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VIRGINIA LIFELINE MARCH / APRIL 2012
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VIRGINIA LIFELINE
M A R C H / A P R I L 2 0 1 2
P a g e 2 M A R C H / A P R I L 2 0 1 2
V I R G I N I A L I F E L I N E
V I R G I N I A L I F E L I N E
P a g e 3 M A R C H / A P R I L 2 0 1 2
S. Craig Lane Receives Plaque for
30 Years of Service as the VAVRS Legal Advisor
(L to R) 'Bubby" Bish, President, Craig Lane, Legal Advisor,
J.C. Phillips, Parliamentarian."
V I R G I N I A L I F E L I N E
P a g e 4 M A R C H / A P R I L 2 0 1 2
AVAVRS Officers AVAVRS Committee Chairs Convention - Janis Slough
Convention Co-Chair - Vickie Arnold
Life Membership - Ruth Swicegood
Nominating - Carolyn Brand
Resolutions - Harry Householder
Emergency Care - Ailease Short
Membership - Sharon K. Campbell
Finance - Kitty Campbell
Roll Call - Jean Garrett
Roll Call Co-Chair - Valarie Becker
Recruitment & Retention - Marie Householder
Fund Raising - Linda Berkstresser
President - Fern Puckett
Vice President - Sharon Campbell
Secretary - Dolores Hudson
Treasurer - Kitty Campbell
Chaplain - Clara Craig
Historian - Heather S. Fox
Parliamentarian - Harry Householder
Immediate Past President - Joan Smoot
Midwestern VP - Sheila Gordon
Northeastern VP - Eddie Ann Orndoff
Southcentral VP - Patsy Wingfield
Southeastern VP - Gary Frame
Southwestern VP - Jean Garrett
Western VP - Curtis Preston
Submitted by Sheila Gordon, AVAVRS Midwestern District Vice President
The Midwestern District consists of Christiansburg, Franklin and Marion auxiliaries. The following
2011/2012 Officers were installed by AVAVRS Vice President, Sharon Campbell at our November
district meeting held in Riner.
Vice President Sheila Gordon
Assistant Vice President Dolores Hudson
Secretary/Treasurer Pat Bryant
Chaplain Ruth Swicegood
Historian Nancy Linkous
Parliamentarian Anita Fizer
EMT Chair Margaret Bishop
The next Midwestern District meeting will be held in Newport on February 18th.
I'd like to thank Midwestern District for their support and confidence in electing me
as there VP.
I'm planning on attending Spring Officers Workshop and I'm looking forward to
seeing everyone again.
From the AVAVRS Midwestern District
V I R G I N I A L I F E L I N E
P a g e 5 M A R C H / A P R I L 2 0 1 2
Submitted by Fern Puckett, AVAVRS President
Hello to everyone, Spring is just around the corner and we welcome the
warmer weather. I want to thank each of you for your hard work and
dedicated services you give not only to your Squad and Community but to the
Association.
As we are well into our new year, we start making plans for the Spring
Officers Workshop on April 14th. This year it will be held at the Holiday Inn
Koger Center, 1021 Koger Center Blvd., Richmond, VA 23235. As this is a
working session for the AVAVRS Officers, I extend a warm welcome to our
Life Members and Auxiliary Presidents.
I have been traveling during the year and had the honor of holding the installation of officers for
Southwestern District, Western District, Clifton Forge Auxiliary, Staunton/Augusta Auxiliary, Loudoun
Auxiliary, Lexington Auxiliary and Greater Manassas Auxiliary. I want to thank each District and
Auxiliary for the overwhelming hospitality shown to me during my visits. I also attended the VAVRS
Executive session at the State office in November and the telephone conference executive session in
February.
Rescue College will be held at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia. This is a great opportunity for our
members to enroll and attend classes that are offered by the VAVRS. The Auxiliary Management class
will be held on June 15th and 16th, and I have made every effort to make this class not only educational
but enjoyable. I hope that each of you will make plans to attend this year. The registration forms are
on the VAVRS website at www.vavrs.com and the deadline to enroll is April 16th.
I ask everyone to keep our members in prayer that have
sickness or have lost a loved one during the year. As I
receive information I have forwarded it on to my
contact email lists, and it can also be found on the
Friends and Family section on the VAVRS website.
I look forward to seeing each of you very soon as I visit
your District meeting and work for the betterment of
our association.
AVAVRS Theme
―Hands That Serve‖
-
―Hearts That Care‖
From the AVAVRS President
V I R G I N I A L I F E L I N E
P a g e 6 M A R C H / A P R I L 2 0 1 2
Submitted by Curtis D. Preston, Western District Vice President
Hoping everyone had a very Merry Christmas and a great start to the New Year!
I had a wonderful time participating in the Lexington, Buena Vista, Glasgow and Broadway Christmas
parades. Good job to all planners of these parades.
I was saddened to hear of the loss of one of the Waynesboro Rescue Squad Members.
The outpouring of love and respect for this young man, Kyle Southern, was deeply felt
not only by myself but for everyone there family night. Gone but not forgotten.
Our next District Meeting will be held at Founder's on the 26th of February at
1:00pm. Am looking forward to seeing everyone.
From the Western District Vice President
Submitted by Celia (Ce Ce) McCormick-Historian for the Waynesboro First Aid Crew Auxiliary
Hello again to everyone, We prepared an annual Christmas Dinner for 150 Vector Employee's We have
been doing this for along time. They love our Mac and Cheese. Crew member Ashley Cook and Auxiliary
member Wanda Braden attended the Fire Department Banquet an appreciation award given to the crew
and the auxiliary for their support through the year. The auxiliary was given an appreciation dinner by
the Waynesboro first aid crew for all our hard work through out the year, It was held at Rowes in
Staunton. Thank you Waynesboro first aid crew.
We had our annual Children's Christmas Party with Santa and a gift for each child. We also have our
annual New years eve party. We always have a great time. We are putting new mum's in the Memorial
garden. Attending the Western District which was at Fairfield. Norma Lee Braden was installed for
EMT chairmen 2nd term. We had two seating's for our annual picture project we did very well. Thanks
for all the participation from everyone and a special thanks to our own Cindy Banks.
We prepared a Banquet dinner for the Hermitage Church. The auxiliary prepared our annual
Thanksgiving Dinner for the crew and their family's. At the end of November we had out first Movie
Night. We had a small group of 9 but we all had a great time. cant wait to do it again soon.
In January we had our annual awards Banquet this was a emotional one we had a memorial service for
one of our Honorary Members Alice Bryant. And just the day before we lost
one of our Senior Crew members, Kyle Southern, age 21, in a tragic wreck.
We had a tribute in honor of him. He is going to be sadly missed by all.
During this time the auxiliary helped with Food, Love and Support in way of
the crew and Kyle's Family.
Each month we go out to celebrate auxiliary member's birthday's and
prepare meals for the first of the month drill's on Thursday night and Friday
morning with breakfast. So we have been a little busy since the new year,
Everyone have a great SPRING...
From the Waynesboro FAC Auxiliary
V I R G I N I A L I F E L I N E
P a g e 7 M A R C H / A P R I L 2 0 1 2
Submitted by Jean Garrett, Southwestern District Vice President and Bristol Auxiliary President
The Southwestern District held the second meeting of the year on January
21st at Glade Spring with a very good turn out. State officers present were:
Ruth & Jack Swicegood, Dolores Hudson, Vickie Arnold, Sharon Campbell, Clara
Craig & Guest- Lane Lusk, Ricky Hodge and Michael Berg of the office of
Emergency Medical Services. Glade Spring Rescue provided a delicious dinner.
Our District has already held the installation of officers. We had thirty four
members and guests to attend a Christmas get together at Shoney's in
Abingdon, Va. for an enjoyable dinner.
