September 27, 2006
For immediate release

NEWS RELEASE

Contact:Assistant Chief Johnie Roth
(301) 652-0077

Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad Celebrates the Return of "Rescue 15."
Restoration of Historic 1972 Cadillac Ambulance Completed.

The Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad (BCCRS), one of the nation's most advanced and best-trained rescue squads, recently celebrated the return of “Rescue 15,” the Squad’s 1972 Cadillac ambulance, after a 1½-year-long restoration.  Rescue 15 is a favorite of kids and families at open houses and parades and evokes the excitement of a bygone era, when the Rescue Squad’s entire fleet consisted of fast, sleek Cadillac ambulances.  The entire cost of the $65,000 restoration was borne by the  Alumni Association of the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad, a group of current and former BCCRS volunteer members.   The Association tapped its own members and friends to fund the restoration.  Rescue 15 will make its public debut at the Rescue Squad’s free annual “Rescue Day” open house, October 7, 2006, from 11 am to 4 pm.  

Rescue 15 was the last Cadillac ambulance to be in service in the Squad’s fleet.    It was  purchased new in 1972 and served until 1975.  Built on a Cadillac chassis by the Miller-Meteor Company, it represents the state of the art in ambulance design during the late 1960s and early 1970s.  The ambulance responded to approximately 4,600 emergency incidents over the course of three years. 

By 1974, however, the Rescue Squad began acquiring the more spacious “box”-type ambulances, built on a pickup truck chassis, in order to facilitate better patient care and adapt to evolving medical standards.  After 1975,  Rescue 15 served as a reserve ambulance as part of BCCRS’s fleet.   Since 1985, Rescue 15 has served in a ceremonial function at Squad open houses, parades, and funeral processions.

 “As a result of the restoration, Rescue 15 looks the same as it did 34 years ago when it was placed in service as a front-line ambulance,” stated Donald FitzGerald, president of the BCCRS Alumni Association.  Although its tailfins and high roofline seem overly stylized by today’s standards, the ambulance represents the state of the art for its time.  The unit’s medical equipment is original for the period, including a stretcher, oxygen resuscitator, and first-aid equipment.   The unit’s siren, red beacon ray emergency lights, and white oscillating “Mars” light operate just as they did in 1972.     

The designation “Rescue 15" has its origin in the apparatus numbering system then in use in Montgomery County, in which ambulances belonging to rescue companies were designated by the term “rescue,” instead of “ambulance,” as is the case today.

In 1978, current and former members of the Rescue Squad founded the Alumni Association of the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad to preserve the Squad’s history, to support the operations of the Rescue Squad, and to perpetuate the bonds of friendship among long-time Squad members.  Through its annual Crab Feasts, Shrimp/Oyster Roasts, and other events, the Association has raised over $200,000 for the benefit of the Rescue Squad.  The Rescue Squad uses these funds for its operating and capital costs. 

For more information on the Rescue Squad’s “Rescue Day” open house, October 7, 2006, at which Rescue 15 will make its public debut, Click Here.

Now in its 67th year, BCCRS is a community-supported non-profit organization that provides free emergency fire, rescue, and ambulance 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 direct tax funds.  Instead, BCCRS raises almost all of its $1.4 million operating budget from individual donors, foundations, and businesses.  BCCRS is registered under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, and contributions to BCCRS are tax-deductible as allowable by law.

BCCRS’s fleet includes 7 medic/ambulance units, 2 heavy rescue squads, an air support unit and rescue air compressor trailer for refilling firefighters’ breathing apparatus at fire scenes, a medic “chase” car, and various command and utility vehicles.  BCCRS responds on all types of emergency incidents, including injuries, illnesses, heart attacks, vehicle collisions, house fires, and many others.    

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