

their auxiliaries support

them. I have been proud to be

a part of this fine organization

for thirty seven years. So, I

encourage you to come to

Virginia Beach this year and

join in the fellowship that we

enjoy, along with training

opportunities and gaining new

knowledge through the

excellent seminars officered.

New this year, The Junior

Association is having a raffle

and AVAVRS continues with

their raffle and of course, the

50-50 with the drawing on

Saturday evening. Support

these causes and help us all to,

in turn, continue to support The

VAVRS.

Submitted by Janis H. Slough, AVAVRS Conference Chair

Another year has rolled around

and it's CONFERENCE time

again. I hope that many of you

are planning to attend this

year. It is always an

opportunity to see our state

friends, to share what we have

done over the past year,

compete, and attend seminars.

The Conference Committee

met in Virginia Beach on August

9th and 10th making final plans

for this years' conference.

The VAVRS Annual Conference

has changed over the years and

even though we do a lot of

things differently for economic

reasons, our purpose remains

From the AVAVRS Conference Chair

O f f i c i a l P u b l i c a t i o n o f t h e V A V R S P a g e 1 0


AVAVRS Fund Raising Chair want to also thank each of the

volunteers that helped with the

selling raffle and 50/50 tickets

at the conference all week.

Thank you from the bottom of

my heart.

The AVAVRS and myself as

Fund Raising Chair would like to

thank, Chesterfield Insurers

for their sponsorship on

tickets and support to us for

the past four (4) years.

Thank you to our Life

Membership and members for

teaching us the many ropes in

following in your footsteps.

Without you each and everyone

just where would we be.

I am looking forward to the

Virginia Beach Conference this

year. Hope you all have a

wonderful time and a safe trip

home.

Submitted by Linda Berkstresser, AVAVRS Fund Raising Chair Thank you Fern Puckett for

asking me to serve along beside

you as your Fund Raising

Committee Chair. I have

enjoyed the opportunity to

work again as Chair of this

committee.

I did attend the Spring

Officers Workshop and Rescue

College and visited a few

Auxiliaries at their meetings

this year. I learn more and

more every time I go (Good

things).

I would like to thank you each

and every auxiliary for selling

the Raffle Ticket Fundraiser

for the AVAVRS. You sold

every ticket the last three

years. Keep up the good work.

Looking forward to 2013

conference doing the same. I

Please, if you have any spare

time to help sell the raffle

ticket and 50/50 let me know.

We need your help to make this

a success.

Thank you to all our volunteer

rescue squads, JR’s, auxiliaries

and associates across the

state. Without you, many would

not make it.

Thank you for all your support.

As I look forward to another

year with the AVAVRS, I will

not be staying on AVAVRS

Fund Raising Chair. My plans

are running for the office of

AVAVRS Historian for 2013-

2014. Looking for your vote in

September at the Conference.

I will be here to help in anyway

I can. So lets keep up the

great work.

Linda Berkstresser

To: AVAVRS District Vice Presidents

From: Fund Raising Chair

Please don't forget to get me your tickets and money before September 1st so that we have all tickets at the Conference by that Tuesday. We definitely need to sell all these tickets. Call your presidents, meet them or collect at your next meeting. Please make sure that when mailing these tickets that you insure them to protect yourself.

P a g e 1 1 O f f i c i a l P u b l i c a t i o n o f t h e V A V R S


2013. Several Officers from the

Lexington Fire and Rescue

Department attended installation

and were presented with a check

for $1700.00 at this banquet.

Three members of the Lexington

Auxiliary are either elected or

appointed officers of the

AVAVRS. Heather Fox-Historian

Janis Slough–Conference Chair

Linda Berkstresser–Fundraising Chair

These three members attend the

Spring Officer’s Workshop held in

Lynchburg.

At Conference attend all functions

held by the VAVRS and AVAVRS

including all meetings, Saturday

morning memorial service. Life

Membership breakfast, Officer’s

Luncheon, President’s party,

Saturday evening Awards and

Memorial Service and Officer’s

installation. Meeting on Sunday

morning for new officers. We also

helped by contributing gifts for

our meeting and for the

Presidents Party. Our members

helped out in selling the raffle

tickets and 50/50 tickets.

We also have three members

serving on the District level also

either elected or appointed. Lana Nicely - Chaplain

Janis Slough – Secretary/Treasurer

Linda Berkstresser – Parliamentarian

Submitted by Linda Berkstresser, President

ALFRD Auxiliary Officers for this

year are as follows: Linda Berkstresser – President

Janis Slough - Treasurer

Jane Rogers – Vice President

Shorty Berkstresser – Chaplain

Lana Nicely – Secretary

Heather Fox – Historian

I would like to thank the

Lexington Auxiliary for their hard

work. Working to serve dinners

every Tuesday night and clean up.

Then having to go to work the

next day. Not an easy task. I am

proud of this auxiliary. We may be

small in number but you get the

job done.

The Lexington Auxiliary hosted

the first Western District

Meeting on November 04, 2012, it

was as enjoyed by all. We

attended all the Western District

Meeting for the year and paid

District and State dues.

