August 2019

SQUAD SPOTLIGHT

Station 4 – Chesapeake Beach Volunteer Rescue Squad

When was your squad founded and do you have a brief history of your squad?   The Chesapeake Beach Volunteer Fire department was formed in 1938 by “Buddy” Griffith. The first truck was a 1 ton Chevrolet chassis with a skid mounted pump mounted on the rear. The truck would pull a trailer with a water tank. The State Corporation Commission issued their charter in 1942. Just after the department formed, the fire department moved out of the wooden garage and occupied an old gas station on Pleasure House Road owned by Cliff Marois. In the late forties, a two bay station was built on Lake Drive near the current Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel toll plaza is located. This building was adjacent to the building occupied by the Chesapeake Beach Men’s Club and the Chesapeake Beach Women’s Club. The second fire truck was a 1938 GMC Pumper with a 500 GPM Hale pump and a 900 gallon tank. This truck was to be the only pumper in the area with tandem axles. It was labeled the “turtle” because it was so slow. It ran as the attack pumper and could even move across the sandy beaches along the Chesapeake Bay. A 1954 GMC Pumper purchased by the Civil Defense Department and the first meeting of the Chesapeake Beach Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary was held on January 27, 1959. Seven ladies were present at that meeting and their purpose was to assist the firemen in any way possible, to co-sponsor fund raising with the department, and in general, for the betterment, improvement and service of the Fire Department. The Ladies Auxiliary came to be very involved with the community and numerous functions were conducted. In December of 1961, plans for a new fire station were drawn up. The present station was being moved because it was right in the path of the planned Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. The 140 million dollar bridge tunnel project spanned 23 miles across the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay and connected Virginia Beach with the Eastern Shore. Construction lasted many years and the members of the Chesapeake Beach Fire and Rescue responded to many calls for assistance on the bridge during construction. The new fire station broke ground in January of 1962, and the members themselves helped build the station during evenings and weekends with the assistance of contractors. The men removed the blocks from the old station and sold them to raise money for the new building. The Ladies Auxiliary would prepare meals for the firemen while they worked. It took eight months to build the three bay station. In July of 1968, two more bays were added to the existing station. In 1965 a new Mack Pumper was purchased by the Bayside Borough Fire Protection Association. In the fall of 1972, paid firefighters were assigned to Company 4. In 1986 a new 55 foot Grumman Telesquirt was delivered and today, three firefighters and a captain provide twenty four hour fire protection to the surrounding communities of Chesapeake Beach. CBVRS now operates out of a joint fire and EMS building at 2211 Greenwell Road after renting out our previous building to Commonwealth Brewery. A significant number of improvements were provided to our members when relocating to our new building. Members enjoy individual bunkrooms/space, dayroom, exercise room, and the ability to enjoy a great environment while volunteering their time. What area is your squad’s first due?               CBVRS is currently responsible for first due coverage from Taste Unlimited on Shore Drive to the Norfolk line on Shore Drive with coverage to the south encompassing all of Northampton Blvd to the Norfolk line. We also cover all neighborhoods off of Pleasure House Road and the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel.    Who is your longest serving squad member? Edward Leonard with over 33 years!!!    What event does your squad attend or host that you’re most proud of?               The events that we are most proud of include our advancing community outreach programs. This includes a heavy amount of involvement in our community beyond just being a rescue squad. We enjoy being one with the community we serve. It is extremely important to us in not only helping our neighbors on bad days, but good days as well. We host several fundraisers throughout the year to include Kroger days, t-shirt sales, wine night, paint night, Easter egg hunt, and pictures with Santa. These are great events to raise money for our all-volunteer organization, but also a great opportunity to connect personally with those we serve. What is a fun fact about your squad?                  CBVRS recently held a dinner during the Memorial Day weekend holiday for the homeless. This was an amazing opportunity for us to give back to the community that has given so much to us! It was a fun opportunity to provide a hot meal, socialize, and learn the stories of those we serve. This is an opportunity we look forward to doing again!   What color are your ambulances?               Chesapeake Beach Volunteer Rescue Squad’s ambulances are white with blue and yellow writing.  Do you have any ATV carts?               CBVRS currently operates a medical ATV cart known as Cart 4. It is equipped with basic life support supplies that we often use in beach patrols, stand-bys, and other specialty events throughout the city. Fun Fact: We also used Cart 4 as a courtesy to a couple who were getting married on the beach. They had members of their family who needed a little extra assistance to get on to the beach and we gladly stepped in to help. This is what our organization is all about!

Join the Effort to Prevent Another Child from Dying in a Hot Car     On July 31, recognize National Heatstroke Prevention Day by educating your community about the dangers of leaving children in hot cars   Responding to a call for a child who dies of heatstroke in a hot car is one of those events that EMS and other public safety professionals never forget, and those who haven't experienced it hope they never do. Since 1998, more thank 800 children have died from heatstroke in hot cars in the U.S., including 52 in 2018. On average, one child dies from heatstroke inside a vehicle nearly every 10 days in the U.S. Most cases occur when a child is mistakenly left inside or gets into a vehicle unattended – and then becomes trapped. It doesn't take an especially hot day for a child to die from heatstroke. When the outside temperature is as low as 60 degrees, the temperature inside a vehicle can reach all the way up to 110 degrees. If a child's body temperature reaches 107 degrees, that child will die from heatstroke. The Office of EMS encourages the EMS community to join NHTSA's efforts to educate parents, caregivers and the public by sharing campaign materials available on https://www.nhtsa.gov/heatstroke  and remembering to #checkforbaby on and off the clock.