The installation of officers for the Bristol Auxiliary and the Senior Squad
was held together during the Christmas Banquet at Exit 7 Holiday Inn. The
auxiliary provided door prizes for this function. I had the privilege of presenting Mrs. Aileen
Rutherford a fifty-five(55) year service plaque.
The AVAVRS has just celebrated it's 60th anniversary and Aileen has been a member 55 out of 60
years. This is dedication. We are looking forward to the Spring Officers Workshop in Richmond VA
and Rescue College in June at Va. Tech.
Our next district meeting will be held on April 21st at the Cleveland Rescue Squad.
From the AVAVRS EMT Chairperson Submitted by Ailease Short AVAVRS EMT Chairperson
I am hoping that all the auxiliaries across the state are trying to do something to promote First Aid
and Emergency Care in your respective areas of the state.
At our Southeastern District meeting in November, I encouraged each Auxiliary present to go back and
do something to help get the word out there to promote Emergency Care in their area. I gave each
Auxiliary representative a sample “Circle the word” puzzle to share with their members back home.
We need to do something to spark some interest back across the state for
the Auxiliaries to keep their brains working geared toward Emergency
care in some form or the other. I passed out little goody bags with “body
parts” candy to go along with the puzzles.
I would love to see the Auxiliaries get back into competing at some level.
Maybe we could have District teams or joint auxiliary teams. Talk among
yourselves and let me know any ideas. Even it is just something for fun.
The Auxiliaries across the state are so important to their individual
squads and offer them so much support. Let think of ways to get us back
on the Emergency Care bus!
From the AVAVRS Southwestern District
P a g e 8 M A R C H / A P R I L 2 0 1 2
V I R G I N I A L I F E L I N E
Submitted by Sharon Karlet Campbell, Cave Spring Auxiliary
Upcoming Activities
The members of the Cave Spring Rescue Squad Auxiliary held their first meeting for 2012 on January
25th and it looks like we have a fairly full schedule in the months ahead.
First we welcomed a prospective new member and then we recognized Edith Martin for her 35 years of
service to the auxiliary and 28 years for Patsy Wingfield. We are very lucky to have the knowledge and
work ethic that these two ladies bring to our organization.
Katie Arnold had a presentation of the advertising that she
has planned for our upcoming Spring Chicken Barbecue,
which will be held on May 5th. This is a project for her
college marketing class and she has and is doing such a
great job. Hopefully her professor will recognize her time
and talents. Katie has also set up a “Cave Spring Rescue
Squad Auxiliary Facebook page” so she is getting our name
out there. Angie Williams and Edith Martin are getting started on making the BBQ Sauce necessary
for the barbeque. This secret recipe is what makes the chicken so good and we also sell it by the pint
or quart to the public.
We voted to collect school supplies and snacks for Mount Pleasant Elementary School. We always do
this project in the fall but in talking with the school, their supplies were almost non-existent. We have
delivered three boxes of school supplies and 4 boxes plus some bags of nutritional snacks. The kids
send us wonderful “thank you” notes and we are happy to do our part in seeing that these kids are not
hungry.
The crew is hosting the 6th District VAVRS meeting on the 19th of February. The Auxiliary will be
fixing and serving lunch and we hope there will be a big crowd. The menu is going to consist of ham,
macaroni and cheese, green beans, salad, rolls and desserts.
Once again we are going to make and sell Chocolate Covered Easter Eggs. We
will be spending a lot of time at the crew hall and we will have a slew of people
offering to do a “taste test”. This year we are going to offer eggs for $3.00
each in the following flavors: Butter Cream, Peanut Butter Cream, Chocolate
Cream, Coconut Cream and Strawberry Cream. Hopefully we will be attending
different district meetings so you too will have your chance to buy these
delicious eggs.
We anticipate holding a Spring Yard Sale on Saturday, April 28th. Currently we are beating the bushes
for items to sell. We continue to do a RADA knife order each month. This is not a fantastic money
making project but it provides a nice return and the product sells itself.
(Continued on page 9)
Cave Spring Rescue Auxiliary
P a g e 9 M A R C H / A P R I L 2 0 1 2
V I R G I N I A L I F E L I N E
During our meeting we fixed goodie Valentine bags for the crew members. The crew members enjoyed
them while attending their business meeting on February 1st. We had enough left over that we could
hang them from our “Goodie Tree” for the EMT class.
We finally finished refurbishing the crew patch board display
but we need more patches. We would love for you to send us
your crew patch so it can be added to the display. It can be
sent to me or to the crew address marked to my attention and
I’ll see that it gets added. Many of the patches we have are
from crews no longer in existence, how sad that the number of
volunteer crews is decreasing.
The groundhog saw his shadow so that means 6 more weeks of
winter. My hope is that the next 6 weeks will be as mild as
the winter has been so far. To each of you, we wish you a
great early spring and hope to see you soon.
(Continued from page 8)
Cave Spring Rescue Auxiliary continued
From the AVAVRS Chaplain Submitted by Clara Craig, AVAVRS Chaplain
Wow, what a warm Winter we have been having. We are looking
forward to Spring and the flowers blooming.
I have had the opportunity to attend several auxiliary district
meetings. It was a real blessing to attend the events and visit
with my friends. I plan to visit other districts in upcoming
months. I have been sending cards and updates of prayer
requests as requested. Please continue to remember those that
have serious health problems and those who have had a loved one
who has passed away. I am looking forward to seeing my friends
and making new ones at the Spring Officers Workshop and Rescue
College.
My hope is that you will have a wonderful Spring and blessed Easter holiday. My prayer is that each
one will remember the real reason we celebrate Easter. The death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord
and Savior-Jesus Christ. He lives that we might have eternal life. May the Lord watch over and bless
each of you. Matthew 28:1-8. He is risen! In Christ and Volunteer Service, Clara Craig.
P a g e 1 0 M A R C H / A P R I L 2 0 1 2
V I R G I N I A L I F E L I N E
Upcoming Events
April 14, 2012 Spring B.O.G. Meeting Holiday Inn-Richmond
June 9—17, 2012 Rescue College
Blacksburg
June 23, 2012 National EMS Memorial
Service Colorado Springs, CO
September 26—29, 2012
VAVRS Convention
Virginia Beach
Executive Committee
Meetings
April 13, 2012 Koger Center, Richmond
7:30 p.m.
June 2, 2012 Teleconference
9:00 a.m.
August 11, 2012 VA Beach Resort and
Conference Center 9:00 a.m.
September 27, 2012
VA Beach Resort and Conference Center
10:00 a.m.
The Spring Board of Governors
Meeting will be held on April 14,
2012 at the Holiday Inn Select,
Koger Center South, 1021 Koger
Center Blvd, Richmond, VA 23235
beginning at 9:00 a.m.
"Diamond Reflections" a book regarding
the first 75 years of the Virginia Association
of Volunteer Rescue Squads is now available
from the VAVRS Office by calling the VAVRS
Office at 800-833-0602 - The more than 250
page hardback book has chapters about our history, our Past Presidents, Life Members,
Hall of Fame members, VAVRS/AVAVRS/VAJVRS officers, State Conventions, Rescue
College, and much more. For only $30.00 plus $5.00 shipping, you can own your own copy
of this beautiful documentation of 75 years of the VAVRS.
Officers Nominating—R. Bruce Stratton
Membership/Personnel—Rickey Hodge
Life Membership—Ronnie Slough
Bylaws—Bruce Edwards
Hall of Fame—A. Page Entsminger
Convention—Ford Wirt
EMS Representative—Dreama Chandler
EMS Representative—Wayne Myers, Jr.