ALFRD’s officers were installed on

February 23, 2013 at the

installation Banquet held at the

Lexington Country Club and Golf

Course. Joan Smoot was the

installed us for the year 2013 and

gave us little Serenity Angels to

hang in our cars to go along with

the AVAVRS Theme for 2012-

Lexington (ALFRD) Auxiliary

Our auxiliary continues to serve

the Kiwanis Club their weekly meal

for their meeting. They tell us

meals are great. They said this

was to be temporary solution to

where they meet but the meals

are so great they don’t want to go

anywhere else. We love feeding

them.

We also continue to quarterly

provide the local Realtor’s

Association their breakfast for

their meetings and continuing

education classes.

We feed the duty crews for the

Lexington Fire and Rescue

Department. Our Chaplain

continues to send out card to the

sick and those that have

bereavements and to the ones

that just need a kind word.

Linda Berkstresser attended

Rescue College and took a

Parliamentarian and Auxiliary

Workshop classes.

The auxiliary continues to serve

the community in anyway needed

along with the department

Thank you to this auxiliary for all

the support you have given to me

as president of this auxiliary. It is

a pleasure working with each of

you. I look forward to working

with you all another year.

I wish you all a safe trip to and

from the VAVRS, AVAVRS &

VAJVRS Conference. I look

forward to seeing everyone at the

Virginia Beach Conference this

year.



New ER Doc at Riverside Credits Colonial Beach Junior VRS for Career Path

the week and in the summer

while earning a number of

certifications such as First

Responder, EMT and Cardiac

Tech.

After graduating from the

University of Virginia, she

worked for AmeriCorp and then

pursued a master’s in sports

medicine and completed her

paramedic degree. Her D.O.

medical degree, Doctor of

Osteopathy, was earned at the

Edward Via Virginia College of

Osteopathic Medicine in

Blacksburg, Va.

“I like the principles of

osteopathy, which looks at the

entire patient—mind, body and

spirit—to determine the best

treatment needed,” she

commented.

Dodd continued to run calls for

Colonial Beach Volunteer Rescue

Squad and also for Oak Grove

Submitted by Sara Hunt, Public Relations Coordinator

Colonial Beach, Va. (July 29,

2013) – Riverside

Tappahannock Hospital can

thank the Colonial Beach

Junior Volunteer Rescue Squad

for the hospital’s newest

addition to the ER staff: Dr.

Lisa Dodd.

As a young girl, she had

dreamed of being a

pediatrician, but everything

changed when she began

running emergency calls at age

15 as a member of the Colonial

Beach Junior Volunteer Rescue

Squad. The experience was an

introduction to the medical

field that altered the course

of her life.

“I realized that I enjoy helping

people during a crisis when

they need help the most,” said

Dr. Dodd, who ran calls during

Volunteer Fire

Department,

even as she was

working on her

medical degree and doing a

residency at the Medical College

of Virginia. “Fortunately, I don’t

require a lot of sleep,” she

laughed, noting that most 12-

hour shifts actually end up being

13-15 hours. “But I love it and

wouldn’t want to do anything

else.”

She believes that it’s important

for emergency personnel to

understand that small

kindnesses to the patients and

the family members are just as

important as the dramatic life-

saving moments. “Being sick is

the worst of times for

everyone,” she said. “The little

things like listening and being

respectful of family requests

make such a big difference.”

“We’re very proud that our

Juniors program impacted her in

such a positive manner,” said

Wesley Melson, Rescue Chief of

CBVRS, who had known Dodd

since high school and was in the

Juniors program with her. “She

will be a wonderful ER doctor!”

O f f i c i a l P u b l i c a t i o n P a g e 1 5


The 60 Second

Parliamentarian Tip

temporarily and turn over the

meeting to the Vice President.

If a Captain or Chief of an

organization is conducting the

meeting, then they could turn

over the meeting to the next

Operations Officer in the chain

of command.

Now, that you have turned over

the meeting to the next

officer in line, you are just like

any other member of the group

and may join in the discussion

and vote when it is time

to vote on the motion. During

this process, you may stand

next to the podium and be

involved with this process.

After the vote is taken on the

motion and the temporary

presiding officer states the

results of the motion, you

What does a President do when

a very important and

controversial issue comes up at

a meeting and he or she wants

to get involved with the

discussion? A motion has been

made that involves this

important and controversial

issue. You, as the President,

are supposed to remain neutral

while conducting the meeting.

As President, you have

some important information

that you feel needs to be

presented and you want to join

in the discussion phase of the

motion that is on the floor.

What do you do?

There is a way that the

President may get involved with

this issue. You, as President,

may give up the chair

should immediately state that

you will now take back chairing

the meeting.

A President should not make a

habit of giving up the Chair in

order to express his or her

opinion, but the process is

there, if needed. Remember, a

President’s duty is to conduct

all meetings in a fair and just

way and not show partiality, if

possible.

