July 2, 2009

For immediate release

NEWS RELEASE

Contact:

Kumar Vaswani
media@bccrs.org

Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad Members Take Top Honors

in Graduation Ceremonies 

Members of the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue

Front row:  Howard Weinstein, Evelyn Rivera, and Sarah Hodges; Back row:  Patrick Thomas and Victoria Rudd.

Squad (BCCRS), one of the nation's most advanced and best-trained rescue squads, were honored in graduation ceremonies at the Montgomery County (Md.) Fire and Rescue Training Academy on June 26, 2009.

Thirteen Rescue Squad volunteers were recognized for completing training programs to become Emergency Medical Technicians, Paramedics, or Firefighters.

Rescue Squad Volunteer Howard Weinstein completed 982 hours of classwork to attain Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic (EMT-P) status. EMT-P certification is the highest level of medical training for pre-hospital care providers at the Rescue Squad. EMT-Ps are trained to treat life-threatening conditions and administer specialized drugs to patients experiencing health emergencies. Skills include cardiac monitoring, 12-lead EKG interpretation, and administering IVs.

Volunteer Jason Gill completed the Emergency Medical Technician-Intermediate (EMT-I) class. EMT-I certification requires 540 hours of classroom time and includes many of the skills required of EMT-Ps.

Rescue Squad volunteers Patrick Thomas and Elizabeth Friedman were the top
performers in their respective classes and carried on the Rescue Squad tradition of excellence by
receiving the Richard B. Thompson Award for outstanding academic performance in Montgomery County's Emergency Medical Technician-Basic Class. EMT-B is the first level of formalized medical training required for all Rescue Squad volunteers. The training program consists of 131 hours of classroom time, in-hospital clinical requirements, and testing, in addition to countless hours spent riding Rescue Squad ambulances on actual emergency calls. EMT-Bs perform a variety of skills, including patient assessment, basic life support, and use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs). Rescue Squad volunteers Sarah Hodges, Jeffrey Michaels, Alissa Parmelee, Claire Perna, Evelyn Rivera, and Victoria Rudd also completed the EMT-B class.

Rescue Squad volunteers Robert Dinkelspiel, Meghan Miller, and Valerie Smith completed Montgomery County’s rigorous Firefighting Class. The 162-hour course consists of extensive classroom instruction as well as physically demanding practical training, including live firefighting exercises. Training includes not only extinguishing fires, search and rescue techniques, and incident command, but also skills needed to address a variety of emergency situations involving hazardous materials, electrical equipment, fire alarm and sprinkler systems, and many others.

All Rescue Squad volunteers and staff receive professional training and meet or exceed state standards before taking charge on emergency calls.

About the B-CC Rescue Squad

Now in its 69th year, the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad is a community-supported non-profit organization that provides, at no charge to the recipient, professional fire, rescue, and emergency medical services to the Bethesda-Chevy Chase, Maryland area, as well as Upper Northwest Washington, D.C. The spirit, commitment, dedication, and operational skills of its members are the defining characteristics of the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad. The Squad provides the community with the security and peace of mind that comes with emergency services that are among the best in the United States.

The Rescue Squad does not receive regular budgeted funds from any government. Instead, the Squad raises almost all of its $2 million operating budget from individual donors, foundations, businesses, and occasional state and federal grants. The Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad is registered under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, and contributions to the Squad are tax-deductible as allowable by law.

For information on volunteering with the B-CC Rescue Squad, call the membership hotline at 301-657-5557, email us at membership@bccrs.org , or visit www.bccrs.org. BCCRS welcomes new volunteers year-round. No experience is necessary, and volunteers receive free professional training as well as annual physicals.

The B-CC Rescue Squad’s fleet includes 7 ambulance/medic units, 2 heavy rescue squads, 2 air support units for refilling firefighters’ breathing apparatus at fire scenes, and various command and utility vehicles. The Squad responds to all types of emergency incidents, including injuries, illnesses, heart attacks, vehicle collisions, house fires, and many others.

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