Letter to the Editor

Another busy year for Rescue Squad

Friday, February 3, 2012

To the editor:

This past year has been a busy one for the Squad. All of our team members are volunteers and respond at all times during the day or night ready to do whatever it takes to complete the response required.

Our ambulances responded to calls when the two paramedic services were busy and unable to dispatch a unit. On 49 of these runs, patients were transported to the hospital for emergency care. Another 20 times we responded and the patients refused care or we were only needed to help load obese patients into the paramedic service ambulances.

The Squad provided extrication and set up landing zones 11 times during the year.

During 2011, the Squad assisted the Blytheville Police Department in the land search for Mr. Adams. This is still an open case, and we are ready to continue whenever needed. We also provided two dragging crews to work with the Dunklin County Sherriff's Department during the search for the Rodriguez family's little girl. On another water search, the Mississippi County Sheriff's Departments helicopter located two boaters that were able to make it to an island after the boat they were in capsized. The helicopter crew directed us to them and our boats were able to reach them and bring them back to the landing and their families.

Many hours are required each year to support community activities such as the fundraisers for the children at St. Jude, The Cancer Society, March of Dimes, Mayfest on Main, Chili Cookoff and Kiwanis Fishing Rodeo.

To do all this takes equipment and training. Hundreds of hours are spent by members every year to maintain and train on the equipment. Every year we give a first responder class for new members. Everyone gets hands-on training on our equipment and how to assist EMTs and paramedics. This year's class will begin soon.

Again, this year we have had tremendous support from the community. Companies have helped us replace an old vehicle, mechanics have repaired and helped keep other vehicles able to respond quickly when needed, individuals and businesses have donated resources in response to our annual fund raiser and new members have joined us with new ideas and enthusiasm, helping to keep the Squad successful.

For all these reasons the Squad thanks everyone who has helped us. If you would like more information or if there is some way we can help you, please call Mike Godsey at 870-740-2248, Bernard Beecy at 870-623-0714 or if it is an emergency, call 911 or 870-762-5506. Come by and see us at 200 Chickasawba and see if we can provide a service that will help you.

Bernard Beecy
Captain, 2011

Mike Godsey
Captain, 2012