2013-2014 AVAVRS

Slate of Officers - - - - -

President—Sharon Campbell

Cave Spring Auxiliary—South Central

Vice President—Harry Householder

Loudoun Auxiliary—Northeastern

Treasurer—Patsy Wingfield

Cave Spring Auxiliary—South Central

Historian—Linda Berkstresser

Lexington Auxiliary—Western

Chaplain—Ailease Short

Brunswick Auxiliary—Southeastern

Chaplain—Jean Garrett

Bristol Crewettes—Southwestern

From the

AVAVRS

Nominating

Committee Chair

Carolyn Brand:

The following is

the slate of

officers for the

AVAVRS for

2013-2014:

2013-2014 VAVRS

Slate of Officers - - - - -

President—Rickey Hodge

Blacksburg—District 7

Vice President—Connie Moore

Kenbridge—District 5

Vice President—Steve Dove

Chancellor—District 10

Secretary—Scott Davis

Giles County—District 7

Treasurer—Steve Grayson

Madison County—District 10

Training Officer—Cecil Leach

Churchville—District 1

Chaplain—Darleen Ferguson

Brunswick—District 2

From the

VAVRS

Nominating

Committee Chair

Bruce Stratton:

The following is

the slate of

officers for the

VAVRS for

2013-2014:



2013 VAVRS CONFERENCE

Pre-Conference Programs *MUST PREREGISTER TO ATTEND*

METHODS OF INSTRUCTION 8 hour course

Sun Sept 22 and Mon Sept 23, 2013 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day

INFECTION DISEASE CONTROL BASIC 4 hour course

Mon Sept 23, 2013 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

INFECTION DISEASE CONTROL OFFICER 8 hour course

Tue Sept 24, 2013 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

TACTICAL MEDIC CLASS 16 hour course

Tue Sept 24, 2013 and Wed Sept 25, 2013 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day

PUBLIC SAFETY RESPONSE TO TERRORISM 8 hour course offered at three different times

Mon Sept 23, 2013 Tue Sept 24, 2013 Wed Sept 25, 2013

8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Also…...

“SO YOU THINK YOU ARE CRAZY” Special seminar being offered at the Virginia Beach Convention Center

at the conclusion of seminars Tue Sept 24, 2013

4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Pre-registration is required via the website @ www.vavrs.com

$25 registration fee will be required.

Problems registering Call the VAVRS Office 800 833 0602

Registration deadline for these programs Tuesday September 10, 2013.

Virginia Beach Resort and Conference Center

2800 Shore Drive, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23451

757 481 9000 or 1 800 468 2722

For a listing of all of the events and seminars being held in conjunction with the 2013 VAVRS Conference visit the

VAVRS Website and download the entire brochure.

www.vavrs.com

2013 VAVRS Conference Seminars



2013 VAVRS CONFERENCE

Pre-Conference Programs *MUST PREREGISTER TO ATTEND*

GRANT WRITING 8 hour course

Wed Sept 25, 2013 Or

Thu Sept 26, 2013 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

(sign up for whichever day works best for you!)

Also…...

“THE LOW DOWN ON THE HIGH SIDE; SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR

MOTORCYCLE CRASHES” Special seminar being offered at the Virginia Beach Convention Center

at the conclusion of seminars Thu Sept 26, 2013

4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Also…...

VIRGINIA ITLS INSTRUCTOR COURSE Fri Sept 27, 2013

Virginia Beach Resort and Conference Center To Register—Mail Application to

Virginia ACEP/ITLS P O Box 911

Norge, VA 23127



Submitted by Fern Puckett, AVAVRS President

On July 7, 2013, the Washington County Life Saving Crew

was honored to host a reception Celebrating the Life of

Claude A. Graybeal. In attendance were Delegate Joe

Johnson and Senator Bill Carrico, who together presented a

resolution passed by the General Assembly to Claude

Graybeal's family. The resolution, called Celebrating the Life

of Claude A. Graybeal recognized Mr. Graybeal's life of

dedication to emergency medical services and honored him as

a true "Virginia Gentleman".

Claude A. Graybeal passed away March 3, 2013.



HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 5036

Celebrating the life of Claude A. Graybeal. Agreed to by the House of Delegates, April 3, 2013

Agreed to by the Senate, April 3, 2013

WHEREAS, Claude A. Graybeal, who faithfully served his fellow

residents for 43 years as a member of the Washington County Life

Saving Crew in Abingdon, died on March 3, 2013; and

WHEREAS, in July 1969, Claude Graybeal joined the Washington County

Life Saving Crew, serving as captain from 1981 to 1986 and in every line

officer position; he also served as a member of the board of directors and was awarded life membership; and

WHEREAS, Claude Graybeal maintained his certification as an Emergency Medical Technician and as an EVOC Instructor and

was involved with designing manuals, bylaws, and logos for vehicles for the squad; and

WHEREAS, Claude Graybeal served District 9 of the Virginia Association of Volunteer Rescue Squads as vice president and a

member of the executive committee for 10 years; he also served as a district secretary and training officer and was a life

member; and

WHEREAS, for 37 years, Claude Graybeal served as the Washington County Life Saving Crew board of governors

representative to the Virginia Association of Volunteer Rescue Squads, Inc.; and

WHEREAS, Claude Graybeal always made every effort to attend the annual conferences of the Virginia Association of

Volunteer Rescue Squads, Inc., whether they were in Roanoke, Richmond, or Virginia Beach; in September 2011, he was

awarded the prestigious status of life member of the organization; and

WHEREAS, Claude Graybeal faithfully served the Commonwealth when he was appointed by Governor Charles S. Robb to the

Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council; and

WHEREAS, Claude Graybeal was always ready to lend a hand to members of the community, the life saving crew family, and

his family—if he was asked if a task had been done, he would only smile, knowing that it had been; and

WHEREAS, Claude Graybeal's dedication to emergency medical services and to the members of the Washington County Life

Saving Crew that he mentored never faltered; he was instrumental in the promotion and growth of the organization in the

community; and

WHEREAS, Claude Graybeal retired from Spcrry-Univac after 23 years and also was a truck driver for Abingdon Steel for

18 years; and

WHEREAS, a true Virginia gentleman who touched the lives of numerous individuals through the volunteer life saving crew,

Claude Graybeal will be greatly missed by his wife of 49 years, Pal; his children, Lisa and James; grandson, Jacob; numerous

other family members and friends; and the residents of Abingdon; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness

the loss of a distinguished member of the Abingdon community, Claude A. Graybeal; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the

family of Claude A. Graybeal as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for his memory.



Greetings from Blacksburg and the

conclusion of the 38th Rescue College Association provide many

services to us. Chief John

O`Shea and Blacksburg Rescue

Squad provided ice for our

many classes away from the Inn

for the entire 9 days. They also

provided a 15 passenger van for

the Explorer groups that

attended Rescue College.

Wythe County Rescue provided

the second 15 passenger van

for the group as well. This was

done at no charge. Blacksburg

and Christiansburg Rescue

provided vehicles for the EVOC

Instructor and Trailer classes.

Chief Keith Bolte and the

Blacksburg Fire Department

allowed us once again to use

their training grounds for

Vehicle, Bus and Advanced

Vertical classes. Floyd

Childress in Christiansburg for

allowed us on his working farm

for the Farm Machinery and

the Advanced Class as well.

Last but certainly not least is

the staff at Lane Stadium.

Lester Karlin, Tom Gabbard

and their staff open up the

stadium to our Basic and Light

classes and it is such a joy to

have the relationship with

these folks as well. Now, on

behalf of Wayne Myers and

myself, we want to thank the

many instructors that came to

Rescue College this year and

gave the Association their time

off from work but also their

Submitted by Rickey Hodge—VAVRS Vice President and Rescue College Co-Chair

This year we had around 320

students from across Virginia

came to Blacksburg and the Inn

at Virginia Tech to attend the

many classes we had to offer.

Rescue College began on Friday

Night, June 7 and concluded on

the following Sunday June 16.

It takes a lot of preparation,

coordination and a lot of

dedicated instructors,

committee members and our

many behind the scene workers

to make this happen. I will

start with our committee

members that meet each year

on the final day of Rescue

College and go thru the many

evaluations that the students

fill out and we address ALL

concerns that they have had.

We go over all the classes we

plan to offer the next year and

begin work on the brochure.

We meet again usually in

February and go over classes

and begin assignments and the

logistics. It is our desire to

have the Rescue College

brochure ready and available at

the Conference in September

so that you can start to make

your plans to attend the 39th.

We have many behind the

scene folks that help us each

year and at no cost to the

expertise in teaching their

classes. I honestly feel we have

an awesome Rescue College for

our members and the contacts

the students as well as the

instructors make each year is

just second to none. We

enjoyed a cookout on Friday

night with over 200 in

attendance. Next year the

39th Rescue College will be

held once again in Blacksburg

and it is our wish that you will

come back or for many of you

come for the first time. I

promise you it will be a positive

experience for you and your

squad with the training. We are

offering new classes next year

and one in particular is

Advanced Vehicle Extrication.

We are asking the Board of

Governors for permission to

have up to two pilot classes for

this new class and we will

return next year at the

Conference to present the

program for approval. Again

thank you for allowing us to

bring what we feel is a

tremendous training

opportunity. Hope to see each

of you at the 79th Conference.



2013

Rescue

Explorers/

Camp for

Youth

Photos submitted

by Gail Rice



grocery store, and sold every

cookie, pie and cake one could

imagine. I recall an Easter bake

sale where we dyed 125 dozen

hard boiled eggs, made 20

coconut Easter bunny cakes in

one night and raised enough

cash to update the kitchen

cabinets, to include new ovens

Submitted by Karen D. Wagner, member of WVRS

Tradition…. let’s define it…a

long established custom or

belief that has been passed on

from one generation to

another. Volunteer rescue

squads are built on traditions,

nothing new to those of you

reading this article. At the

Woodstock Volunteer Rescue

Squad we are pretty proud of

being in business coming up 50

years and one thing we know

that continues to help push us

to that pinnacle is Tradition. I

would like to share with you one

of my own squads’ traditions,

one that has lived on despite all

the other challenges we have

faced as a “family in service to

our community”.

WVRS started providing

emergency services in the 60’s,

that’s 1960’s for you “Y”

generation folks. Our squad,

like most other rescue squads,

not only covered the duty

shifts, we had to raise the

funds, all the funds, to

purchase our ambulances, first

aid and rescue equipment, fuel,

uniforms, electricity, and

insurance for the agency.