Rescue College Co-Chair—Rickey Hodge
Rescue College Co-Chair—Wayne Myers
EMS Advisory Board—Dreama Chandler
EMS Advisory Board—Wayne Myers
Grant—Elizabeth Enos
JSW/FEW Scholarship Fund—Carolyn Brand
National EMS Memorial Service—Kevin L. Dillard
EMS Exchange Program—Jane LaVerne
Recruitment and Retention—Fran Phillips
Course Development—Doug Eberhardt
Facility Manager—Lin Matthews
Redistricting Study—Wanda B. Morehead
Volunteer Management—J. C. Phillips
Legislative—Dreama Chandler
President Edward B. “ Bubby” Bish Jr.
Vice President Rickey Hodge
Secretary Connie Moore
Treasurer Steven Dove
Training Officer Scott Davis
Chaplain/Editor Gary Dalton
Historian Mike Smoot
Immediate Past President Steve Grayson
Legal Advisor S. Craig Lane
Medical Advisor James R. Dudley, MD, MBA
Parliamentarian J. C. Phillips
Lobbyist Ed Rhodes
Training Coordinator Kathy Eubank
Administrative Secretary Shirley Bagby
District 1 V. P. Scott Masincup
District 2 V. P. Carolyn White
District 3 V. P. Thomas Gwaltney
District 4 V. P. Karen Wagner
District 5 V. P. James Fontaine
District 6 V. P. June Ann Wilkes
District 7 V. P. Thomas E. Harris “Ted”
District 8 V. P. Teresa F. Whitlock
District 9 V. P. Claude Graybeal
District 10 V. P. Ronald Ridgley Diamond
Reflections
Committee Chairs
P a g e 1 1 M A R C H / A P R I L 2 0 1 2
V I R G I N I A L I F E L I N E
P a g e 1 2 M A R C H / A P R I L 2 0 1 2
V I R G I N I A L I F E L I N E
Submitted by J. C. Phillips, VAVRS Parliamentarian
For all of you that e-mail me or will e-mail me in the
future concerning parliamentary questions, I have a tip that will improve
the communications between us. In fact, I have two tips.
Tip No. 1 - Make sure you type in the right e-mail address for me. My e-
mail address is [email protected] not [email protected]. Did you catch the
difference? My Virginia Rescue Squad license plate number is RS1 so
that is why I use RS1VA.
Depending on the computer font that is used, it is sometimes hard to tell a number "1" from the lower
case "L" which is "l." Have I confused you yet? Remember, it is [email protected] and not [email protected].
Tip No 2 - I have a spam folder on my computer and if an unknown e-mail address is sent to me, it goes
into that spam folder. If I don't recognize the e-mail address and the subject is left blank, it gets
deleted. To prevent this e-mail from being deleted, please next to the subject type in
"BYLAWS." This way I will know that it is not spam.
Over the years, I have found out that one or both of these reasons is why I have not received or
read some of the e-mails sent to me.. If you follow these two tips, I will read your e-mails and get
answers back to you as soon as possible.
The 60 Second Parliamentarian Tip
From District Four Submitted by Gary Dalton District 4 Training Officer
The Governor’s EMS Award for Outstanding
Contribution to EMS by a High School Senior
The Dr. Carol Gilbert $5,000 Scholarship
Michaela Fleming
For Michaela, becoming involved in EMS was “in her blood”, as
generations of her family beginning with her great grandfather,
volunteered at their local EMS agency. Michaela is a dedicated and
talented high school senior who has divided her time between AP
coursework (to maintain her 3.71 GPA), extracurricular activities and
volunteering on the Woodstock Junior Rescue Squad. Her goals are set
on continuing education in the nursing field and bridging those skills to
the paramedic level with her squad. She values the importance of volunteering in the community and
hopes that one day she’ll pass on the dedication and passion she has for EMS to her children. Michaela’s
contributions to Virginia’s local, regional and state EMS system are exceptional and greatly valued by
the Commonwealth of Virginia. ‖ CONGRATULATIONS MICHAELA ! ‖
P a g e 1 3 M A R C H / A P R I L 2 0 1 2
V I R G I N I A L I F E L I N E
Submitted by Bobby Hill, Recruitment Coordinator, Virginia Beach Rescue Squad Foundation and VAVRS Recruitment and Retention Committee Co-Chair
Every day you are bombarded with at least 50,000 thoughts. 80% are uninvited and most are negative
in nature. Good news does not sell. You have to generate good news and this means telling positive
stories before someone else generates a negative story about you or your organization. It doesn’t
matter if you use social media, read it in print or communicate P2P [person to person]. Someone is
telling a story, selling something, or promoting an agenda. I am not going to get into rules, laws and
policies surrounding what you can say or can’t say except one; “If you wouldn’t want your mother to see
or read about you, your agency in a compromising situation I wouldn’t post it, or print it.”
What I am going to share with you today are a few of the types of social media platforms available to
tell your story/promote your volunteer fire/EMS agency. If you are not promoting your organization
with, “telling your story” through social media, your chances of surviving as a strong non-profit
organization are probably on the decline. Even the smallest volunteer organization with no marketing
funds can setup for free several of the social media platforms that I am about to discuss.
We are going to briefly talk about:
Professional Facebook Pages
Blogging
FLICKR Photo Account
YouTube Video Account
There are many other social media platforms out there and new ones are created on a regular basis
along with social media experts that you can consult. You have to ask yourself the following question.
“Can I make time or find someone to setup the platforms and to update the platforms regularly with
fresh content?” It is simple to setup some of the accounts. It takes as little as ten minutes. But, will
you or someone take the time to upload fresh content on a regular basis. There is nothing worst than
going to a blog or a professional Facebook page, and it has been weeks or months since a new posting
has taken place. Well, there is something worst. A website link that is no longer working.
Speaking of websites:
I am not going to talk about websites other than to say that you can build a website for free, or invest
small to big bucks to create, host and maintain a website and with content management software (I
don’t recommend Flash) you do have flexibility to change content. I believe a Blog is a better way to
“tell your story” in conjunction with a Professional Facebook, YouTube Video Account and a Flickr Photo
Account.
(Continued on page 14)
Tell Your Story
Through Social Media
R&R
Committee
Professional Facebook Page:
A professional Facebook page can be created in ten minutes and for
free. I don’t recommend a “Friends” personal Facebook page under
your volunteer agencies name. A Friends Facebook Page is designed for the individual person to
generate “friends” and has some limitations including a maximum number of “friends” allowed to like
your Facebook. With a Professional Facebook Page you can list information about your organization
such as location, mission, contact information, list special upcoming events, create photo’s and video’s of
your organization. A Professional Facebook Page has no maximum number of “likes” and a person can
find you on Google Maps. A good reason to create a Professional Facebook Page using your volunteer
organizations name is to prevent someone else from using your name. It has been known to happen.
You can allow people to leave comments about your postings or restrict comments. You can also create
links to other Facebook sites. However, you are restricted to the number of characters you can embed
in a Facebook posting. I have included a few links to Facebook pages for you to review including the VA
Beach Rescue Squad Foundation Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/livesneedsaving, another is the
VAVRS District Ten Facebook site at: http://www.facebook.com/VAVRSDistrict10, and you can also see
the Virginia Office of EMS Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Virginia-
EMS/153545858005772 and finally the VAVRS Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Virginia-
Association-of-Volunteer-Rescue-Squads/110829372281923.
Lets talk for a minute about a ―Blog‖.
What is a Blog and how would a Blog benefit a volunteer rescue squad?
Basically a blog is a web-based journal of events or actions sometimes
following one person or an organization. You can create a “blog” using a free
program or purchase a software program that comes with a few more bells and whistles. Word Press is
a popular program that incorporates content management software that allows you to upload, make
changes and control the content 24 hours a day. Couple of nice things
about a blog, you do not have the word limitations that you have with
Facebook, you can also control comments, create links to other sites,
include photos, videos and among other actions, embed audio and PDF
files. I like the fact that you can generate a posting today and schedule
it to be uploaded to your blog hours, days or even weeks down the road.
