BCCRS Responds to Almost 9,000 Calls in 2025
BCCRS Responds to Almost 9,000 Calls in 2025
2% Jump Continues Trend Over Past 9 Years
ethesda, MD.–The EMTs, paramedics, and firefighters of the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad (BCCRS) responded to 8,991 calls (unit responses) in 2025 – an average of more than one call every hour of every day (i.e., 24+ calls/day). Call volume jumped 2% compared to 2024, the highest since 2016, with increases in calls for unconscious persons/decreased levels of consciousness, overdoses, and structure fires.
Once again, automobile crashes were the second most common emergency for BCCRS, with BCCRS ambulances, heavy rescue trucks, and command vehicles responding to 941 such incidents last year. Eighty-four (84) of these crashes were dispatched with a report of a person trapped or otherwise seriously injured, up significantly from last year (58). A significant number resulted in less serious injuries but still required emergency care and transport to a local hospital.
As with fire/rescue departments throughout the country, more than 80% of the Rescue Squad’s calls in 2024 were for emergency medical calls, while 152 of incidents involved a report of a fire in a home, high-rise or other building compared to 145 in 2024.
Among the most common type of other calls to which BCCRS units responded in 2024 included:
- Unconscious or decreased level of consciousness (941)
- Cardiac, chest pain, and stroke emergencies (670)
- Pedestrian/cyclist struck by a vehicle (52)
These numbers reflect the commitment of BCCRS’s highly trained emergency services personnel, as well as the need for increased community safety and health efforts to reduce the number of crashes, fires and medical emergencies.
“Many of our most serious calls, including car crashes and pedestrians hit by vehicles, are preventable,” said BCCRS Chief Edward G. (“Ned”) Sherburne. “We all want our community to be safe, so we urge residents and visitors to avoid distracted driving, slow down when weather conditions are dangerous, look out for pedestrians. We also purge drivers to watch out for emergency vehicles operating on roadways to protect first responders and others.”
“BCCRS’s 8,991 calls in 2025 reflect the growing needs of our community and the extraordinary commitment of our volunteers and career staff,” said Jennison. “As part of Montgomery County’s fire and rescue system, we remain focused on providing the highest standard of care to Bethesda, Chevy Chase, and beyond. Whether responding to emergencies or supporting our neighbors and visitors, our team continues to deliver lifesaving assistance with resilience, compassion, and expertise.”
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Founded in 1937, the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad provides state-of-the-art emergency medical, fire, and rescue services to the Bethesda-Chevy Chase area and surrounding Maryland communities. BCCRS is managed entirely and staffed primarily by more than 100 active volunteer paramedics, firefighters and emergency medical technicians. BCCRS is fully integrated into the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS) department. To speak to one of our volunteers, take a station tour, or get more information about volunteering at BCCRS, visit our new-and-improved website at www.bccrs.org or send an email to feedback@bccrs.org