Donations were the ultimate

jackpot. We started with an

annual door-to-door fund drive;

next we tried the mail out

letter drive, and then the

phone fund drive. All were

successful and all helped to

provide the funding needed to

keep the squad running for the

next emergency call. When we

needed a piece of equipment,

we had public suppers and even

Sunday breakfasts...the wives

and moms of the membership

came in, cooked a huge meal

and we opened the doors taking

free-will donations and fed the

community. When we needed

extra funds for something at

the building, we had a bake

sale. Again, wives, moms and

the membership baked goods,

set up a table outside the local

Tradition...it’s a sweet thing at

Woodstock Volunteer Rescue Squad

Making apple butter has been a main fund raiser

for Woodstock Rescue Squad for over forty years.

Barbara Simon adds sugar to the boiling apple butter.



and stove tops. There were

cars washes, chicken

barbecues, open houses, apple

butter boils, blood pressure

clinics and the list goes on and

on and on. Soon, the demands

of covering the calls, meeting

the requirements of training,

attending meetings, and “real

life” jobs and family took a toll

on the time membership had to

give and less and less folks

showed up to help with fund

raisers.

Now don’t think this is a sad

tale of days gone by, indeed it

is not. Instead it is a story of

how our agency realized that if

we were going to be good at

making money we needed to

pick one thing and do the best

we could to assure we made the

most of it. So we went with…

TRADITION…..Making

homemade APPLE BUTTER.

Our founders used huge copper

pots and long handled

homemade wooden paddles,

wood and lots of “elbow grease”

to make the best apple butter

you ever put in your mouth, and

still in 2013, we are making

Apple Butter as sweet as the

rich TRADITION our agency

was built on. Our agency sits in

the heart of Virginia’s apple

country. We need the

community to make profit…we

still get our fruit

from our local

orchards and

processing plants,

sugar is donated

by the local

businesses, spices

from our town

drug store and

jars from

hardware and

dollar store. The

“secret recipe”….

you know we

could tell

you but then we would have to

kill you…. Yes it is still the same

traditional recipe we used when

we started making it in the

70’s. Some things have

changed, like apple snits have

been replaced by applesauce

and automatic stirrers have

replaced “twice around the

sides and once down the

middle”, but it is still the

gathering of the members,

starting the fires, filling the

pots with fruit, adding the

sugar at the exact right

moment, measuring, tasting,

and filling the quart and pint

jars with perfect golden apple

butter that brings the

community support to us.

So just how profitable is it….

over the years we have cleared

enough funds to have

purchased two ambulances, all

the equipment needed to put

them in service and pay our

electric bill for 5 years.

However, as important as the

money raised, we continue a

squad tradition when we make

apple butter together as a

family. What’s your squad’s

tradition…find it and keep it

alive for generations to come.

The pot yields around 240 quarts from each boil.

The Legislative Attic

been told that the presentation

by Delegate Joe Johnson and

Senator Bill Carrico was

exceptional. I am sorry that I

missed the event and I am sure

that Washington County Life

Saving Crew certainly

understands. Claude was a

District VP the same time that

I held the office in District 3

and we mentored each other

and became close friends.

I was able to attend the 75th

Anniversary celebration of

Staunton-Augusta Rescue

Squad, also in July, and had the

opportunity to renew some old

acquaintances from years gone

by. A wonderful event with a

good turnout and we really

enjoyed ourselves. Thanks to

the squad for the invitation.

I have sent out over the past

month information concerning

the delay in the signature

aspect of the pharmacy code

and regulations, the waiver for

recertification and now the

delay in the background checks.

The Board of Pharmacy

regulations have been

developed and are being worked

through the system, and the

waiver regulation is also being

worked on. Background checks

delay is due to not having the

proper equipment delivered to

OEMS.

The public safety stakeholders

are working now to develop a

Fire / EMS / Emergency

Management Caucus within the

Submitted by Ed Rhodes

As I begin to write this article,

it is mid-July and this needs to

be in the hands of the Editor

by mid-August. As many of you

are aware, my wife and I

became grandparents for the

fourth time earlier in July. A

grandson, Gavin Rhys, weighing

7-6, was born on the 7th and

becomes the newest member of

the “Legislative Attic” family. I

really do not think that the

chair will hold all of them at

once, so may have to change

pictures for each issue -

equality among the

grandchildren.

I had been invited to attend

the presentation of a General

Assembly Memorial Resolution

in honor of Claude Graybeal,

also on the 7th. We were

unable to attend due to

grandbaby watch, but I have



General Assembly. We have

met with certain legislators

who we feel will be very

capable to co-chair this caucus.

By doing this we feel that our

message will be heard by

legislators and make our voice

stronger when it comes to our

issues. We tried to choose the

leadership from different

areas of the state so that all

can be heard. This is something

new, so we are gingerly moving

forward.

The overall legislative agenda in

2014 for the EMS and fire

community will be the same as

2013. Line of Duty Act and

return of interest for VDFP

and OEMS budgets. These

items will be discussed in more

detail over the coming months

and especially at the Fire

Council Legislative Summit in

mid December.

Of course, this is not to say

that these are the only items

VAVRS will have in legislative

proposals. I am sure that (i)

something will come from the

officers and/or membership,

and (ii) there will always be

legislation that we will have to

amend or oppose in some form

(Continued on page 29)

The “Real” Attic



or fashion. Remember, if you

have an idea for a law; please

get with a member (s) of the

legislative committee to

discuss it before you take it

to a legislator. This way we can

help you write and prepare it.