To promote further social awareness and amplify the conversation about this vitally important safety issue, NHTSA will host a "Tweet-Up" on National Heatstroke Prevention Day. Every 15 minutes, beginning at 7 a.m. ET on July 31, NHTSA officials will post stats, prevention tips and heatstroke awareness messages using the hashtags #heatstrokekills and #checkforbaby on all the agency's social media channels. Share these messages with your colleagues and community members to make sure they know the dangers of heatstroke. This year, NHTSA is also asking everyone to participate in the Heatstroke Awareness Challenge. Create a 15- to 30-second video about thedangers of heatstroke – then share your video on Twitter ,  Facebook  and  Instagram  using the hashtags #checkforbaby or #heatstrokekills and tag @NHTSAgov.   More information including downloadable campaign materials and fact sheets are available  online . For questions about the campaign, please contact Mike Joyce at Mike.Joyce@dot.gov  or 202-366-5600.

JOB OPPORTUNITY

PROGRAM & FUNDING MANAGER Note: This position is an Emergency Medical Services Transport (EMST) grant funded position. Organizational Summary: Incorporated in 1922, the Montgomery County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association (MCVFRA) is an advocacy, non-profit organization representing the 19 local fire and rescue departments (LFRD) throughout Montgomery County, Maryland. Montgomery County Fire Rescue Service is a combination service. Position Summary: The successful candidate will be hands-on and participative high-level manager and a strategic thought-partner under the supervision of the President and the MCVFRA Board. Primary functions include: preparation, administration, advisement, oversight and management of the State of Maryland Amoss funding, and County Emergency Medical Services Transportation (EMST) funds for the Association and the 19 LFRDs. This includes creating, monitoring, maintaining, and submitting all financial records, applications, books, payments, and audits of the Amoss and EMST funds. Additionally, the incumbent prepares all reports, records, and procedures, and reviews and makes recommendations for all financial functions of the Amoss and EMST funds. The position also manages Notice and Opportunity (N&O) review, responses, and records for the MCVFRA, program management, policy development and reports, as well as other duties assigned by the MCVFRA President and Board of Directors.  CLICK FOR DETAILS

PICK UP YOUR #VBSTRONG bracelet at EMS Headquarters! THANK YOU Beach Municipal Federal Credit Union for donating #VBSTRONG bracelets!

Between the dates of June 21, 2019 and July 22, 2019 the following individuals have advanced to the current EMT Certification Level:

Life Popiela, Dennis   Senior Volzke, Deborah   AEMT Montgomery, Aaron   EMT-B Baldomero, Ronald Joseph Basiley, Memory Beethoven, Noah Bellows, Lauren Bivans, Luke Cox, Dana Ellenberger, Ross Freeman, Tiffany Garcia, David Gilmore, Marianela Gutierrez, Tyler Hoffman, Dustin Roberson, Wilhemina Rose, Jonathan Strickland, James Thompson, Thomas Tomlin, Czaria Walker, Samantha Webb, Dustin  BLS Intern Allen, Michaela Arenas, Andrei Booker, Joel Bush, Chloe Hall, Jasmine Harkins, John Lavin, Helena Mikovits, John Robinson, Joseph Sanchez, Gabriella Sanchez, Jasmine Wilhelm, Kevin Williams, Desmond Zotti, Caroline   Student Adams, Andrew Baughman, Boyd Bud Butler, Nicole Craig, Shelley Despain, Amanda Dickens, Zachary Gagley, George

COMMUNITY APPRECIATION Testimonials and letters from grateful neighbors

The morning of February 16th I woke up to what I thought was my first sign of labor. I was 39 weeks pregnant and I was excited to finally have my baby. However, things progressed very rapidly. Immediately after getting out of bed, the first contraction came, then the second with no break in between. I knew at that point there was no way I could make it to the hospital. My husband called 911 and shortly thereafter three volunteers from the Plaza Volunteer Rescue Squad arrived. They got me into the ambulance as quickly as possible, which was good because they ended up delivering our baby in the ambulance. The umbilical cord was wrapped around our baby’s neck and it was the knowledge and quick actions of those providers that saved my son. They delivered my healthy 7 lb. 10 oz. son. Although this birthing experience did not go as expected, I am forever grateful to the volunteer EMS members who delivered my son into this world. -D. Brumsey

One Sunday evening I had a vein burst in my leg and was unable to stop the bleeding. After calling 911, unit 826R responded. The two EMTs, Ryan Drucker and April Greissinger, came in and treated me with kindness, professionalism, and respect as though I had been a longtime friend. I felt very comfortable and at ease even after I had lost a large amount of blood. I was very nervous and my blood pressure was up a good amount they sure helped to calm me down. They transported me to the hospital and remained with me to make sure I was being taken care of (the ER was very busy). These two young people are an asset to the VBEMS program and deserve to be commended for the way they carry out their duties. I only hope each and every one in your program is as caring and professional as they are. Please extend a very warm THANK YOU to both of them. Thanks to them, again. – W. P. Poston

QUICK LINK TO YOUR WEEKLY UPDATES Your VBEMS Updates can be accessed at any time by visiting HERE

HAPPY AUGUST BIRTHDAY! We want to recognize your birthday! Please send your full name and birth date to RescueLines@vbrescuecouncil.org

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! vbrescuecouncil.org/submission

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.

$100 Gift Card WINNER! Janet Dolan ------------------ 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, Phone number: (757) 437-4830 or email address:   mmclean@vbrescuefoundation.org 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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