After receiving the necessary permissions we arrived at our appropriate time (7:30 AM).  We were introduced around to those on duty that day and given a tour of all the different ambulances and equipment required for any type of emergency.

It was really incredible the amount of equipment that is needed for them to be prepared for all situations and the knowledge required to use the equipment.  What was even more incredible was that the volunteer squads are just that – strictly volunteer! 

More on the volunteer stuff later, let's get back to our time with the squad. Since there was more than one of us, we took turns for the ride along.  Joe went with them on the first one, where a women who wasn't feeling so well requested a “ transport" to the Hospital. She had been ill and felt that the hospital was the place she needed to be.  The EMT’s were all business, doing their job with ease and complete confidence, from the time the call came in until the patient was released into the hands of an emergency room nurse.

This day they were able to return to the station where we continued learning about the different types of training required.   There are different levels of EMT’s with various depths of training required and there is always the required training for certification updating.  (You always just assume that your emergency personnel will be there when you need them but never of what they have had to endure to get where they are at that point in time).

You will find Emergency Medical Technicians with varying degrees of training, from the Basic EMT to what we know as Paramedics with Cardiac and Intermediate Technicians in between.  Basic EMT’s are qualified to provide basic life saving techniques and if they desire can continue their ‘education’. While the Cardiac and Intermediate focus more on the heart problems and the more complicated things that may occur.  Paramedics are able to provide many additional life saving techniques.  Many seem to continue their education, in addition, to keeping their current status up-to-date.

There are also Jr EMT’s who are under the age of 18 but are qualified to provide life saving techniques, but under the guidance of an adult EMT.  This day found 2 JR EMT’s on duty with 2 other EMT’s and others that where going off duty or on duty throughout the time we were there. 

In the early afternoon the rescue squad received another call.  This call not only disbursed an ambulance but the fire department and the police to one of the Fredericksburg industrial areas.  Thankfully it was a false alarm but all personnel needed to respond just in case it wasn't and quick action was needed.

The camaraderie I witnessed not only between the other emergency personnel but also among themselves was obvious and appeared to be a very necessary part of providing such an important service to the community.

We left a few hours later so that they could get back to their normal routine of cleaning up the station, doing any restocking of ambulances and ensuring the equipment was ready to go for the next time.

Personally, I had never sat down and thought about the training that they must take or how much of their time they voluntarily give up so that should I or my family ever have a need for them they are there, properly trained and eager to help me to the best of their ability.

Now that we have taken you into a quiet day with the Fredericksburg Volunteer Rescue Squad we're going to leave you with one thought/request.  The next time you see or need the services of the Rescue Squad remember to thank them for all the time that they spend volunteering to ensure you have a safe ride to the hospital and even quite possibly saving your life.

  And when you see them standing out on the corner with their boots requesting a donation, maybe you could take a few minutes to dig up all your loose change to give them, so that maybe, just maybe they can purchase that one piece of necessary lifesaving equipment.  You never know, it could be you who needs it!

There are approximately 100 active volunteers involved with the Fredericksburg Rescue Squad, which means they work from 5:00 PM to 6:00 AM weekdays and 24 hours on the weekends.  They are the first ones called for the City of Fredericksburg, southern Stafford and some of Spotsylvania.  They are also there to aid many of the other stations in the area should the need arise.  They have even provided assistance as far away as Orange County!

To find out more about volunteering contact your local rescue squad.  They will help you determine what may be the best area for you to help them out in. Check out this site to request more information also: http://www.vdh.state.va.us/oems/training.htm

A special thank you goes to AJ, Eric, Hattie, Katie and Travis for letting us into their world for a brief time on Christmas Eve.  And an extra special thank you goes to Adam for making the arrangements and to the Chief for allowing us to ride along.

Editors notes: You can visit the Fredericksburg Rescue Squad on the web at http://www.fredrescue.org/
Much of the money that the areas (Fredericksburg, Stafford and Spotsylvania) Volunteer Rescue Squads require is donated by citizens. Many of the areas EMT's are 100% volunteer. Many of the areas fire stations are the same way. So the next time you see them collecting money at the stop light for the Rescue Squad or Fire Station, drop a couple of dollars in the net, you never know when you'll need their services.