Two important points I make

to people is (i) what you think

is good for your area also

needs to be good statewide,

and (ii) the best bill in the

world probably will not come

out the way it went in. The

2014 session is the "long"

session and there will be a

number of new faces in the

legislature, along with new

committee chairs and new

committee members, many of

whom have not heard the

VAVRS history. This will be up

to you, should you have a new

delegate, to visit and talk to

(Continued from page 28)

them about VAVRS.

As I commented to the

Executive Board in my report, if

you know of or have heard of

any legislative proposals, please

let the Legislative Committee

know. This way the committee

can discuss and recommend to

the Executive Board how to

proceed. We certainly

appreciate your assistance in

this.

I look forward to seeing you in

September at the 2013

Conference and hearing your

concerns. Remember, this is an

election year for the Executive

Branch and House of

Delegates, so make sure that

you do vote in November.

As always, should you have

questions, please feel free to

contact me or members of the

Legislative Committee.

The Manchester Vol. Rescue Squad has for sale two Stryker MX

Pro Model 6082 stretchers for sale due to our routine equipment

replacement schedule. Both stretchers have the X frame guards,

IV pole, flat head end storage mat and single wheel lock.

Asking prices are:

2003 Model = $1,500.00

2004 Model = $1,800.00

Both units have had yearly Preventive Maintenance performed

and are in good condition. All documentation and inspection

reports are available at the time of sale.

Photos are available upon request.

If interested please contact Chris Snyder, Chief of Operations

at [email protected] or via phone at 804-690-2287

Training Announcement

Emergency Medical Technician Class

Date: October 6, 2013 – March 6, 2014

Times: 0900-1800

Days: Sunday

Location: Southside Virginia Emergency Crew

425 Graham Rd.

Petersburg VA 23805

Note: For those affiliated with SVEC, the EMT class will fall under

“tuition reimbursement.” You will pay for the class and all materials

necessary. After successfully completing the class and precepting you

will receive reimbursement. To sign up please call 804-861-2739 or

email [email protected]. Leave your email and phone number. The

lead instructor will contact you with course details and application.

mailto:[email protected]



District One Call of the Quarter Stuarts Draft Rescue Squad

on scene and there was heavy

front end damage to one

vehicle. When pulling up past

the scene to block the road, we

noticed many bystanders and

citizens who stopped to help.

There were so many people I

couldn’t accurately tell how

many patients there were at

this time. I grabbed a jump bag

while my partner took command.

We were the first on scene. It

was no more than about 3

minutes later when we realized

we had a mass casualty incident

here. Even though there were

only 2 vehicles involved, there

were a total of 10 patients.

There were 6 occupants in one

vehicle and 4 in the other.

There was a squad member who

showed up by personal vehicle

who was quickly assessing a

couple of the patients in the

vehicle that was rear-ended.

One was a child in a car seat

who quickly got attention.

Thankfully, the toddler was

okay and had no signs of injury.

I managed to make a lap around

the entire scene asking who

patients were and triaging each

victim in approximately 4-5

minutes. After I finished that

Submitted by Amy Markham, District One Secretary

Stuarts Draft Rescue Squad

June 22,2013

On an average Saturday in

June, we were sitting around

the squad. The on call crew had

just responded to a routine

medical call. Left at the

building, was myself and

another squad member to make

a second crew. Soon after the

first call was dispatched, we

were dispatched for a motor

vehicle crash with multiple calls

reported on the incident. The

call was reported as a 2 vehicle

rear-end collision and further

incident details informed us

that there were people pulling

patients from the cars. We

responded with an ETA of

about 3-4 minutes. We arrived

lap of triage, I found that

about 3-4 patients needed to

be fully packaged. In the

meantime, my partner was

asking me a dozen questions a

minute and once the fire

department arrived, the

questions tripled. “Do you need

additional transport units?”

“Who is highest priority?”

“What do you need me to do?”

Yes, we needed more transport

units. Another ambulance

responded from our station and

the first call crew responded

from the hospital. We came to

the conclusion that 3 still was

not enough. So the next 2

closest rescue squads were

dispatched and we received 2

more additional units. We used

every single one of them.

During all of this excitement,

one individual approached me

and introduced himself as a

medic from Wintergreen and

asked what he could do to help.

I told him this patient right

beside me was complaining of

head and neck pain and needed

to be packaged. He said he

could take care of that. I

handed him a backboard and a c

-collar bag and he went to it.

District One Call of the Quarter Stuarts Draft Rescue Squad



Another provider from

Waynesboro also ended up

witnessing the incident and

stopped to help too. This was a

big help. The highest priority

patient ended up being a young

male patient who was the only

one in the vehicle upon arrival.

Upon triaging, I found he had

the most severe pain and

mechanism of injury. The

patient was sitting in the

second row of the SUV but was

originally located in the 3rd

row. He was not wearing a

seatbelt and was thrown to the

front of the vehicle and then

came backward to the second

row. Patient had minor

lacerations and abrasions but

complained of severe neck,

back, and abdominal pain.

Patient was in a sitting position

and his neck was immediately

stabilized with manual c-spine.

A KED was placed on him and

he was carefully removed from

the vehicle onto a backboard.