Pretty cool! I generate postings several times a week to my recruiting
blog and create links back to my blog from my recruiting Facebook site.
Basically I create a “tickler” [short burst of action words] in my recruiting
Facebook site with a link to my blog where a person can find the full
report. A blog can take on the look of a website and even be use in lieu of
a website to recruit, market, accept on line donations, etc.
A few fire/EMS blog sites to look at: a personal blog site called EMS1,
http://www.ems1.com/ems-blogs/ The JEMS Magazine blog site, http://
connect.jems.com/ and the VA Beach Rescue Squad recruiting blog site at:
http://www.livesneedsaving.org/blog/.
(Continued from page 13)
(Continued on page 15)
P a g e 1 4 M A R C H / A P R I L 2 0 1 2
V I R G I N I A L I F E L I N E
P a g e 1 5 M A R C H / A P R I L 2 0 1 2
V I R G I N I A L I F E L I N E
Now lets talk about digital photo and video sites.
FLICKR Photo and Video:
Flickr is an imaged and video based hosting site located
on-line [web based]. Flickr comes with a free hosting
[some limitations to file size, number of uploads] or a
paid hosting [a lot more bells and whistles]. You can
create special events by name of event, date, time and even GPS location. You can generate a
descriptive and create tags [special key words that can be linked to other sites, photos, groups and
people]. You can embed FLICKR photos or links into a Blog, and a Facebook site among other sites. You
can authorize or restrict uploads from individuals to your FLICKR site.
You can take a look at the VA Beach Rescue Squad FLICKR site at: http://www.flickr.com/search/?
q=virginia+beach+rescue+squad&f=hp You can also upload videos to your FLICKR site.
Finally, lets talk about YouTube.
YouTube Video Account:
YouTube is one of several video based hosting sites
located on line. YouTube has a free account and a paid
account. You can upload larger files to the paid side of
YouTube. Once you upload your video you can change or
add background music, make graphic changes and
generate a word summary defining what the video is all about and include links to Facebook and Blog
sites among other sites. Some videos can generate income back to your organization. This usually
involves linking marketing ads to your video.
You an take a look at the
Virginia Beach Rescue Squad
Foundation YouTube site at:
http://www.youtube.com/
user/VBRSFOUNDATION?
ob=0
In conclusion:
I have just touched briefly on some of the social media platforms available to you. Have I gone
completely over to the dark side of the social marketing force? No. I do rely heavily on social
marketing and it generates results in recruiting, retention and donations. However, I do recruit in local
newspapers, special newsprint such as a couple of local military newspapers, conduct radio burst [two
week radio burst, 4 times a year] and I attend concerts, career fairs, school fairs, malls events, church
events, sporting events to name a few. Oh, by the way, nearly all of my marketing skills are a
combination of self-taught [I love to read], attending local community based social marketing programs,
some free and some I paid for myself.
(Continued from page 14)
P a g e 1 6 M A R C H / A P R I L 2 0 1 2
V I R G I N I A L I F E L I N E
For a complete list of the current courses being offered
by the VAVRS go to www.vavrs.com
Articles may be submitted by any member of the VAVRS, AVAVRS and VAJVRS.
Feature articles are encouraged. Photos and/or Graphics are acceptable and can be returned if requested. Contact the Editor if you need assistance in writing an article at
Deadline for future issues as follows: February 10, 2012 for March/April
April 10, 2012 for May/June June 10, 2012 for July/August
August 10, 2012 for September/October September 1, 2012 for Convention
October 10, 2012 for November/December
Deadline for the Upcoming
Issues of the LIFELINE
THE VIRGINIA LIFELINE ISSN 0279-6023 is the official bimonthly publication of the
Virginia Association of Volunteer Rescue Squads, Inc.
Editorial material should be sent directly to the VAVRS Editor at
P O Box 522, Woodstock, VA 22664 (H) 540-459-4849—(W) 540-536-2758
(FAX) 540-459-4925—(C) 540-481-0125 (E-MAIL) [email protected]
Requests for advertising rates, material specifications
and deadlines should be directed to the Editor.
P a g e 1 7 M A R C H / A P R I L 2 0 1 2
V I R G I N I A L I F E L I N E
Lt. Brian F. Talty CC-EMT-P; Assistant Operations Supervisor Richmond Ambulance Authority
~Let’s get a brief run through of some common degenerative
neurological disorders that many of us have probably forgotten
about. You have been there; your patient is dictating their PMH and
one of those “weird diseases” from way back in the back of the
chapter of your medic book. Instead of showing some humility and
asking, “What is that again?” we tend to remain arrogant and
pretend like we know what they are talking about. I have heard
before that arrogance is ignorance, in cases like these, your
ignorance could have untoward effects on your patients.
~Alzheimer’s Disease – It is the most common cause of dementia in
the elderly. The disease results from death and disappearance of nerve cells in the cerebral cortex and
this causes marked atrophy (decrease in size or wasting away of a body part or tissue) of the brain.
Initially, patients will have problems with short term memory and this will usually progress to problems
with though and intellect. The patient will develop a shuffling gait and will have stiffness of the body
muscles. With progression of the disease the patient will develop aphasia (inability to speak) and severe
psychiatric disturbances. Towards the end of life they will become decorticate (flexion of the
extremities toward the body) and will eventually lose all ability think, speak and move.
~Muscular Dystrophy (MD) – Refers to a group of genetic diseases characterized by progressive muscle
weakness and degeneration of the skeletal or voluntary muscle fibers. The heart and other involuntary
muscles are affected in some types of MD. There are several forms of MD and some appear in early
childhood while others are not apparent until middle age.
~Multiple Sclerosis (MS) – Unpredictable disease of the central nervous. MS
involves inflammation of the certain nerve cells followed by demyelination, or
the destruction of the myelin sheath, which is the fatty insulation surrounding
nerve fibers of the brain and spinal cord. When the myelin sheath is damaged,
the nerves are unable to properly conduct impulses. The disease is known to
involve an autoimmune attack against myelin and patients may have signs of
weakness, sensory loss, paresthesias (sensation of pricking, tingling, or creeping
on the skin) and changes in vision.
~Dystonias – A group of disorders characterized by muscle contraction that cause twisting and
repetitive movements, abnormal postures, or freezing in the middle of an action. Such movements are
involuntary and sometimes painful. They may affect a single muscle, muscle group or the whole body.
~Parkinson’s Disease – Parkinson’s belongs to a group of condition known as motor system disorders.
Parkinson’s is a chronic and progressive disorder with four main characteristics;
1-Tremor-Sometimes called “pill rolling”, the typical tremor is a rhythmic back and forth motion of the
thumb and forefinger. It usually begins in the hand and progress to an arm, a foot, or the jaw.
2-Rigidity- All muscles have an opposing muscle, in the health adult one muscle contracts while the
opposing muscle relaxes. In Parkinson’s the balance is off creating rigidity.
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Degenerative Neurological Disorders
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3-Bradykinesia-Normal, spontaneous, and
autonomic movement is lowed and
sometimes lost. Such loss of movement is
unpredictable. While one moment the
patient can move easily, the next moment
he cannot.
4-Postural Instability-Impaired balance and
coordination cause patients to develop a
forward or backward lean, stooped posture
and the tendency to fall easily. Parkinson’s
patients may also suffer from depression,
shuffling gait (walk), “stone” face and
dementia.
~That is just a few, next week we will hit
on Central Pain Syndrome, Bell’s Palsy,
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Myoclonus,
Spina Bifida and Poliomyelitis.
~Remember that often times arrogance is
ignorance, keep both of them far away
from you, your partner and your patient.
