WE ARE A CITY OF HEROES.
The Virginia Beach Rescue Squad Foundation offers its deepest condolences to those affected by Friday’s tragedy at the Municipal Center. Our Foundation’s mission is “To support an independent and vital Virginia Beach volunteer rescue system.” We stand resolute in supporting Virginia Beach’s volunteer rescue squads, which are all a beacon of pride for our amazing city. And it is just as apparent as ever, that all involved in assisting others during this emergency last Friday – the
VBPD
,
VBEMS
, and
VBFD
, as well as the citizens inside Building 2, are truly the pride of Virginia Beach and exemplify what it means to serve your community. Virginia Beach will be defined by how we, as a people, answered the calls for help.
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I originally said I would never run a full marathon even purchasing a magnetic sticker that stated, "half-marathon is half the distance and twice the fun." Several years after retiring from the Navy a friend started talking to me about running a marathon. I said I would only run Boston and the Marine Corps Marathon (MCM). Boston, because that is where my husbands family is from and MCM because my parents live close and my father, brother and I were in the Navy (sister service to the Marines). Little did I know at the time that you had to qualify for Boston! So, I joined J&A Training Team and changed my entry from the Shamrock Half to the Shamrock Full marathon in 2018 and set my goal to qualify for Boston. Thanks to some great running partners and lots of encouragement I did qualify for Boston and was privileged to have a time and be invited to the race (even though you qualify, you must do so with a time better than the qualifying time in order to actually get in).
Boston Marathon is as epic an event as it claims to be. The atmosphere is energized and everywhere you look are people from around the world excited to be in Boston in April. Getting my bib on Saturday for Monday's race made the entire event 'real'. Sunday was a relaxing day with church and the blessing of the athletes in true Irish style with a bagpiper and drums. Saturday and Sunday had perfect weather. Monday morning greeted us with rain, thunderstorms and lightning. However, they had forecast a break in the weather long enough for the marathon to occur. Indeed a break did happen and I was dry at the start of the race. The downside was it was in the high 60's (very hot and humid). So, although I carried my nutrition/liquid I ended up having to get water at most water stops to throw on me to keep me cool. Luckily, the rain came back in towards the end of my race and my last 6 miles actually picked up in pace. Turning onto Boylston Street and seeing the finish line was so very exciting, plus it was about the only flat portion of the race. With hands up in the air I crossed the finish line and was shocked how quickly hypothermia kicks in when you are just walking in the now cold, windy and rainy venue. The aluminum blankets are great, but not enough and we had to stop so I could put clothes on over my wet running clothes to make it back to our brownstone. Although my time was not impressive, running a historical route was indeed epic! I encourage everyone to set goals and get up and move.
You don't have to run 26.2 miles, but doing some cardio and strength training
will help you avoid being the one who calls 911.
Kathy Donovan is a member of Kempsville VRS, Station 9 and has been a volunteer for 4.5 years.
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Dear fellow EMS members,
I would like to say THANK YOU to everyone who worked to make the “Something in the Water” festival a huge success. This event brought with it a national spotlight on our great city. Organizers and City leaders alike were impressed with the array of medical teams deployed on foot, bikes, carts and ambulances. From the command post to the event teams in front of the stage, you provided a professional level of service that was second to none. You also provided seamless integration of volunteer and career personnel alongside partners from Police, Fire, Sheriff and numerous other allied agencies. I’m especially proud to note that thanks to your commitment, we were able to answer all calls for service without the need for mutual aid EMS response.
Below are some important statistics from the weekend that highlight our efforts:
- 204 different members staffed the event, many for multiple shifts
- Total event staffing per day
- 125 Members Friday
- 189 Members Saturday
- 132 Members Sunday
- Over 400 patient encounters
- An average of 52 members/shift stood the watch answering calls elsewhere in the City
The festival weekend was demanding on our organization. Without your time, dedication, patience and flexibility, this event would not have been so successful. Everyone stepped up, worked hard and showed the community why we continue to be unique from any other EMS system in the country. I hope you are as proud of your part in the weekend’s achievements as I am proud to be part of such a great team. Again, thank you!
Sincerely,
Chief B
Ed Brazle, Chief
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On behalf of the Virginia Beach Rescue Squad Foundation, Board President Clarence J. “Skip” Smith, III presents Catherine “Kitty” Schaum the 2019 Virginia Gilpin Distinguished Service Award.
Catherine
“Kitty” Schaum
was honored for 13 years of tireless dedication.
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Awarded in partnership by VBVRS and VBRSF
The ten student recipients of the
2019 Langhorne & Pulley Memorial Scholarship
have been announced. This memorial scholarship was created in 2008 and is co-funded by the
Virginia Beach Volunteer Rescue Squad
and the
Virginia Beach Rescue Squad Foundation
.