This patient was placed in my

unit along with a relative of his

with minor musculoskeletal

injuries to an extremity.

Overall, there were no priority

1 patients. Everyone ended up

being priority 2 or 3, or green

and yellow. All patients were

transported in a timely fashion.

It took 5 transport units, the

fire department, on scene

bystanders, other providers in

POVs, and a massive amount of

teamwork to safely and quickly

execute this MCI. Even though

it may have been a rear-end

collision, don’t think for one

second that you will just be

obtaining patient refusals. The

patient that was removed from

the vehicle who I designated as

highest priority was later

transported to UVA via ground

transport to treat

possible spinal cord

injuries. That KED and

backboard that you

spend extra time

applying may very well be

that patient’s life saver.

One thing is for sure,

this call is the definition

of teamwork from start to

finish. Before fire/EMS

arrived, bystanders worked

together to help patients in

trouble. Upon arrival, my

partner and I took control and

worked together and realized

quickly what we had on our

hands. Patients were triaged

and the need for additional

resources was established.

Mutual aid arrived and

everyone was safely

transported and transferred to

definitive care.

By: Logan Parker, EMT-E

Trauma 61

Logan Parker

Josh Bean

Rescue 65

Jamie Henderson

Jeff Henderson

Rescue 69

Joe Arbaugh

Doug Broce

Mutual aid ambulance units:

Rescue 11

Rescue 25

Company 7.

Travis Pruitt / 1st Lieutenant

276.226.0409 or

[email protected]

Facebook Event Page -

www.facebook.com/

rdvrscasinonight

We are also soliciting sponsors

for the event. I have attached

an event invitation and also a

sponsorship informational

letter to this email.

If you have anymore questions

or concerns please let me know.

We would appreciate any

advertising that we could get on Submitted by Travis L. Pruitt, 1st Lt Ridgeway District VRS

Ridgeway Rescue will be

presenting the 1st Annual

Casino Night & Silent Auction

Fundraising Event. It will be

held on Saturday, November

16th, 2013 at The Galley in

Martinsville, Virginia.

It will be a night filled with

Casino Games & DJ, a Silent

Auction, Food & Cash Bar.

We invite all the VAVRS

members, families, and friends

to participate in this fun annual

event!

Tickets are $40.00 in advance

and $50.00 at the door. We

only have 250 tickets available

for the event. They are

currently on sale and going

fast.

Contact information for the

event is as follows:



this event, all the proceeds for

the event will be going into our

building fund. As you may or

may not know we have some

crippling mold/water damage in

our basement and prices to fix

the problem are already

exceeding $100,000.00.

Ridgeway Rescue—1st Annual Casino Night & Silent

Auction Fundraising Event—November 16, 2013


https://mail.vavrs.com/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.facebook.com/rdvrscasinonight

https://mail.vavrs.com/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.facebook.com/rdvrscasinonight

EMS Event

Notification

Tool—E.V.E.N.T



Copied from the EMS News section of the Virginia Office of EMS Website

Within EMS, very little data

exists about many aspects of

the profession. In an effort to

address this shortfall, NAEMT,

in collaboration with the Center

for Leadership, Innovation and

Research in EMS, has

developed an anonymous system

for EMS practitioners to

report EMS and patient safety

near-miss events, line of duty

deaths, and incidents of

violence against EMS

practitioner by answering a

series of questions in an online

format.

The purpose of the system is

to collect and aggregate data

that will then be analyzed and

used in the development of

EMS policies and procedures,

and for use in training,

educating and preventing

similar events from occurring in

the future. No individual

responses are shared or

transmitted to other parties.

This reporting system is called

the EMS Voluntary Event

Notification Tool (E.V.E.N.T.)

and is available at

www.emseventreport.org.

The aggregated data collected

will be provided to state EMS

offices and the appropriate

federal agencies with

jurisdiction over EMS on a

quarterly and annual basis.

Timely aggregated reports

submitted through a variety of

venues will make E.V.E.N.T. a

living mechanism for change. It

is envisioned that one of the

primary end users of this data

will be those responsible for

the development of EMS

policies at the state and

federal levels. States urged to support system

Support of this online

reporting tool by EMS

organizations across our nation

will be key to its success. State

EMS offices, local and state

EMS organizations, and EMS

agencies are encouraged to

become site partners for

E.V.E.N.T. The National

Association of State EMS

Officials, as well as many other

national and state EMS

organizations, have already

signed on as site partners.

Upon request, NAEMT and the

Center for Leadership,

Innovation and Research in

EMS are able to provide

representatives to speak about

the system at local and national

EMS meetings or conferences.

Please contact NAEMT at

[email protected] with any

questions about the system.

News from the

Virginia Office of EMS

2014 EMS SYMPOSIUM

Registration is now open

Deadline is 10/4/13 at 5pm

For a registration form visit

the VAOEMS Website.

Notice-There is a delay in the

Elimination of requirement

to obtain medical

practitioner signature on

Prehospital patient care

report

Implementation of FBI

Background Checks

Implementation of changes

to the recertification

process for EMS providers

in Virginia.

A full explanation of all of the

delays is available on the

Virginia Office of EMS website http://www.vdh.state.va.us/oems

The OEMS apologizes for any

inconvenience the delay in the

implementation of the changes

may cause. The OEMS will

provide regular updates to the

EMS community through their

website and social media

outlets.