~An education is expensive but knowledge
is free, please feel free to distribute this
to whomever you want. If you wish to
receive these emails directly, email your
name and address and I will add you to the
mailing list.
~The person that knows HOW will always
have a job, the person that knows WHY will
always be their boss.
Remember to always act in your patient’s best interest, always use sound clinical judgment and always
follow your protocols.
*This is supplemental educational material that is researched and distributed by Brian Talty. I
attempt to ensure accuracy but there may be some instances of incorrect facts or material or
grammatical errors that mislead the reader. These are written from experience, EMS books in my
library and research done on the internet. These are meant to bring out things that you have
forgotten in the back of your brain and to encourage critical thinking. The base of the subject is
given here but the core must be researched on your own and application is pursuant to your
agency protocol. These in no way replace your protocols and should never jeopardize patient
care. Please remember that I try to ensure 100% accuracy but I am human and mistakes may be
sent out. If there is something that does not look right, question it or research it on your own to
eliminate confusion. I may be reached at 804-874-8724 or by email, [email protected]. *
V I R G I N I A L I F E L I N E
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In Honor Of Our Departed Members John S. Bell - Westvaco RS
John H. Brandt - Lake of the Woods VRS
James P. Catron Jr. - Saltville RS
Rawleigh G. Clary - Brunswick VRS
William Dickson - White Oak VRS
William G. “Sonny” Frank - Colonial Beach VRS Auxiliary
Mary Anna C. Greene - Manchester VRS
Elworth Johnson - Franklin Co RS
Mary Lou Lail - Colonial Beach VRS Auxiliary
David V. Lawless - Fieldale-Collinsville VRS
Carolyn H. Layne - Holly Grove VRS
Alex R. O’Bryhim - Fredericksburg VRS
James V. Pelter - Buena Vista RS
Jameson G. “Jamie” Powell - Henrico VRS
Opal Long Taylor - Clifton Forge RS
Bobbie Lee Wood - Westvaco RS
These sixteen providers and support
personnel are no longer with us and
are remembered for their service
and dedication to our communities
and to the delivery of quality patient
care in the Commonwealth of
Virginia.
The 2012 VAVRS Memorial Service
will memorialize these VAVRS
members whose death occurred
between September 1, 2011 and
September 1st, 2012. If your agency
has additional members that should
be recognized please submit the
member’s information and photo
along with a scan of your agency
patch to the VAVRS Chaplain Gary
Dalton by mail to P O Box 522,
Woodstock, VA or by email to
[email protected]. For assistance
with any issues you have you can also
call 540-481-0125.
Submitted by Gary Dalton, VAVRS Chaplain
Easter is THE central event in the life of the Church. There is
nothing more important to a Christian than the sacrificial death
and bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ. His birth was contrary
to the laws of life and his death was contrary to the laws of
death.
As we reflect on what Easter means to us please take the time
this Spring season to reflect on the newest it brings to our lives.
Personally, I simply love Springtime. I offer you this simple
Springtime Prayer:
For the flowers that bloom about our feet, for tender grass, so fresh, so sweet. For song of bird, and
hum of bee, for all things fair we hear and see. Father in heaven, we thank thee!
For blue or stream and blue of sky, for pleasant shade of branches high, for fragrant air and cooling
breeze for beauty of the blooming trees, Father in heaven, we thank Thee!
VAVRS Chaplain
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VAJVRS OFFICERS
President
Christina Stanley
Glade Spring
Vice President
Cora Fearnow
Bensley-Bermuda
Secretary/Treasurer
April Harris
Brunswick
Chaplain
Dylan Coalson
Glade Spring
Historian
Stephen Martone
Mountain View
District 2 Vice President
Jennifer Winston
Brunswick
District 3 Vice President
Cora Fearnow
Bensley-Bermuda
District 9 Vice President
Christina Stanley
Glade Spring
VAJVRS ADVISORS
Katherine Eubank, Chair
Woody T. Conner
Micky Grodski
Alfred Smith
Kim Craig
Brandon Baugus
VAJVRS MEMBERSHIP
District 1
Buena Vista
Clifton Forge
Staunton-Augusta
Stuarts Draft
Waynesboro
District 2
Brunswick
District 3
Ashcake
Bensley-Bermuda
Forest View
Hopewell
Manchester
West Hanover
District 4
Loudoun Co
Woodstock
District 5
Danville
District 6
Fieldale Collinsville
Franklin Co
Ridgeway
District 7
Blacksburg
Giles
District 9
Glade Spring
Washington Co
District 10
Colonial Beach
Frog Level
Mountain View
VAJVRS MEETING
INFORMATION
District Meetings:
Junior District meetings are at
the same time & location as the
Senior District meetings.
Visit www.vavrs.com for complete
listings on our home page
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Submitted by Steve Dove, VAVRS Treasurer
On Sunday, February 5, 2012 District 10
held a meeting at the Orange Volunteer
Rescue Squad. Just prior to the meeting
Melissa Hall – Mary Washington Healthcare
Trauma Program Manager, Sue Connors –
Mary Washington Healthcare Trauma
Program Administrative Assistant and Tina Skinner – Mary
Washington Healthcare EMS Manager conducted a training lecture
on Trauma Patients. This informative lecture lasted an hour and
BLS and ALS participants received Category 1 Continuing Education through the Office of EMS.
District 10 was excited to have Junior Competition Teams for a BLS Scenario from Mountain View
Volunteer Rescue Squad and Colonial Beach Volunteer Rescue Squad. Mountain View recently
reenergized their Junior Squad and the hard work paid off and their Junior BLS Team took home the
first place trophy in this competition. Colonial Beach Volunteer Rescue Squad Senior BLS team took
home the first place trophy for the BLS Competition held prior to the District 10 Meeting.
Despite overcast skies, George Langford set-up and judge the Senior and Junior EVOC Competitions.
After all Senior members had an opportunity to compete on the cone course, the course was modified
and the Junior had the opportunity to drive an ATV through the cone course. Our Junior EVOC has
District Ten News
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become a huge hit with
the younger members
after rolling this program
out at the District 10
Rescue Camp for Kids in
2011. While the kids are
not receiving any
certification for
participating, the smiles
and excitement displayed
on this course is certainly
an indication of how much
fun they are having and
beginning to teach them
some concepts of
operating a moving vehicle.
Lots of information was
passed on during our
meeting, but there was still time left for everyone to
make it to their Super Bowl festivities. Several
District 10 Officers and agencies commented on the
valuable resource that we are using that our younger
generation is now convincing the adults to take
advantage of. This is our District Facebook page. We
are thrilled that the information we are provided is
(Continued on page 24)
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linked and shared by so many from our Facebook
page. We would encourage anyone that has an
interest in setting up this valuable communication
tool to do so, it cost you nothing but your time. Do
not become to concern with the content that could
be posted, as you can control many posting aspects
of Facebook. We would be happy to help any agency
or any District in getting their Facebook page up and
running if you need any assistance.
District 10 is currently seeking
additional electronic resources to keep
our members informed. In the new era
of everything becoming electronic we
use the feedback from our Junior
Squads to evaluate what tools are out
there for us. Our next planned venture is to begin
working on a Twitter account, so look forward to
that coming out in a few months.
Our next meeting will not be held until after the
Spring BOG meeting in Richmond, we will be meeting
again on June 3, 2012 at the King George Volunteer
Rescue Squad. Our meeting starts at 1:00 p.m. but
beforehand we will offer a training lecture provided
by the Mary Washington Healthcare Sexual Assault
Nurse Examiners (SANE) regarding Child
Abuse and Neglect. Category 1 Continuing
Education hours will be awarded to all those
that attend – BLS topic 08 and ALS Topic 91.
