| Rumor has it….
There are no volunteers running out of the Aquia Harbour Volunteer Rescue Squad (AHVRS) Building at 1001 Washington Dr.
FALSE. The volunteers at AHVRS have been volunteering their time for the past 37 years and continue to do so. Sometimes the crews are a mix of volunteers and career staff. New EMT trainees(volunteer and career) run with both Volunteer and career preceptors.
Rumor has it …. that the new station is only for the career firefighters/EMTs.
False, again. The new building will again house both career and volunteer staff. The squad leadership has been working with the County on the new plans and the offices, training areas, and storage for the volunteers are a part of those plans. The current station only has 2 sleeping rooms with bunk beds. The new station will have 16 individual bunk rooms. No more sleeping in the recliners for lack of a bunk. The new station will not open until 2028, until then the emergency calls are still being answered from the current station.
The community safety education and training classes are and have been conducted by our Volunteers. CPR/AED, First Aid and Babysitting classes have always been taught by the Volunteers. In July 7 CPR classes were taught.
For over 20 years the squad sponsored a children’s first aid and safety awareness class called “Save you Heart for Love.” The Bicycle safety and helmet fittings at National Night Out is done by the volunteers. If you are interested in training, please see our web site for more information. if you would like to become a volunteer with us, see “How to Join” on the web site.
It takes time to become and be released as an Attendant in Charge (AIC) EMT. The EMT class requires a minimum of 120-150 hours. Then completion of a proficiency/ Task book that can take up to 6 months, depending on call volume and dedication.
Congratulations to our new Paramedic Thomas Sammel who just passed the National Registry test. This course has been a 10 month endeavor.
Our volunteers are dedicated. Dedicated to delivering outstanding emergency care and safety education to the community. Donating a minimum for 24hours a month. This is not for the faint-hearted. It’s not just signing up for the one-time, once a year committee. This job (and yes, it is a job, though unpaid) can be the most rewarding endeavor of your life. You may ask why we do it. Every member could give you a different answer. Serving the community is a very individualized and personal answer. At a minimum Volunteers serve because they CARE for the community.
AHVRS is not an amenity of Aquia Harbour POA. We survive on your donations and a limited budget from the County. That is why we are grateful to all who donated to our annual fund drive. |
