April 23, 2010

Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad Observes

National Volunteer Appreciation Week, April 18 - 24

Squad marks 20th anniversary of

President George H.W. Bush's visit and naming as a "Point of Light"

The Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad, one of the nation's most advanced and best trained rescue squads, observes National Volunteer Appreciation Week, April 18-24, as well as the 20th anniversary of President George H.W. Bush's visit to the Squad. 

The Rescue Squad invites men and women 18 years or older who want to experience the excitement of responding to emergency calls and serving the community to volunteer a minimum of 12 hours a week as Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), Paramedics, or Firefighters.

The Rescue Squad has an extremely diverse membership that includes people of all ages and cultural backgrounds, and professions ranging from accountants to full-time parents and government employees to school teachers. The Rescue Squad’s 150 volunteers make a valuable contribution to the community, and they gain essential training and rewarding life experiences.

Applicants need no prior experience or training to join the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad.    Prospective EMTs, Paramedics, and Firefighters receive free, professional training at the Montgomery County Public Safety Training Academy, as well as annual physicals. Members have opportunities to receive further specialized training in such areas as emergency medicine, firefighting, swift-water rescue, and rope rescue.

For information on volunteering, call the membership hotline at 301-657-5557, email membership@bccrs.org, or visit www.bccrs.org. The Rescue Squad recruits volunteer members year-round and welcomes applications for membership anytime.

National Volunteer Appreciation Week

This year the Rescue Squad observes National Volunteer Appreciation Week from April 18 to 24. National Volunteer Appreciation Week was created in 1974 by executive order of President Richard Nixon as an annual celebration of volunteering.    

In commemorating this year's National Volunteer week, President Obama stated:

The American story is a story of volunteers -- of patriots who fought for our founding ideals, of people who marched for justice, of firefighters who rushed into burning towers, and of ordinary citizens who lifted up struggling communities. . . .  During National Volunteer Week, we honor the ordinary people who give of themselves to accomplish extraordinary things, and we encourage more Americans to strengthen our country by volunteering."  

(Presidential Proclamation, National Volunteer Week, April 16, 2010.   Full text at http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/presidential-proclamation-national-volunteer-week)

For data regarding volunteering in American and changes in the numbers of volunteers and different causes people have volunteered for during the past 20 years, visit:

http://www.pointsoflight.org/ideas-and-insights/facts-about-american-volunteerism

A Presidential Visit

This year marks the 20th anniversary of President George H.W. Bush's visit to the Rescue Squad and his naming the Rescue Squad as a "Point of Light."   To read more, click here. 

About the Rescue Squad

Now in its 70th 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.

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