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EMS Week
This week, Sept. 16-22, is Emergency Medical Services Week in Virginia.
We join Gov. L. Douglas Wilder in saluting the dedicated men and women — both paid and volunteer — who provide emergency medical services across the Commonwealth.
Though they are most often noticed at the scene of a tragedy — fires, auto accidents and acts of violence — EMS providers do much more. They are there when called for illnesses and injuries that range from minor to lifethreatening.
Often, they also serve as instructors for communitybased education courses like Red Cross cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR). They share their knowledge with others, knowing that teaching those life-saving skills could save a neighbor or family member in the future.
In Rappahannock County, our rescue squads — like our fire departments — are staffed by volunteers. No one is paid for the time they sacrifice in training, in running calls, and in raising money.
The county government pays the cost of insurance for the departments through the Rappahannock County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association, but aside from that appropriation the squads rely on their communities for donations to keep their equipment on the road. Any contributions — large or small —are appreciated.
The departments are also always eager to talk to members of the community interested in becoming involved in their work. Though much of the effort is devoted to responding to emergencies, there are also many important administrative and fundraising tasks that require attention. Finding people willing to assist with those efforts is as important as finding people willing to ride on the ambulances.
We urge our neighbors to talk to their local rescue squad and fire department about getting involved. If you’d rather not run emergency calls, the volunteers will still appreciate the help offered in other areas.
The contribution they make to our community is invaluable — and they will gladly accept offers of assistance from others willing to make a similar contribution.
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