In the interim, if you have

questions, please contact your

area EMS Program Rep. or

Michael Berg, Regulation and

Compliance Manager, VA Office

of EMS at 1-800-523-6019,

804-888-9131, or by email at

[email protected]

http://www.emseventreport.org




Photo Caption Contest Well, we didn’t get any submissions so we solicited

some help from the Rescue Ranger, here goes…

“To our fellow squad members, look what we did, we

bought an ambulance with a “one track” mind?”

“I’ve been working on the railroad, all the live

long day, we at least for one afternoon!”

“This is the sturdiest mobile home I have ever

seen, I believe it will withstand any wind storm.”

“Pull this caboose over here, I know the rest of the

train went this way, I can see it’s tracks!”

In each of the 2013 issues VIRGINIA LIFELINE we have been having a photo

caption contest. This is our latest submission and we are soliciting your humorous

captions to this photo of an attendee at the VAVRS Rescue College and VAVRS

Life Member and Vehicle Extrication Course Coordinator Cecil Leach.

All entries will be (after censoring) printed.



Dear Rescue Ranger

cranky on occasion. How about

you?

Busy in Rustburg

Dear Tommy,

Sometimes I wake up grumpy;

other times I let her sleep.

Dear Rescue Ranger,

You are so successful in

everything that you do. What

is your secret? Hard work,

intelligence, dedication?

Busy in Boyce

Dear Tommy,

There are two rules for success

in life: Rule 1: Don’t tell people

everything you know.

Dear Rescue Ranger,

I am a little worried. The EMT

book emphasizes safety, safety,

safety! I must admit I can’t

keep that on my mind. I just

love taking risks. Should I

worry?

Busy in Tannersville

Dear Tommy,

You should never knock on

Death’s door. Instead, ring the

bell and run. Death hates that…

Dear Rescue Ranger,

I am having real trouble with

the trauma portion of my EMT

course. We are studying

wounds, you know; avulsions,

bite wounds, lacerations,

puncture wounds and incisions.

Can’t keep all that straight.

You have an suggestions?

Busy in Brunswick

Dear Tommy,

Not really...well, one

suggestions is that you

remember in puncture wounds

it’s not the bullet that kills your

patient, it’s the hole.

Dear Rescue Ranger,

I know your entire life is EMS

but do you have any other special

interests?

Busy in Surry

Dear Tommy,

Yes, I do, thanks for asking. I

started Karate lessons just last

week and after only one lesson I

can break boards with my cast.

Dear Rescue Ranger,

Did you ever notice that people

look at you funny when all you

talk about the squad, EMS calls

and trauma?

Busy in West End

Dear Tommy

Yes, I also notice that people

look at you kind of funny when

you walk down the street naked

with a gun in your hand but that’s

another story.

Dear Rescue Ranger,

I love EMS. I love the squad. I

love everything about it but I

must admit that sometimes it

makes me very moody, even

Dear Rescue Ranger,

It was good to see you the

other day at Tyson’s Corner.

You wouldn’t think that as far

away as we live from each other

and as big as that place is we

would just bump into each

other. Small world isn’t it?

Busy in Bristol

Dear Tommy,

It is a small world, but I

wouldn’t want to paint it.

Dear Rescue Ranger,

Prior to your involvement in

EMS what did you do?

Busy in Blacksburg

Dear Tommy,

I used to be a lifeguard, but

some blue kid got me fired.

Dear Rescue Ranger,

Have you had any luck finding a

companion?

Busy in Colonial Heights

Dear Kenny,

I’ve been on so many blind

dates. I should get a free dog.

NO

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2

PO Box 279

2535 Turkey Creek Road

Oilville, VA 23129

ISSN 0279-6023

Phone: 804-749-8191

Phone: 800-833-0602

Fax: 804-749-8910

E-mail: [email protected]

"Greater Love Hath No Man

Than This, That A Man Lay

down His Life For His Friends."

- St. John 15:13

Virginia Association of Volunteer

Rescue Squads, Inc.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR ALL MEMBERS!

Your agency was recently forwarded two proposed budgets for 2014. The 1st

budget keeps the Class Registration Fees, because there have been concerns

by many squads the 2nd budget eliminates the Class Registration Fees, but

increases the dues from $5 per member to $10 per member.

Please keep in mind that the Finance Committee worked very hard and eliminated

as many expenses in the upcoming year without having to jeopardize the quality

services and training the VAVRS provides. To maintain a balanced budget a revenue source was needed

to offset those expenses. It should be noted that it was not a decision taken lightly to double the

dues, but this was required to balance the budget when doing away with the Class Registration

Fees. Looking back we found that dues had not been increased in over 20 years and that previous

requested increases were not favorable by the Association.

Each proposed budget covers the needed expenses and establishes a balanced

budget. It is important that each agency review the proposed revenue sources

(Class Registration Fee vs. Dues Increase) to determine which proposal is more

favorable for their agency.

The Executive Committee wants to give each squad ample time to review and

determine which budget would be most advantageous to them. Please direct any

questions or concerns to Steve Dove, VAVRS Treasurer @ [email protected]


lifeline sep oct 2013

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