Saving Taxpayers More Than $4m in Personnel Costs Each Year
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THROUGH THE DEDICATION OF MORE THAN 150 ACTIVE VOLUNTEERS, THE RESCUE SQUAD SAVES COMMUNITY TAXPAYERS MORE THAN $4 MILLION IN PERSONNEL COSTS EACH YEAR
The Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad receives $1.8 million a year in contributions from residents and businesses and grants from community-minded organizations. These contributions, in conjunction with other gifts, bequests, and occasional State and Federal grants, fund the bulk of our $2 million budget.
Although our professionally trained volunteer Emergency Medical Technicians, Paramedics, and Firefighters provide their services at no cost to the community, the cost of operating one of the nation’s most advanced and best-trained rescue squads continues to rise. On the average, we need to replace one of our seven ambulance/medic units every other year, at a cost of $320,000, in order to keep serving the community with a top-notch fleet. Payroll for our employees (who staff our apparatus during the day, when many of our volunteers are at work or school) and administrative personnel will top $600,000 this year. We will spend $80,000 this year on fuel for our emergency vehicles and almost $70,000 to heat and cool our station. Other major expenses include insurance, vehicle maintenance, and medical supplies.
Many services, including High-Angle Rescue, and free non-emergency ambulance transport, would not be possible without the commitment of 150 professionally-trained volunteers and the generous donations we receive from the community. The Rescue Squad subscribes to the Donor Bill of Rights, a set of fundraising principles designed to ensure good stewardship of donated funds and accountability in nonprofit management.