Our competitions will start at approximately
9:00 a.m. and there is no need to register
although it is preferred, if you are
interested in participating or have any
questions please contact District 10 Vice
President Ronald “Sparky” Ridgely. We look
forward to seeing everyone in Richmond in
April at the Spring Board of Governors
meeting.
(Continued from page 23)
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Article taken from the Martinsville Bulletin Breaking News 01/23/12
Claude Cobler received the 2011 Jack Dalton
Community Service Award tonight from the Henry
County Board of Supervisors.
Cobler, who joined the Bassett Rescue Squad in
1966, has a resume of volunteerism and community
service that is extensive and still growing. He
currently is the training director and president of
the board of directors for the Bassett Rescue Squad, and he has served the
squad in virtually every facet imaginable during his 46 years, according to a news release. He has served
as the squad’s captain a total of 24 years.
“Claude Cobler is the quintessential volunteer,” said Jim Adams, chairman of the Board of Supervisors.
“There is no better example of what community service is all about. He literally has touched the lives of
thousands of local residents.”
Cobler is certified as an Emergency Medical Technician instructor and an emergency vehicle operator
and instructor. He has received commendations for his service from multiple state and local entities
and recruited or trained many local leaders to serve as well, including County Administrator Benny
Summerlin, Henry County Public Safety Director Dale Wagoner and most
members of the county’s public safety staff,
the release said.
“It would be hard to imagine an EMS system
in Henry County without Claude Cobler’s
contributions,” Summerlin said. “Claude has
impacted every aspect of EMS service for
our residents
through his service and his training of other
volunteers. There are many people alive today
because of Claude Cobler’s dedication to EMS
and to his community.”
The Jack Dalton Community Service Award
annually goes to the Henry County resident
who best demonstrates the exemplary
community service that marked Dalton’s years
of public service. Dalton served as a member
of the Henry County Board of Supervisors for
more than 24 years, and was serving as the
Board Chairman at the time of his death on
May 24, 2000.
Claude Cobler Receive Dalton Award
Conference Location:
Holiday Inn Roanoke Valley View 3315 Ordway Drive Roanoke, VA 24017
Registration:
Register through Carilion Direct at 540-266-6000 or 800-422-8482.
Pre-registration is required.
Registration deadline: Friday, April 6, 2012.
To download an application
visit www.vavrs.com/news
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As many of you may or may not know, in 2005 the Virginia Beach Rescue Squad Foundation instituted
the Virginia Gilpin Distinguished Service Award in order to recognize individuals whose outstanding
actions and activities have helped to strengthen and enhance the volunteer rescue squad system in the
City of Virginia Beach. Since that time four individuals from this community have been singled out for
this honor: Virginia Gilpin, Peter Agelasto, Bill Laws and Dr. Andy Dickinson.
Tonight it is my great pleasure, on behalf of the Foundation’s Board of Directors to recognize Robert
S. Hill, Jr. as the 2011 Virginia Gilpin Distinguished Service Award recipient.
Bobby, as he is known by all, began what would become his lifelong passion for volunteer rescue almost
45 years ago. He has spent the majority of those years as a member of the Virginia Beach Volunteer
Rescue Squad however every squad in this city has benefited from his passion, hard work and
enthusiasm.
Bobby has been a major motivator and supporter at every level of this system from the many hours he
has spent as an active operational member to encouraging new recruits to seeking solutions for
retaining and assisting active members. He has made it his personal mission to document and thus tell
the Virginia Beach volunteer rescue story through his photographs and videos.
Over the years he has received numerous awards and accolades including the Virginia Beach DEMS
Medal of Merit and Class Act Awards; the TEMS R.C. Dailey Award and the Captain’s Choice Award
from the Virginia Beach Volunteer Rescue Squad. He recently was appointed Chair of the Virginia
Statewide EMS & Fire Recruitment and Retention Committee.
In 2009 Bobby retired as Chief Magistrate for the City of Virginia Beach. He then turned his passion
into a full time avocation as recruitment coordinator for the Foundation. His intense efforts to
encourage recruitment and raise community awareness of this invaluable volunteer system have
produced overwhelming results in the numbers of new recruits.
Bobby has served his squad and even more so this volunteer system
well above and beyond the call. His belief and trust in his fellow
volunteers and their abilities is obvious. Bobby’s dedication and
selfless determination to encourage, promote and recognize volunteer
EMT service especially in the City of Virginia Beach is truly
commendable and deserves our deepest appreciation.
Thank you, Bobby for all your tireless efforts on behalf of this
volunteer system.
Bobby Hill Recognized as the
2011 Virginia Gilpin Distinguished
Service Award Recipient by the
Virginia Beach Rescue Squad
Foundation
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Submitted by Anthoney Robbins, Public Relations Officer for Pennington Gap Unit of Lee County RS
The Pennington Gap Unit of the Lee County Rescue Squad answered a
total of 1,024 calls in 2011, consisting of 2,358 man hours and 10,639
miles.
Lee County is located in the Western most tip of Virginia, bordering
Tennessee and Kentucky, and is the poorest county in the state.
Volunteers are few and far between and the squad recently added professional supplemental staffing to enable
timely response to calls. The squad's average enroute time is less than 4 minutes.
Lee County is in the process of implementing Enhanced 911 and the quick response time is essential to the
success of the system.
We had a very successful and productive 2011 and look forward to an even more productive 2012!
Pennington Gap Unit News
VAVRS Nominating Committee Submitted by R. Bruce Stratton, Nominating Committee Chair
Our VAVRS has a long and proud history. Our Association has functioned excellently,
as intended, to provide its’ members training, organizational support, moral
support, and a much needed forum for exchange of information and ideas.
The VAVRS has grown to be highly and widely respected. We have members
invited and appointed to Va. State level committees. We have been invited to
and have provided training (Farm Machinery Extrication) in Canada. We have
an ongoing EMS Provider Exchange program with Germany. The National EMS Memorial program had its
start with the VAVRS. An organization (any organization) is subject to fail without good leadership.
The membership of our VAVRS has repeatedly elected good and qualified leaders.
Letters of Intent, Resumes, etc. to place an individual for consideration for an office by your
Nominating Committee are due in to the VAVRS Office by June 1st. Please look closely and if you feel
that you would be a good candidate for a particular office make it known. Once the information is
received at the Office interviews are set up. Candidates for Treasurer go through an interview with a
panel including members of the Finance Committee and then with the Nominating Committee. Your
Committee has from the 1st of June to the 15th of July to meet to select one candidate for nomination
to each office. This looks like a long time. Please remember that Rescue College and the National EMS
Memorial Service take place during this period. Both the candidates and Committee members are
subject to be on family vacations. A lot of effort goes into scheduling interviews so that each
participant is included. So, again, please assure that letters of intent, etc. arrive at the VAVRS Office
by June 1st.
Your Nominating Committee members (1 member from each District) take their responsibility seriously
and are thankful for the opportunity to provide their services as part of your election process.
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Spotsylvania, VA (January 24, 2012) – Chancellor Volunteer Fire & Rescue (CVFR) has announced its new
officers for 2012. The following officers were installed at the organization’s annual banquet on Satur-
day, January 21 at the American Legion Post 320 in Spotsylvania County:
Fire Chief – Richard Cantillon
Administrative Chief – Kevin Dillard
Deputy Chief – William Whitby
Assistant Chief-Fire – Khary Stringer
Assistant Chief-EMS – Eric Lasky
Safety Officer – Thad Williams
President – Phillip Gouldman
Vice President – John Rayman
Secretary – Mary Padgett
Treasurer – Hollie Williams
Board of Directors (at large) – Joseph Habib, Fred Hedge, Denny Kelly
Captain Fire/Rescue 5 – Joe Williams
Captain Fire/Rescue 6 – Tony Dennis
Captain Fire/Rescue 10 – Bob Weber
Nate Johnson named Member of the Year at annual banquet Also, Nate Johnson was honored with the organization’s most prestigious annual award, Member of the
Year—2011, for his outstanding service to Chancellor Volunteer Fire & Rescue. He is a past Assistant
Fire Chief with the organization. To commemorate this special distinction, Johnson received an en-
graved plaque during the awards ceremony at the annual banquet.
