Newsletter - February 2008
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1. Ambulance Fees Pose a Threat in 2008; Will you have to pay a 9-1-1 tax?
The Montgomery County Executive is considering a new proposal to raise revenue by charging County residents a fee for ambulance service in 2008. Ambulance service in Montgomery County is funded by taxes and donations and is currently provided at no charge to those who call for help. An ambulance fee imposes an additional burden on County residents and has the potential for discouraging many, particularly the elderly, the poor, the under-insured, and those with insurance co-pays and deductibles, from calling 9-1-1.
A resident experiencing a heart attack, stroke, or other life-threatening emergency should not have to check his or her insurance card–or savings account–before calling 9-1-1. This is a basic public service, and we shouldn’t impose a separate tax on those who call 9-1-1.
For more information, and to learn how to stop the ambulance fee, click here.
2. Annual door-to-door campaign wraps up
The Rescue Squad's 67th annual door-to-door fundraising campaign is concluding. Unlike your local fire department, the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad does not receive an appropriated budget from any government. Our Annual Fund Drive raises the majority of our $1.5 million annual operating budget.
If you missed our uniformed volunteers this past fall, please use the postage-paid envelope inside the booklet that was left at your residence to mail in your contribution. The Rescue Squad does not use paid solicitors to go door-to-door or employ telemarketers for our Annual Fund Drive.
Read more.
3. “Rescue Squad 741 is responding.”
At a replacement cost of approximately $1 million, the rescue squad truck is easily the most expensive piece of equipment that the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad maintains. Essentially, it is a massive toolbox packed with rescue equipment, including powerful hydraulic tools and medical gear.
The Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad owns two squad trucks – "Rescue Squad 741" and "Rescue Squad 741B." These trucks are staffed by firefighters who receive not only the same extensive fire training that every other firefighter receives, but also specialized training in a variety of special rescue operations. All members are also Emergency Medical Technicians trained to render emergency medical care on any incident to which they may be dispatched. Read more.
4. Volunteer - the experience of a lifetime
It’s 4:27 p.m. and the alarm sounds. The call is a multiple car accident on the Beltway. They need your help. You jump into action with the rest of the Squad.
Nothing can match your excitement when you hear the alarm. The exhilaration of diving into your gear and running for the ambulance or the squad truck. The satisfaction of knowing that you may save a life tonight.
No experience is needed. You will receive free training leading to certification as an Emergency Medical Technician, Firefighter, or Paramedic, as well as annual physicals. Volunteers are required to stand duty one night per week at our station. Interested in becoming a volunteer? Find out more.
5. Shrimp and Oyster Feast: This Sunday March 2
The Alumni Association of the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad will hold its annual
Shrimp and Oyster Feast on Sunday, March 2, from 1:00 to 5:00 PM.
Tickets are $40 per person for a delicious all-you-can eat buffet and must be purchased in advance
by calling 301-977-6634. We hope you will join us.
Click here for more information.
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Now in its 68th year, the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad is a philanthropically operated, community supported organization that provides, at no cost to the recipient, the highest level of emergency medical, ambulance, rescue, and fire service for the greater Bethesda-Chevy Chase, Maryland, and Upper Northwest Washington, D.C. communities. For more information, visit www.bccrs.org. This newsletter is not intended to solicit contributions outside of Maryland or the
District of Columbia.
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Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad
Email:info@bccrs.org
Web: http://www.bccrs.org
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