2019 Langhorne & Pulley Memorial $1,000 Scholarship Awardees:
·
Courtney Barbero, Student at EVMS
·
Maya Begovic, Student at Old Dominion University (Sponsored by Tija Begovic)
·
Roy Latham, Student at Arizona State University (Sponsored by Serenity Latham)
·
Rebecca Long, Student at Longwood University (Sponsored by Jim Long)
·
Heather Richardson, Student at EVMS
·
Andrew Rosenblum, Student at Johns Hopkins University
·
Anne Svejda, Student at EVMS
·
Austin Tydings, Student at James Madison University (Sponsored by Roy Tydings)
·
Cole Tydings, Student at James Madison University (Sponsored by Roy Tydings)
·
Larry R. Utter, Senior at Landstown High School (Sponsored by Larry J. Utter)
The Virginia Beach Volunteer Rescue Squad and the Virginia Beach Rescue Squad Foundation are partners dedicated to maintaining a vibrant volunteer rescue squad system in the City of Virginia Beach. In order to continue to provide the highest quality of care, free of charge to patients, the organizations are committed to recognizing, retaining, and applauding the invaluable service that their dedicated volunteers provide to the community. The organizations recognize and honor the sacrifices that volunteers and their families make in order for the Volunteer Rescue Squads of Virginia Beach to operate at the highest possible level. The Langhorne & Pulley Scholarship Fund is a joint partnership designed to assist eligible volunteers and their immediate family members to continue their college education.
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Between the dates of April 23, 2019 and May 28, 2019
the following individuals have advanced
to the current EMT Certification Level:
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Life
Svejda, Anne
EMT-B
Bonner, Michaela
Carr, Rusty
Clark, Donald
Dailey, Alia
Dalrymple, April
Gantt, Bryn
Hicks, Tanner
Jones, Jason
Kerns, Roger
Langless, Lindsey
O'Neill, Michael
Peelish, Krystal
Potter, John
Wooten, Charles
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BLS Intern
Bournigal, Alessandra
Carter, Donovan
Equels, Andrew
Hatab, Faten
Jones, Bryce
Kilmer, Justin
Kim, Olivia
Kinert, Hannah
Koel, Shannon
Matthew, Culkin
Miciano, Christopher
Morris, Hailey
Nguyen, Alexis
Pember, Nicolette
Reconsal-Brown, Christion
Spruill, Bryan
Strickland, James
Thie, Cody
Thompson, Thomas
Walker, Samantha
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COMMUNITY APPRECIATION
Testimonials and letters from grateful neighbors
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Dear Colleagues,
It saddens me to announce the passing of Fr. Jim Parke. Jim dedicated his life to public service – many of those years right here in the City of Virginia Beach as a volunteer and community activist.
In addition to volunteering as the Director for the Office of Volunteer Resources, Jim was the former Chair and current member of the Human Rights Commission, was a Tutor-Mentor with Economic Development’s VB Reads program, led a group of Rotarians each quarter with the Adopt-a-Program in Parks and Recreation, participated annually in the Point-in-Time Count with Housing and Neighborhood Preservation and always showed up for the city’s United Way Day of Caring. Jim accumulated more than 2,600 hours in just the past five years volunteering with the City of Virginia Beach and we are forever grateful for his service. Please keep him in your prayers.
Sincerely,
Dave
Dave Hansen
City Manager
City of Virginia Beach
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QUICK LINK TO YOUR WEEKLY UPDATES
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Your VBEMS Updates can be accessed at any time by visiting
HERE
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HAPPY MAY BIRTHDAY!
We want to recognize your birthday!
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We would LOVE your newsletter contributions!
Do you have events to share on our future calendar?
Have an idea for a story? Questions? Compliments?
Other input?
Contact us!
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Rescue Lines
is sent directly to your email on a monthly basis.
On a quarterly basis, stories from
Rescue Lines
will be included in a downloadable PDF version which can be printed and shared or sent digitally to donors, family and friends. Printed copies of the quarterly version can be requested free of charge from EMS; contact VBEMS at
RescueLines@vbrescuecouncil.org
for guidelines, requests and further details.
Every month,
Rescue Lines
features a special offer or giveaway for rescue personnel, so be certain to open it.
We hope you will read, enjoy and contribute to your newsletter.
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$100 Gift Card WINNER!
DAVID JOHNSON
------------------
Just for being a part of this group you will be automatically
entered into a drawing each month!
Be sure to check every newsletter for all the news you need to
know and to see if you are the lucky WINNER!
If you are the winner, contact
Mary-Ellen McLean, Program Officer, VBRSF,
to collect your prize!
Members are eligible to win each month, but can only be a prize winner once per year.
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