March 17, 2008

For immediate release

NEWS RELEASE

Contact: Assistant Chief Donald Greene
(301) 652-0077
media@bccrs.org

Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad Volunteers

Honored in Graduation Ceremony

Members of the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad (BCCRS), one of the nation's most advanced and best-trained rescue squads, were honored in spring graduation ceremonies at the Montgomery County (Md.) Fire and Rescue Training Academy on March 14, 2008.

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

Rescue Squad volunteer Emily Rogell was the top performer in her class and carried on the BCCRS tradition of excellence by receiving the A. Marvin Gibbons Award for outstanding academic performance in Montgomery County's rigorous Essentials of Firefighting Class.

Rescue Squad volunteers Rita DeLaroca and Henrike Veith also completed the Essentials of Firefighting Class. The 120-hour firefighter's course consists of extensive classroom instruction as well as physically demanding practical training, including live firefighting exercises. Training includes not only extinguishing fires, but also skills needed to address a variety of emergency situations involving hazardous materials, electrical equipment, fire alarm and sprinkler systems, and many others.

BCCRS volunteers Hilary Gates, Dean Ho, Jennifer Hoffman, Karima Hurt, Meghan Miller, Valerie Smith, Hahn Soe-Lin, Tamara Tatunchak, and Jill Weaver completed the Emergency Medical Technician-Basic (EMT-B) class. EMT-B is the first level of formalized medical training required for all Rescue Squad volunteers. The training program consists of over 130 hours of classroom time coupled with additional in-hospital clinical requirements and 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).

All Rescue Squad volunteers and staff receive professional training and meet or exceed state standards before responding to emergency calls.

Now in its 68th year, BCCRS is a community-supported non-profit organization that provides, at no charge to the recipient, professional emergency medical, ambulance, rescue, and fire services to the Bethesda-Chevy Chase, Maryland area, as well as upper Northwest Washington, D.C. Thanks to the generous donations of the community, the efforts of 150 professionally trained volunteers, and a staff of daytime employees, BCCRS has evolved into one of the nation's most advanced rescue squads, providing compassionate, life-saving services to the community. BCCRS does not receive regular budgeted funds from any government. Instead, BCCRS raises almost all of its $1.5 million operating budget from individual donors, foundations, businesses, and occasional state and federal grants. BCCRS is registered under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, and contributions to BCCRS are tax-deductible as allowable by law.

For information on volunteering with BCCRS, 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.

BCCRS’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. BCCRS responds on all types of emergency incidents, including injuries, illnesses, heart attacks, vehicle collisions, and house fires.

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