“All of these dedicated public safety officers are passionate about volunteerism in our community,” said
Kevin Dillard, Administrative Chief for CVFR. “Collectively, they have donated thousands of hours in
training classes and while on-duty at our fire and EMS stations. They are committed to providing pro-
fessional, high quality fire and rescue services to the citizens of Spotsylvania County.”
# # #
About CVFR: Chancellor Volunteer Fire & Rescue has served Spotsylvania County for over 50 years.
Currently, CVFR has over 300 all-volunteer personnel that operate out of four fire companies and five
rescue stations throughout the county. For more information, visit www.cvfr.net.
Chancellor Volunteer
Fire & Rescue
Announces Public
Safety Officers for
2012
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February 4, 2012 - East Hanover VRS
The Hanover Rescue Squad Association
sponsored a seminary presented by Bedford
County’s Commonwealth Attorney Mr. Randy
Krantz, RN, EMT-P. The seminar was held
on February 4, 2012 entitled “Law,
Leadership, & Ethics Academy” in the East
Hanover VRS Training Room. Over 40
people attended the event that covered
proper selection, training, and retention of
personnel; personnel challenges,
opportunities and solutions; leadership,
management and followership; ethical decision making and risk management; application of legal and
ethical principles to leadership growth and development; identification of various leadership styles as
well as implementation of a Leadership Development Program.
The event was also attended by VAVRS R&R Chair Fran Phillips, VAVRS Secretary Connie Moore,
VAVRS District 4 Vice President Karen Wagner and VAVRS Chaplain and Editor Gary Dalton.
Mr. Randy Krantz (left and above center) with
event organizers Jon Von Hagel and Phil Childress
HANOVER RESCUE
SQUAD ASSOCIATION
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P a g e 3 1 M A R C H / A P R I L 2 0 1 2
60 years ago, the Virginia Beach Rescue Squad was formed by a core group of local citizens that
recognized the need for a volunteer ambulance service in the “village” of Virginia Beach.
In 1952, the Virginia Beach Volunteer Rescue Squad started out with 22 charter members, one
associate member and one used Cadillac ambulance. In the first year they answered a couple hundred
calls.
Today, this small seaside volunteer rescue
squad has grown to become one of the largest
volunteer rescue squads in the United States.
With nearly 250 members, two stations, eight
advanced life support ambulances [with two
more on order], Rescue 8 and Rescue 14
responded to nearly 13,000 nine one one calls
for help in 2011.
On January 7th 2012 four hundred people
gathered at The Cavalier Beach Club to
celebrate a remarkable 60 years of saving lives,
educating the public and building life long
friendships.
Virginia Beach Rescue Squad Celebrates
60 Years of Volunteer Service
Virginia Beach Rescue Squad recognized five volunteers for 35 years service.
Left to Right: Randy Pugh-Doris Foster-Jimmy Kellam-Bobby Hill & Jack Dye
The FOX and the Cadillac
Here are your humorous captions to this photo of VAVRS
Immediate Past President Steve Grayson at the Convention.
Fran to Ronnie, "See, when I blow in this ear, you can feel it on
the other side." Submitted by M. Ayers, Salem
Fran to Ronnie, “AHH, you have a boo-boo? Let me kiss it!”
Submitted by L Brown, Chancellor F&R
Dolphin to Fran and Ronnie, “This is too embarrassing, I am
turning my head because I can’t watch.” Submitted by
SpongeBob Rectanglepants
Fran to Ronnie, “Wait a minute, your not Tom Selleck. No
wonder my lips taste funny now.” Submitted by J.C.
Ronnie to Fran, “How come when you open your mouth near my
ear I can heart the ocean?” Submitted by Chevrolet Wirt
And the winner, ―Fran needs glasses and Ronnie needs a cold shower after this event!‖ Submitted
by R. Ranger
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In each of the 2012 issues
VIRGINIA LIFELINE we
have been having a photo
caption contest. This is our
last submission and we are
soliciting your humorous
captions to this photo. You
are asked to forward your
captions to this photo of
Matt Tatum, VAVRS
District 6 EVOC
Instructor Trainer.
All entries will be (after
censoring) printed.
Send your captions by
email to
P a g e 3 3 M A R C H / A P R I L 2 0 1 2
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One Saturday night, we got a call for a common syncopal episode. Once before, I went to a church for a
syncopal episode for a pastor who had passed out during a wedding. To my surprise, upon arrival we had
been invited to another wedding. This time it was not the pastor however it was the groom. As we
approached the incident, the groom was lying flat on his back with his neck stabilized by a member of
the wedding party. He seemed to be okay but we of course had to check it out to see what happened.
The information given to us revealed that right before the vows, the groom had passed out and struck
his head on the floor. He had a moderate laceration to the back of his head but was controlled. The
groom was awake and was talking to us and said he had just blacked out and doesn't remember what
exactly happened. As the call progress, we were informed that the wedding guest holding his neck was
an emergency room doctor. He had given us a quick summary of events that had happened that led up to
the syncopal episode. Routine trauma care, backboard stabilization, and C-spine precautions were
carried out for the patient. Even know the wedding ceremony's schedule had taking a detour, pictures
did not cease to be taken. Once the groom was back-boarded, we placed him on the stretcher and
prepared for transport. However, before we could transport, the doctor on scene advised us that the
couple would finish their vows. After hearing that request, the crew and I paused for a second. I
wasn't exactly sure what was about to take place, but I knew it was going to be memorable. Once we
had the groom on the stretcher, we lifted it about halfway and allowed the ceremony to continue. The
bride then came over and stood next to the groom. The pastor then continued with the ceremony while
the crew and I and the rest of the guests watched. About 5 minutes later while the groom was still on
the stretcher, the bride starts to get queasy. Before we knew it, the bride was as white as her dress
and required a chair so she could sit down. This call had turned into a two patient call now. The bride
was advised to relax and take deep breaths. The guests were concerned, but they couldn't refrain from
snapping photos of this very unusual event. The bride was then given some water and placed her on low
flow oxygen. Never in my life had I taken care of a bride or groom at a wedding but this particular
instance was a 2 for 1 deal. No matter the bride's lightheadedness, they had finished their vows and
kissed one another and it was official. The bride soon recovered and did not need further medical
attention; however, on the other hand, the groom was still in need of an examination. The newlyweds
were transported together in the ambulance to the hospital. One guest requested that they tie the
traditional cans and "Just Married" sign on the rear of the ambulance, but unfortunately that offer was
declined. Let it be known that Stuarts Draft Rescue
Squad crashed this lovely couple's wedding. When called
for a near fainting or syncopal episode at a church,
expect the unexpected. By: Logan Parker
Crew: Logan Parker; Sherri Strader; CT Cash; Charlie
Taylor; Harry East and Travis Roberson
District One News
Call of the Quarter -
Stuarts Draft Rescue Squad
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Submitted by R. Blake Byrd, Captain
Tappahannock Volunteer Rescue Squad, Essex County, Virginia
On Saturday January 14 and Sunday January 15,
2012, Tappahannock Volunteer Rescue Squad hosted
a Farm Machinery Extrication Class in Essex County
with a very successful turnout. Nineteen individuals from seven agencies in the
Commonwealth attended the two day program and successfully completed their
training in Farm Machinery Extrication.
