Our Services

The Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad is one of most advanced and best trained rescue squads in the nation. The Rescue Squad never charges for its services.  We provide a full range of emergency medical and rescue services, including the following:

Ambulances respond to many types of medical emergencies, including illnesses, injuries, and vehicle collisions.   Ambulances are staffed by Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs). We have three ambulances at our headquarters at Old Georgetown Road and Battery Lane. A fourth ambulance/medic unit operates from Bethesda Fire Department Station 26 on Democracy Boulevard near Montgomery Mall.

Advanced Life Support (Medic) Units are specially-equipped ambulances staffed by Paramedics who are trained in such lifesaving skills as cardiac defibrillation and the administration of drugs. More than 30 Rescue Squad paramedics staff three medic units.

Heavy Rescue Services are provided by Rescue Squad members trained as Firefighter/Rescuers who operate out of two heavy rescue squads. All Rescue Squad Firefighter/Rescuers are also certified as Emergency Medical Technicians and are trained to provide emergency medical care at the scene and on the way to the hospital. At a vehicle collision, the Rescue Squad’s crew rescues victims from the wreckage. At a fire, the crew rescues people trapped in the building and assists other fire department crews in extinguishing the fire and mitigating property damage.  Heavy rescue squads respond to many other types of calls requiring specialized rescue services, including confined space rescues, water rescues, and technical rope rescues.  Stuck elevators, activated fire alarms and sprinkler systems, and suspected gas leaks are among the many other types of calls for which the Rescue Squad responds.   

Bicycle Emergency Response Team (BERT)  The Rescue Squad's BERT Team provides emergency medical services at special events throughout the year.   On their bicycles, members of BERT can gain quick access to sick and injured spectators or event participants and provide immediate first aid and medical care. Every member of BERT is a professionally trained Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), and each team of two riders is equipped with an automated external defibrillator (AED) and other supplies necessary to treat patients.  Click here for more information on the BERT Team.