Day 1 started off with the lecture portion of the class
highlighting the dangers of Farm Machinery and the hazards
it poses to rescuers. Many scenarios in the classroom were
used to illustrate the different types of incidents one may
find on a farm and how to safely manage a Farm Rescue
scene. After lunch, students took a fieldtrip to
Rappahannock Tractor Co. for an overview of the multiple
types of machinery that are located in the area and the
different forms of configurations unique to Agricultural
Equipment. Day 1 proved to be a success as students began
to grasp the concept of just how different a farm rescue is
from a vehicle rescue due to the weight of the equipment,
different steel composition, and overall construction of the
machines.
Day 2 proved to be
very challenging for
some, as
temperatures in the
morning were a cool
22 degrees in the
field. Students utilized farm equipment from Ellis Farms of
Champlain, Va. to complete their practical scenarios which
included: Tractor run over, patient entrapped under a loader,
patient trapped in a grain trailer, and multiple others. After
lunch, a final scenario of an overturned tractor with a patient
trapped underneath was set up. Students used techniques that
they had learned from the weekend to successfully remove the
patient in a timely manner. Tappahannock Rescue Squad would
like to thank Rappahannock Tractor Company, VAVRS, and Ellis
Farms as without their participation this program would not have
been possible.
District Eight News
V I R G I N I A L I F E L I N E
Submitted by Cindy Swann, VAVRS District Three Historian
District 3 meeting was held Saturday, February 4th at Providence
Forge VRS. We had a pretty good turnout considering the nasty
weather that everyone had to travel in again. Congratulations:
Providence Forge is approaching their 50th Anniversary.
Vernon Wilson our Alternate District VP conducted the meeting for
the first time in quite some time and did a great job. Tom and Anne
Gwaltney were unable to attend the meeting. Tom was asked to attend and participate at the Newport
News Shipyard Apprentice Graduation. Tom had been a teacher there for some time until he retired.
District 3’s Training Officer, Peggy Vorous
held a class on the up to date DNR (DDNR)
regulation. I got there late, but still got a
lot of information. For those that may not
be aware of the changes you can go on the
EMS web site and download all of the
information.
SUPER SATURDAY TRAINING SESSION
The Training will be held Saturday, May 5th
at Colonial Heights Technical Center. Peggy
Vorous has organized the training session
which will cover different categories. You
will receive CEU Credits. If you have any
questions Peggy can be reached at her E-
Mail address. [email protected]
Competition: Not enough members signed up
in order for us to have any competition.
Wish we could get back to the way it was
not to many years ago.
March 25th at 2pm, Colonial Heights VRS
will be having a Dedication for their New
Heavy Duty Ambulance at Dunlap Fire
Station, 215 Dunlap Fire Blvd, Colonial
Heights. They would like to have you join them. If you have any questions you can contact Kenny
Frenier at his E-Mail address. [email protected] or his Cell phone 804-720-4522
In talking to Ann Gwaltney, she is trying to find a Roanoke Collectable Ambulance Bank. If there is
anyone that may know where she could obtain one of these banks, please contact her. Anne would very
much appreciate it. You can reach her at her E-Mail address [email protected]
As always we had drawings for gifts and for Walmart Gift Certificates. Also had the 50-50 raffle.
P a g e 3 7 M A R C H / A P R I L 2 0 1 2
District Three News
V I R G I N I A L I F E L I N E
the hospital. Later, I visited him, he was calm
and I asked him why he struggled so. He said,
"I remembered the impact, then nothing. I
woke up on a concrete slab in front of a huge,
flashing sign and it scared me to death." Turns
out somebody was standing in front of the 'S'
on the 'Shell' station sign across the road.
Dear Rescue Ranger,
I heard you were afraid of doctors. How can
that be true? You, the great Rescue Ranger,
that has seen and done everything, cannot be
afraid of the very medical professionals that
are essential to EMS and Prehospital care.
OMD from Eastern Shore
Dear OMD
Again, it wasn’t me. I was telling the story at a
recent installation banquet about my good
friend Kelly. During her annual checkup, this
handsome woman was asked to disrobe and
climb onto the examining table. She said,
"Doctor, I just can't undress in front of you."
"That's all right," said the physician, "I'll flick
off the lights. You get undressed and tell me
when you're through."
In a few moments, her voice rang out in the
darkness, "Doctor, I've undressed. What
should I do with my clothes?"
"Your clothes?" answered the doctor. "Put them
over here, on top of mine!"
Dear Rescue Ranger,
Heard your wife was quoted saying, Mr. Potato
Head is the perfect man?
Mo from Manassas
Dear Mo,
Yes she did. She says he’s tan, he’s cute and if
he looks at another woman, you can rearrange
his face.
V I R G I N I A L I F E L I N E
P a g e 3 8 M A R C H / A P R I L 2 0 1 2
Dear Rescue Ranger,
What has been happening? I hear you had a near
death experience? What was that all about?
John from East Hanover
Dear John
It wasn’t me...I was just telling the story at a recent
installation banquet about my good friend Rickey.
It was about a week before that he had a near death
experience that has changed him forever. He went
horseback riding. Everything was going fine until the
horse started bouncing out of control. He tried with
all his might to hang on, but was thrown off. Just
when things could not possibly get worse, his foot
got caught in the stirrup. When this happened, he
fell head first to the ground. His head continued to
bounce harder as the horse did not stop or even slow
down. Just as he was giving up hope and losing
consciousness, the WalMart manager came and
unplugged it.
Dear Rescue Ranger,
We went on a very strange call last week. A local
man was found murdered in his home. The police
wanted us to examine the body in order to establish
that he was indeed dead. The man was face down in
his bath tub. The tub had been filled with milk and
corn flakes, and the deceased had a banana in one
hand and blueberries in his other hand. They believe
there was foul play. What do you think?
Greg from Covington
Dear Greg,
Sounds like the work of a cereal killer.
Dear Rescue Ranger,
Heard you had recently experienced a very
combative patient that was injured in a motor vehicle
collision. Story goes that he fought you all the way
to the hospital. Did you every find out why he was
so aggressive. My guess it was a head injury.
Jane from Powhatan
Dear Baby Jane,
The story is true. I wondered the same thing. The
patient was driving to work when a truck ran a stop
sign, hit his car broadside, and knocked him cold.
Passer-bys pulled him from the wreck and revived
him. He began a terrific struggle and we had to
sedate him. He still fought with me all the way to ―I plan on living forever. So far, so good.‖
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PO Box 279
2535 Turkey Creek Road
Oilville, VA 23129
ISSN 0279-6023
Phone: 804-749-8191
Phone: 800-833-0602
Fax: 804-749-8910
E-mail: [email protected]
"Greater Love Hath No
Man Than This, That A
Man Lay down His Life
For His Friends."
- St. John 15:13
Virginia Association of Volunteer Rescue
Squads, Inc.
Important VAVRS News VAVRS implemented a workgroup to study and provide assistance to struggling EMS agencies.
The group, Volunteer Rescue Squad Assistance Work Group (VRSAWG) are in their pilot
project phase of operation. Look for more information at the April 14, 2012 Spring BOG
Meeting
VAVRS Rescue College (June 9-17, 2012) Brochure is available from the VAVRS State Office
and Training Center and can be downloaded from the VAVRS website.
The VAVRS Convention Housing Bureau information is also posted on www.vavrs.com.
Important changes to the VAVRS Bylaws are being considered at the April 14, 2012 Spring
BOG Meeting….make every effort to attend.
The VAVRS representatives to the State EMS Advisory Board are soliciting questions,
comments and concerns regarding the implementation of NEMSIS Version 3 beginning January
2013. Contact Dreama Chandler ([email protected]) or Wayne Myers ([email protected])
Sample resolutions designating EMS agencies within their jurisdictions are available for
download at www.vavrs.com
Plan now for EMS Week May 20-26, 2012
